Section: The Gulf Today (United Arab Emirates)
Dozens of Russian troops ‘flee unit, fearing Ukraine deployment’
MOSCOW: Dozens of Russian soldiers are facing trial for fleeing their unit, fearing deployment to Ukraine, a news site and a lawyer for five of the men said on Saturday. The popular Gazeta.ru website said several dozen soldiers would be prosecuted after fleeing a training ground in southern Russia where they were under pressure to “volunteer” to...
Ukraine leader warns of ‘terror’ as rebels attack
KIEV: President Petro Poroshenko warned on Friday that the threat of terror was “significantly” rising across Ukraine as pro-Russian militias resumed attacks that killed two more federal servicemen. The Western-backed leader said Ukraine’s efforts to stamp out the 15-month eastern revolt had drained security resources and left peaceful...
Russia cuts off power supplies to Ukraine rebels: Kiev
KIEV: Kiev said on Tuesday that Russia had cut off electricity to Ukraine’s rebel-run regions in what appears to be another sign that Moscow is losing interest in plans to splinter its neighbour. Russian President Vladimir Putin has gone through an extended spell without peppering his speeches with mentions of a “New Russia” (Novorossiya)...
Landmine kills 5 Ukrainian soldiers in separatist east
KIEV: Five Ukrainian servicemen were killed and three wounded by a landmine in the separatist Luhansk region, the Ukrainian military said on Sunday. Fighting between government troops and pro-Russian rebels has lessened since the signing of a ceasefire deal in February, but both sides accuse the other of violations and casualties from landmine...
Putin reminds Obama of equality
MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin called for dialogue based on equal treatment and mutual respect with the United States on Saturday in a congratulatory message to President Barack Obama marking US Independence Day. Putin said US-Russian relations remained important for solving global crises. The two countries have disagreements over the...
Russia slams Ukraine failure on talks with rebels
MOSCOW: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday said Ukraine’s perceived failure to agree with rebels on implementing a peace deal was “alarming” and urged the West to pressure Kiev. “The situation is alarming because we’re witnessing a tendency, if you will,” Russia’s top diplomat told reporters. “Starting with a state...
Russia, Ukraine trade barbs
MOSCOW: Russia expressed “deep concern” on Thursday over Ukraine’s plans to decentralise power as part of a peace deal with separatist rebels, underlining the gulf between Moscow and Kiev as the conflict rumbles on despite a ceasefire. Russia also denounced a new US military strategy that accuses Moscow of failing to respect its...
Ukraine’s village caught in crossfire of enduring war
KRYMSKE: Few places along the front line in east Ukraine see regular fighting as bitter as the village of Krymske. Roads to the village have all but crumbled away under the weight of military trucks, tanks and armoured personnel carriers. For now, Krymske is in the hands of Ukrainian government forces and the volunteer battalions that fight...
Ukraine risks return to fresh clashes: Nato
BRUSSELS: Nato’s head warned on Thursday of a risk of a return to heavy fighting in Ukraine but said it would be unwise to declare a ceasefire agreement dead, despite repeated violations, because it remained the best hope for peace. “The conflict in Ukraine has already cost over 6,000 lives. Ceasefire violations persist. And there is still...
Netherlands, Malaysia push for UN tribunal for MH17 culprits
KUALA LUMPUR: The Netherlands, Malaysia and three other countries want a UN tribunal to be set up to try those responsible for the downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight over Ukraine last year, a senior diplomat said on Wednesday. Malaysia is expected to present a draft resolution to the Security Council next month on setting up the tribunal,...
