Section: Metro News (Canada)
Russian conscripts tell of fears of being sent to Ukraine
MOSCOW – When Alexander was due to finish his year of mandatory military service in October, his commander told him he had no choice: He had to sign a contract to extend his stay in the army and head to southern Russia for troop exercises. The 20-year-old knew that meant he might end up fighting alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern...
As Ukraine town Debaltseve regains peace, fear of war remains
DEBALTSEVE, Ukraine – Almost every building was gravely damaged, nearly every window smashed in this Ukrainian town left unrecognizable by months of relentless shelling. Children played in the rubble where their homes once stood, while neighbours boiled water in open fires as temperatures dipped below freezing. Two days after government forces...
Pope calls for Ukraine cease-fire to be respected
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has called for Ukraine’s cease-fire to be respected amid fresh reports by the Ukrainian military that separatist rebels were still firing on government positions and that Russia was sending in more tanks. Francis delivered the plea for peace Friday during a meeting with Ukrainian bishops visiting Rome. He said he...
Cossack soldiers roam the streets after army retreats from Ukrainian town
DEBALTSEVE, Ukraine – Rebel fighters, many of them Cossacks, roamed the streets of Debaltseve on Thursday, a day after Ukrainian forces began withdrawing from the besieged town. The mood was celebratory, with fighters laughing, hugging each other and posing for photos. Associated Press journalists drove Thursday around about half of the key rail...
Canada increases sanctions against Russia
OTTAWA – Canada says it’s intensifying economic sanctions against Russian individuals and companies in response to the tense situation in eastern Ukraine. Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the move is being made in co-ordination with Canada’s partners in Europe and the United States in response to what he says is Russia’s...
Video: Ukrainian troops retreat as key hub falls to pro-Russia rebels
ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine – After weeks of fierce, relentless fighting, the embattled rail hub of Debaltseve fell to rebel forces Wednesday in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian president confirmed that he had ordered troops to pull out and the Russia-backed separatists reported taking hundreds of soldiers captive. Associated Press reporters saw several...
Germany condemns separatist advance on Debaltseve
BERLIN – The German government has condemned pro-Russian rebels’ advance on the Ukrainian town of Debaltseve and denounced it as “a massive violation” of a cease-fire that came into effect at the weekend. Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said Wednesday that the onslaught on Debaltseve places “serious strain on...
Embattled Debaltseve falls to Ukraine rebels; troops retreat
ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine – After weeks of fierce, relentless fighting, the embattled rail hub of Debaltseve fell to rebel forces Wednesday in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian president confirmed that he had ordered troops to pull out and the Russia-backed separatists reported taking hundreds of soldiers captive. Associated Press reporters saw several...
Ukraine slams separatist rebels for violating truce after town seized
LUHANSKE, Ukraine – The Ukrainian defence ministry says a group of its soldiers has been ambushed and taken prisoner in the town that is the epicenter of fighting with separatists. However, the ministry on Tuesday denied rebel claims that they have seized control of Debaltseve where Ukrainian forces have been under siege. The ministry said street...
Battle persists for Ukraine railway hub, despite peace deal
LUHANSKE, Ukraine – Intense artillery exchanges between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists persisted Monday around a strategic town in eastern Ukraine — fighting that threatens to dash a cease-fire deal brokered by European leaders last week. Under the cease-fire agreement negotiated by the leaders of Ukraine, Russia,...
