“Prisoners on both sides have been beaten and subjected to mock executions. We have also documented summary killings of those held by separatist groups. It is a war crime to torture or deliberately kill captives taken during conflict.

“Pro-Kyiv and separatist forces alike must put an end to these crimes and ensure that all fighters under their control are aware of the consequences under international law of abusing prisoners amid an armed conflict. The Ukrainian authorities must investigate all allegations of war crimes and other abuses, open files and collect evidence of abuses by separatist forces and bring to justice all those responsible for perpetrating such heinous acts.”

Out of 33 former prisoners interviewed by Amnesty International, 32 described severe beatings or other serious abuse being meted out by separatist and pro-Kyiv groups alike. All of them were held captive at some point between July 2014 and April 2015, and the organization conducted most of the interviews in March, April and May of this year.

Amnesty International corroborated the victims’ testimonies against additional evidence, including x-rays of broken bones, hospital records, photographs of bruises and other injuries, scars, and missing teeth. Two of the victims were still nursing their wounds in hospital at the time of their interviews.

A broad range of captors aligned with both sides in the conflict are allegedly carrying out this torture and ill-treatment. Of the former prisoners Amnesty International interviewed, 17 had been held by separatists and 16 by pro-Kyiv military and law enforcement officials, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/news/2015/05/ukraine-new-evidence-prisoners-tortured-and-killed-amid-conflict/

After fierce fighting with a Russian diversion reconnaissance group (DRG) in the vicinity of the town of Shchastya on Saturday April 16, 2015, two Russian soldiers were captured – a captain and a sergeant – both of the Spetsnaz GRU unit from Tolyatti, Samara Oblast, Russia. Both were wounded, although severity of their wounds is unknown at this time. The total loss of Russian attackers is also to be determined. Three Ukrainians soldiers were killed and three wounded in the battle. Ukrainian military units that participated in the battle were troops from the 92 Brigade, 8th Regiment and Aidar Battalion.

https://en.informnapalm.org/ukrainian-military-destroys-a-russian-spetsnaz-incursion-into-shchastya-and-captures-two-wounded-spetsnaz-troops/

Russian Spetsnaz POW interrogated by Ukrainians (en subs)
https://www.youtube.cm/watch?v=2fSP6-Ldg3Q

Report: Hasty withdrawal of Russian Spetsnaz from Luhansk may be because of threat of rebellion from the unit.

Previously, it was assumed that such a hasty withdrawal happened because of the disclosure of information on the size, location, and mission of the Russian reconnaissance unit, but the real reasons were much more serious. A former serviceman of the 3rd Spetsnaz Brigade, close to military personnel of the brigade, told the story on condition of anonymity.

Upon arrival at home base, the troops returning from the “Ukrainian assignment” were quartered in separate barracks. Almost all cell phones and other electronic gadgets were taken from them. All attempts were taken to isolate them and prevent any contact with their comrades, family, and friends. On the same day, a group of representatives from the Russian Defense Ministry and people in plain clothes arrived in Tolyatti.

A wave of discontent and indignation arose among enlisted personnel and junior commissioned officers due to the fact that the State, in particular, the command of the Defense Ministry, gave up on their comrades. The greatest outrage was provoked by a statement that the captured in Ukraine servicemen were supposedly discharged before their assignment, and a campaign to discredit them by the Russian government began, involving members of their families.

The command of the brigade and high-ranking officials from General Staff became very concerned with the low level of morale and dissension among the brigade’s personnel. Immediately, identification of the disgruntled and disillusioned began. The rumors of a possible disbandment of the unit, in which the captured soldiers served, spread quickly.

The growing discontent among soldiers and junior officers forced the command to voice another, milder version of the future of the unit. The remaining personnel of the failed group will be dispersed among other units of the brigade. Those who wish to leave military service will be given that opportunity under certain conditions, such as signing a non-disclosure agreement and a temporary ban on travel abroad. “Sanctions” are also expected against commanders who led the reconnaissance and diversionary units and groups during the assignment. At the very least, they may be transferred to other, less prestigious locations; and in the worst case scenario, they can be eliminated, depending on further developments.

https://en.informnapalm.org/russian-special-forces-from-luhansk/

Ukraine says Russia tried to kill captured Russian soldiers

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/18/us-ukraine-crisis-military-klimkin-idUSKBN0O31KH20150518

Both captured Russian soldiers denied that they were released from the Russian army. http://t.co/lp7XrOe4JH pic.twitter.com/lg78q75gVJ

— Onlinemagazin (@OnlineMagazin) May 22, 2015

(As claimed by the Kremlin)

"I am a serving soldier. I went (to Ukraine) under orders. Why are they disowning us?" Powerful @novaya_gazeta i/v http://t.co/q9hUpbhpYp

— Ben Nimmo (@benimmo) May 22, 2015

I’ve heard conflicting headlines:

1) that he was eliminated by Russian special forces for not listening to them.

2) that he was killed by the insurgency.

Russian Deputy PM @Rogozin reacts to #Eurorvision loss with grace by saying West will collapse under 'ISIS & Gays'. pic.twitter.com/llLQNZCQ2W

— Vladimir Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) May 24, 2015

All four of the men, and many other Black Tulips, were members of a group known as the National Memory Union, which scoured World War II battlefields for the remains of unidentified soldiers. The actual number of soldiers killed from 1941-45 far surpassed the official statistics, and the National Memory Union volunteers were determined to return those left behind to their families, even if it was 70 years late.

Today, the Black Tulips’ mission is no longer historical. They search through the remnants of bombed out tanks, blown-apart armored personal carriers and blackened sunflower fields in eastern Ukraine, looking for their compatriots who, like them, probably never thought that they’d see such a brutal war fought in post-Soviet Ukraine.

“Sometimes you get to a battlefield, and you can’t believe it’s 2015,” said Serhei Tkalenko, 50, another one of Sholkovsky’s teammates. “It looks like more like something out of 1942. It’s shocking what we’ve seen out there.”

http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/5/19/if-not-us-then-who-in-ukraine-volunteers-collect-soldiers-bodies.html

http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2015/may/21/ukrainian-commander-says-captured-drones-are-russian-video

http://www.erich-hartmann.com/ukrainskiy-ptur-nakryl-poziciyu-russk/

http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/05/01/putins-boy-scout-army-russia-military-patriotic-clubs-ukraine/

(duh)

“The idea is that they will do their job, to insist on inspections and fast reports… They are just not able to do that because the team includes the Russians. When I was in Mariupol, the number of Russian observers was much higher than [the number of] representatives of other countries. They went near the positions of the Ukrainian military and input the coordinates of their location in their mobile phones. The OSCE is not an independent body.”

Karber presented a map of the inspections agreed by the OSCE, which clearly indicates that the inspectors did not have access to the Russian-Ukrainian border, through which the main transfer of Russian military equipment and soldiers has been carried out to the Donbas.

In another border area, the OSCE representatives could stay only 25% of the time, while having to notify the other party in advance, the military expert stated. In other parts of the region, the OSCE can stay only 50% of the time, Karber said.

Read more on UNIAN: http://www.unian.info/war/1078433-us-expert-osce-in-ukraine-hamstrung-by-russian-members-of-monitoring-team.html

Russia as always, grappling with culture and identity (and losing miserably)…

“Blind to class boundaries and races . . . .”

On April 29, the self-proclaimed government of the Donetsk People’s Republic announced it had expelled seven Western aid workers accused of spying. But that was a lie. Only the five European aid workers detained were let go, while two Americans — a doctor and a humanitarian worker with the International Rescue Committee — were kept for nine more days. During that period, a network of aid groups and international organizations worked quietly behind the scenes to secure their release. They were finally freed on May 8.

What’s never been reported is that during those tense days, Kerry personally intervened and raised the issue over the phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, asking him to use Moscow’s influence over the Donetsk separatists to secure the release of the two Americans, a senior administration official told us. Several diplomatic sources told us that Lavrov came through, making it clear to the Donetsk leadership that holding the Americans longer was not a good idea.

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-05-19/kerry-helped-free-u-s-spies-trapped-in-ukraine

ПРОДОЛЖАЯ ПУБЛИЧНЫЙ ПАРАД ВЗЯТОЧНИКОВ..
Кривой рог.

Сегодня задержали главу Дзержинского районного совета г. Кривой рог Степанюка Сергея Дмитриевича в порядке ст.208 КПК ( с поличным, на месте совершения преступления), по ст. 368. ч.3 . КПК (от 5 до 10 лет).

Задержанному вменяется подозрение в злоупотреблении служебном положении, получении взятки в 60 000 гривен за выдачу разрешения на размещение торговых киосков.

За указанием взяточника деньги были перечислены на расчетный счет брата его жены. Это не помогло злоумышленнику избежать наказания.

Степанюка задержали в служебном кабинете, при передаче разрешительных документов. Персональная охрана чиновника пыталась оказать сопротивление оперативникам – была локализована. Непосредственно в кабинете обнаружен целый арсенал оружия.

Вопрос не в относительно небольшой взятке – вопрос в пресечении действующей коррупционной системе в данном случае в районе Кривого рога. Это важно. Очередной районный царек – “хозяин района” остановлен.

Кто следующий, товарищи взяточники?
CONTINUING THE PUBLIC PARADE BRIBETAKERS..
Kryvyi Rih.

Today, the detained head of the Dzerzhinsk District Council of Kryvyi Rih Stepaniuc Sergey Dmitrievich in article 208 of CPC (red-handed at the scene of the crime), Church. 368. h. 3. PDA (from 5 to 10 years).

The detainee is suspected of abuse of official position and taking bribes in the 60000 USD for issuing permission for placing kiosks.

For the indication of further money was transferred to the bank account of his wife’s brother. This does not help the attacker to escape punishment.

Stepaniuc was detained in the Office, when you pass the licensing documents. Personal protection officer tried to resist the police investigators was localized. Directly at the Office discovered an arsenal of weapons.

The question is not about a small trick-question in curbing the current corrupt system in this case in the area of Krivoy Rog. This is important. Regular rayon kinglet-“host area stopped.

Who’s next, bribe-takers comrades?

http://ukraineatwar.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/russian-owned-yandex-further-exposes.html

http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/05/18/the-top-five-russian-lies-about-ukraine-this-week-and-growing-challenges-for-those-interested-in-the-truth/

http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/05/24/street-named-after-heroes-of-euromaidan-to-appear-in-warsaw/

Parliament relaxes rules on importing defense products to Ukraine

The law stipulates that knots, aggregates and spare parts supplied for use in the production of defense items, the end consumers of which are state defense order customers, will not be subject to imports duty.

This does not apply to similar goods that originated from a country that was declared an occupant country under Ukrainian law and/or a state-aggressor against Ukraine, or if they are imported from the territory of the occupant country (aggressor).

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/262362.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

Deregulation & Privatization Top Priorities For Ukraine’s Economy Minister

Ukraine’s Parliament moves to break up Naftogaz
https://www.kyivpost.com/content/business/ukraines-parliament-moves-to-break-up-naftogaz-385913.html

Avakov dismisses heads of State Emergency Services in all regions
http://www.unian.info/politics/1059821-avakov-dismisses-heads-of-state-emergency-services-in-all-regions.html

Senior Ukrainian official arrested for embezzlement as government ups anti-corruption campaign
http://uatoday.tv/news/senior-ukrainian-official-arrested-on-corruption-charges-during-cabinet-of-ministers-meeting-417511.html

Poroshenko promises to end monopolies in power industry, other monopolies in Ukraine

Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko has said that order needs to be restored and competition brought back into the energy sector and stressed the importance of de-monopolization, diversification and de-oligarchization of the energy market as a precondition to ensure its security.

“The policy of de-monopolization and de-oligarchization is fully consistent with the national security interests, and I am sure that neither I, as president, nor the government, nor the Verkhovna Rada will give up this course, no matter whoever and whatever is trying to blackmail Ukraine and me as president – by the so-called miners’ battalions, two-thirds of whom were “titushki” (hired thugs) or so-called private armies or information sabotage, which they are currently trying to launch against me and against Ukraine,” the president said at a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council on Wednesday.

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/264215.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

SBU freezes 26 accounts of ex-high ranking officials in Ukraine – Nalyvaichenko
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/260725.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed

Yatsenyuk reiterates commitment to reforms in year-end interview

The state aparatus was cut by 25,000 workers in 2014 and will be cut by 50,000 in 2015, Yatsenyuk said. Some 26 regulatory bodies were liquidated out of 52 that existed before, he said and the number of taxes cut from 22 to 11.

“These reforms are not effective for the government I lead for one reason – the (results) require time. Next government and next prime minister will win from these reforms,” he said. “After my tenure the chances to keep my political ranking (high) are very, very low. But this is my choice and I realize the consequences.”

http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/yatsenyuk-reiterates-commitment-to-reforms-in-year-end-interview-382168.html

Poroshenko: Planned decentralization in Ukraine has nothing to do with federalization

“I want to warn right away that there are a number of issues to which decentralization won’t apply in any way and where the center’s role would even be increased rather than reduced. This concerns defense. We won’t have any delegation of the right to defend the country to anyone, and we won’t have any local battalions, divisions, local militia, and other nonsense. This also concerns national security, foreign policy, and the fight against corruption,” he said.

“As concerns decentralization, there is an absolute consensus that we need to delegate significant powers to territorial communities. The decentralization has already been started through amendments to the Budget Code, as we transfer money, its sources, and responsibility to territorial communities,” he said.

Poroshenko stressed that decentralization will be conducted using relevant international experience. “International experts and advisers are working here. Poland’s model has been taken as a basis,” he added.

The president said he had submitted a bill amending the constitution to the Verkhovna Rada, which should be elaborated on and presented for passage in the second reading.

Poroshenko said he hoped that new people with new powers, “both budget, and those resulting from the relevant constitutional amendments,” will be elected in next local elections. He said the amendments will concern not only budget but also tax regulations.

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/249960.html

Website for tracking reforms: http://reforms.in.ua/index.php?pageid=Vac1

“Ukraine needs structure of a federal state”

The head of Ukraine’s Tax Inspection Service has been detained for taking a bribe (Ukr).
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2015/03/10/7061062/?attempt=1

Some bureaucratic reforms, including cutting red tape for grain exporters:

http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/reform-watch-13-383276.html

Lustration procedure launched at Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food
Read more on UNIAN: http://www.unian.info/society/1059889-lustration-procedure-launched-at-ukrainian-ministry-of-agrarian-policy-and-food.html

This is the type of mid-level raid that makes me this it’s a genuine fight against corruption, and not a turf battle.

CONTINUING THE PUBLIC PARADE BRIBETAKERS..
Kryvyi Rih.

Today, the detained head of the Dzerzhinsk District Council of Kryvyi Rih Stepaniuc Sergey Dmitrievich in article 208 of CPC (red-handed at the scene of the crime), Church. 368. h. 3. PDA (from 5 to 10 years).

The detainee is suspected of abuse of official position and taking bribes in the 60000 USD for issuing permission for placing kiosks.

For the indication of further money was transferred to the bank account of his wife’s brother. This does not help the attacker to escape punishment.

Stepaniuc was detained in the Office, when you pass the licensing documents. Personal protection officer tried to resist the police investigators was localized. Directly at the Office discovered an arsenal of weapons.

The question is not about a small trick-question in curbing the current corrupt system in this case in the area of Krivoy Rog. This is important. Regular rayon kinglet-“host area stopped.

Who’s next, bribe-takers comrades?

Economist article about Ukraine’s difficult situation includes this:

The government is acting. It has introduced an electronic VAT system, for instance, which will make evasion more difficult.

Payroll-tax breaks should also help to bring more firms out of the shadows.

The State Fiscal Service reported in April that it had received about 3,000 applications to take advantage of a tax amnesty—whereby people make an honest tax declaration in exchange for a waiver from penalties—though that boosted revenues by just $12m.

the government has cut the cost of Ukraine’s pension system from 18% to 14% of GDP, mainly by changing the way that payouts rise and removing perks enjoyed by the old Soviet elite. (The biggest reform to pensions, raising the retirement age, has been kicked into the long grass.)

Spending on education and health care has seen big drops, and a fifth of civil servants are being fired.

In the first quarter of this year, state spending in real terms was 17% lower than the year before, leading to a budget surplus (see chart 2).

Reform has begun . . . including making land-registry records available online, and judges are being more closely scrutinised.

http://www.economist.com/news/finance-and-economics/21651844-ukraines-government-making-some-progress-much-more-needs-be?frsc=dg|a&fsrc=scn/tw_app_ipad

Following Georgia model, Ukraine terminating the entire traffic police department.

http://m.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2015/0602/Clean-sweep-Ukraine-cans-all-its-bribe-hungry-traffic-cops

– the central and local governments had a fiscal surplus in the first quarter of 2015. The government also tripled the price of gas, putting it closer to market levels, thus closing a source of major fiscal problems.

– The government passed and implemented a number of crucial laws to change the institutional environment of the economy. It opened the energy market to more competition, enhanced protection for minority shareholders, cut red tape and regulation, and increased access to public records. Index for Monitoring Reforms, a survey-based index that tracks regulatory changes and is calculated bimonthly based on an expert survey, suggests that the government is serious about reform (see Figure 1).

http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/four-reasons-to-be-hopeful-about-ukraine-s-economy

Poroshenko’s State of the Union:

Invoking Thatcherism and Reaganomics, he expressed dissatisfaction with his government’s efforts to ease tax and regulatory burdens — it has cut the number of business activities requiring licences to 26 from 56 and scrapped the obligatory certification of a number of products. “No one has felt yet that things are substantially easier and we need specific results like oxygen,” he said.

To be sure, Ukraine’s economic predicament leaves it little choice but to embrace radical reform. Its gross domestic product declined 17.6 percent in the first quarter, compared with a drop of 1.9 percent in Russia. As Herman Gref, chief executive of Russia’s biggest bank, Sberbank, joked in a recent interview, “reforms begin when money runs out, so we’ll wait for that to happen.”

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-06-04/poroshenko-makes-putin-look-like-a-wimp