Section: Australia&NZ
Patriotism, adventure lure Russian volunteers to Ukraine conflict (AFP)
Saint Petersburg (AFP) – Filled with patriotic bravado and a thirst for adventure, Yevgeny Pavlenko and his friend Yevgeny Markin volunteered with dozens others to leave their home in Russia to go and fight in eastern Ukraine. …read more Source: The West...
Witness in Russian politician’s slaying gets death threats
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) ” Authorities in Ukraine say the sole witness in the killing in Moscow of prominent Russian opposition figure Boris Nemtsov has received death threats since returning to her family home in Ukraine.The General… …read more Source: The New Zealand...
Russia expert warns Western powers ‘are in the logic of 1914’ on Putin, Ukraine
In his new book, a British historian insists the West must reassess its language and strategy towards Russia – before it’s too late. …read more Source: The Sydney Morning...
Ukraine mourns 33 victims of mine disaster (AFP)
Donetsk (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukraine on Thursday observed a day of mourning for 33 miners killed in an apparent gas blast at a notoriously dangerous coal mine in the eastern rebel stronghold of Donetsk. …read more Source: The West...
Putin’s suppression to blame for Nemtsov’s death – NATO official
Vladimir Putin is seeking to turn Ukraine into a failed state while silencing dissent at home, a top NATO official said, suggesting the Russian President was ultimately responsible for the murder of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov. read more …read more Source: Otago Daily...
Hunger-striking Ukraine pilot drinks soup as health fears soar (AFP)
Moscow (AFP) – Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko agreed to drink chicken broth Thursday as concerns mount over her health on the 83rd day of a hunger strike in a Russian jail which has seen her lose over 20 kilos (44 pounds), her lawyer said. …read more Source: The West...
Scribbled note shows Boris Nemtsov was planning report on Russian soldiers in Ukraine
A note purported to be in the assassinated leader’s hurried scrawl says 17 Russian paratroopers were killed in fighting in Ukraine. …read more Source: The Sydney Morning...
EU urges Russia to forget old gas contract with Ukraine
BRUSSELS (AP) ” The European Union is concerned that Russia might want to enforce its old gas contract with Ukraine once their current arrangement runs out, saying it could contravene Moscow’s peace obligations.EU energy chief Maros… …read more Source: The New Zealand...
Ukraine blockade of rebel territory fosters resentment
KURAKHOVE, Ukraine (AP) ” Tears welled up Vera Pavliy’s eyes as she stood outside the bank, looking as if she had just gotten lost. The 76-year-old was stuck behind the battle lines in the east Ukraine town of Kurakhove with no money… …read more Source: The New Zealand...
Bipartisan House group pressure Obama on Ukraine
WASHINGTON (AP) ” House Speaker John Boehner and a group of top Democrats and Republicans are stepping up the pressure on the president to provide lethal, defensive weapons to Ukraine in its fight against Russian-backed separatists.In… …read more Source: The New Zealand...
