Rocket Fire Kills 30 Civilians In Ukrainian City Of Mariupol

[TheDemSocialist]

KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Indiscriminate rocket fire slammed into a market, schools, homes and shops Saturday in Ukraine's southeastern city of Mariupol, killing at least 30 people, authorities said. The Ukrainian president called the blitz a terrorist attack and NATO and the U.S. demanded that Russia stop supporting the rebels.
Ukrainian officials rushed to defend the strategically important port on the Sea of Azov, beefing up military positions with more equipment and sending in more forces.
The separatists' top leader declared that an offensive against Mariupol had begun — then later toned down his threats as the scale of the civilian casualties became clear.

Read more @: Rocket Fire Kills 30 Civilians In Ukrainian City Of Mariupol

Separatists on the offensive. The fake "ceasefire" is over.

 

[Rogue Valley]

I forecast this yesterday morning...

http://www.debatepolitics.com/europ...ssian-troops-airport-push.html#post1064236162

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Ukraine crisis: Rockets 'kill at least 30' in Mariupol

Pro-Russian rebels launched an offensive against the strategic port of Mariupol in eastern Ukraine on Saturday, prompting the European Union's foreign policy chief to warn of a further "grave deterioration" in EU-Russian relations. Mariupol's city administration said the rebels had killed at least 30 people and injured 83 others in the offensive by firing rockets from long-range GRAD missile systems. The city of 500,000 on the Sea of Azov is vital for eastern Ukraine's steel and grain exports and also straddles the coastal route from the Russian border to Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula in southern Ukraine seized by Russia last March.

"Today an offensive was launched on Mariupol. This will be the best possible monument to all our dead," Russia's RIA news agency quoted rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko as saying at a memorial ceremony in the separatist-held city of Donetsk.

The pro-Russia rebel MLRS Grad rocket attacks hit a market, two schools, homes and shops.

[video=youtube;X5TFXLocXBM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?X5TFXLocXBM[/video]

LiveLeak: New dashcam video of Mariupol Grad attack

 

[Rogue Valley]

A man stands beside the covered body of a man who died after 120 MLRS Grad rockets hit the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol yesterday (1/24/2015). At least 30 confirmed dead and 102 injured. The nearby village of Vynogradne was struck also. The OSCE said the deadly rockets were fired from ~6 miles east of Mariupol which is rebel/Russian held territory.

January 25, 2015

“The area that came under attack was massive,” Mariupol mayor Yuriy Khotlubei said. “The shelling was carried out by militants. This is very clearly Russian aggression that has caused terrible losses for the residents of the eastern part of our city.”

 

[Gladiator]

Is the objective to clear route E 105 for land travel to Crimea? Using vehicles, roads and bridges, not using ferries?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/C...2!3m1!1s0x40ea51e9edc7fa91:0xf6b10a07a2689492



Were Ukraine forces interfering with land travel to Crimea?



//

 

[Gladiator]

From Breaking News thread:

http://www.debatepolitics.com/break...ne-crisis-rockets-kill-least-30-mariupol.html

Ukraine crisis: Rockets 'kill at least 30' in Mariupol[/url]

The pro-Russia rebel MLRS Grad rocket attacks hit a market, two schools, homes and shops.
[video=youtube;X5TFXLocXBM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?X5TFXLocXBM[/video]

LiveLeak: New dashcam video of Mariupol Grad attack[/url]

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This is probably the beginning of the long awaited Russian/rebel offensive to create a land-bridge between Russia proper and the illegally annexed Crimea peninsula. Mariupol is a strategically important Ukrainian coastal city on the Sea of Azov in southern Zaporizhia Oblast.

 

[Gladiator]

Does Ukraine interfere with Russian access to Crimea through Kherson?



"Citizens from the Oblasts (regions) of Kherson and Zaporizhia have been volunteering to build new defenses against an expected Russian invasion.

In the Kherson Oblast volunteers worked on building defenses around the Kakhovka Hydro-electric station, along the main electrical substations, and along the North Crimean Canal. Major Vladimir Kovalenko advised journalists that this infrastructure is considered a strategic installation.

It was reported that approximately three kilometers of trenches had been dug by approximately 500 volunteers on the 7th and 8th September in order to defend the approaches to the town of Nova Kahkovka. It was reported that people are digging trenches, building dugouts and improving positions. Local people say that Russian occupants constantly spy at the actions of Ukrainian troopers – almost every day over the Chaplynka and Kalanchak villages they can see Russian helicopters and UAVs."

https://burkonews.info/ukrainian-citizens-kherson-zaporizhia-work-improve-defenses-russian-invasion/

Bus Service Kherson to Sevatopol 12 Hours:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Bus+service+Kherson+to+Sevastopol



Melitpol to Sevastopol, 8 Hours:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=Bus+Service+Melitopol+to+Sevastopol


What is the problem?


Truck Shipping Melitopol to Sevastopol OK?

http://www.della-sk.com/lcl/2212360093609664433/abj5450det5558flo20lh10u424i141020l141020k0m1.html



Rail Lines from Melitopol to Sevastopol, seem working:

"These railways were built to link Crimea to the Russian Empire, not as an internal network for Crimea itself. The only ‘internal’ line runs from Simferopol to Yevpatoria. There is no east-west line on the peninsula, and despite its status as tourist destination, there is no line along the coast.

Those are the logical routes for new rail lines on the peninsula. The line to Yevpatoria could also be shortened, with a cut-off line from Simferopol to Saki. Apart from that, there is no logical extension of the ‘internal’ rail network. As always at this blog, borders and politics are ignored.

The total population of the Crimea is 2 400 000. (That includes Sevastopol, which was not part of Ukrainian Crimea). The population is concentrated in the south, along the flanks of the Crimean Mountains. The north is relatively flat, with low population density and only 20% of total population. All the main cities already have a station, but some lines are of poor quality"

https://infrastruct.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/new-rail-lines-in-crimea/



What is there to fight about?




//

 

[MrFirst]

Ukrainian port city divided after deadly rocket attack

(MENAFN - The Peninsula) Outside the church a day after a barrage of rocket fire killed 30 people in this Ukrainian port city, the war-torn region's divisions were on full display.

"Those Ukrainian flags don't belong here," said 58-year-old Yelena as she exited a mass at the Orthodox church in honour of the victims of Saturday's attack, while others shouted "shame on you" to those holding them.

The dozen or so people holding the yellow and blue flags or wearing them on their shoulders obviously felt differently, and the tensions were a sign of eastern Ukraine's divided loyalties since war began in April between the country's military and pro-Russian rebels.

Eastern Ukraine is heavily Russified, especially in comparison to the ex-Soviet republic's west, but it is not without a large population of nationalists who remain opposed to the rebels allegedly backed by Moscow.

Viktor Zarubin, a 15-year-old holding one of the Ukrainian flags at the church and a resident of the neighbourhood hit in the attack, said he had come both to pay homage to the victims and to "support the unity of Ukraine".

"I was alone at my house when the shelling began," Zarubin said. "I lay down on the ground and I crawled into the basement. It was like an earthquake."

He added that he was "afraid for me and my family."

Mariupol is the last major city controlled by Kiev in the country's two separatist provinces along the border with Russia, and rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko announced on Saturday the insurgents were launching an offensive to take it.

The rebels did not claim responsibility for the rocket fire, but monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said they had come from separatist-held territory.

The OSCE confirmed 19 Grad and Uragan rocket impacts around the city of some 500,000 people and said it was certain there were more.

They served as a reminder of the dangers facing the region's residents in a conflict that has already killed more than 5,000 people and caused around a million to flee their homes.

- 'When Ukraine was normal' -

Heavy fighting occurred in early September on the outskirts of Mariupol, but only sporadic violence has hit the city since then. Saturday's strikes took some residents by surprise.

"We did not expect that in Mariupol," said Yulia Kuzmina, a 27-year-old whose car and flat were damaged in the attack. "It's dangerous here too now."

She was emotional and confused over what to do next, having already fled her home in the separatist bastion of Donetsk further north due to the violence there.

Others however were intent on assigning blame. Zarubin, the 15-year-old, was quick to blame Russian forces, with Moscow accused of backing the rebels with troops and weapons, charges it strongly denies.

"The separatists don't have the know-how to operate military equipment. It's the work of professional soldiers," he said, referring to Russian troops.

The governor of the Ukrainian administration in the Donetsk region was among the 100 or so people to attend Sunday's mass, and he encouraged those displaying the flags.

"The fact that there are Ukrainian flags in front of the church says a lot," said Oleksandr Kikhtenko. "It shows the unity of people," he added despite the presence of those opposed to the display.

For Yelena, the woman who objected to the flags when leaving the church, the Ukrainian army was responsible for Saturday's attack.

"We all know who was behind it," she said. "It's an organised provocation by the forces posted here."

Ukrainian port city divided after deadly rocket attack | MENAFN.COM

 

[Gladiator]

Ukrainian port city divided after deadly rocket attack

(MENAFN - The Peninsula)
Mariupol is the last major city controlled by Kiev in the country's two separatist provinces along the border with Russia, and rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko announced on Saturday the insurgents were launching an offensive to take it.

The rebels did not claim responsibility for the rocket fire, but monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe said they had come from separatist-held territory.


Ukrainian port city divided after deadly rocket attack | MENAFN.COM

What are the goals of the Rebels? What do they want to control? What actions are the Ukraine forces taking that are detrimental to the Rebels interests?

What are the parameters of a compromise?


//

 

[DDD]

What are the goals of the Rebels? What do they want to control? What actions are the Ukraine forces taking that are detrimental to the Rebels interests?

Rebels wish more territory to be annexed to mother Russia other than Ukrainian Crimea.

What are the parameters of a compromise?
//

Errr... No idea.

 

[MrFirst]

What are the goals of the Rebels? What do they want to control? What actions are the Ukraine forces taking that are detrimental to the Rebels interests?

What are the parameters of a compromise?


//

In general I think the rebels want Ukrainians to leave them alone. Officially Donetsk People's Republic declared their sovereignty over the territory of former Donetsk oblast of Ukraine. The same as Lugansk People's Republic - over Lugansk oblast. Now they control about 1/3 of territory and about 2/3 of population of Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts. And also about 20% of Ukrainian GDP as these regions are huge industrial area.

Last summer Ukrainian forces launched advance against the rebel regions. They failed to seize the cities of Donbass but managed to approach two regional capitals - Donetsk and Lugansk, and shelled them for months, as well as other cities and towns. As a result about 5.000 people were killed according to UN report. The leader of Donetsk People's Republic said they've taken the decision to launch major offence to remove the front line to avoid constant bombardments from positions of Ukrainian army.

Compromise is still impossible because Ukrainian side refuses to accept Donetsk and Lugansk as a side of negotiations. Kiev refuses to talk to them, calls them terrorists and threatens repeatedly.

 

[MrFirst]

Kiev forces’ shelling kills 16, injures 114 in LPR — health ministry

LUGANSK, January 28. /TASS/. At least 16 people were killed and another 114 were wounded over the past 24 hours as Kiev troops shelled the towns of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), the LPR health minister said on Wednesday.

Larisa Ayrapetyan said 13 civilians were killed in Stakhanov, two people died in Krasny Luch and one person in Lugansk.

"These are mainly shrapnel wounds, which are very serious. We have no time to take people to hospitals," Ayrapetyan said. In Stakhanov, some 50 kilometers west of Luhansk, "there are a lot of injured children," she said.

A total of 76 victims have been taken to medical facilities in Luhansk, she said.

TASS: World - Kiev forces