Section: The Epoch Times (USA)
Pro-Russian Rebels Reject Peace Deal, Launch Offensive
DONETSK, Ukraine—Pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine rejected a previously signed peace deal Friday and announced a new multi-pronged offensive against Ukrainian government troops. The main separatist leader in the Donetsk region said the insurgents won’t join further peace talks and another rebel went even further saying they will not...
Russians Will ‘Eat Less’ for Putin, Says Top Official
DAVOS, Switzerland— Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, on Friday warned the West against trying to topple President Vladimir Putin and said that Russians are ready to sacrifice their wealth in Putin’s support. Russia has for the past year been sliding into recession amid a slump in...
Ukraine Separatists Vow to Take More Territory
DONETSK, Ukraine—Ukraine’s president vowed Sunday to reassert government control over eastern regions as the army unleashed a counter-offensive against Russian-backed separatist fighters vying for command over the airport in the city of Donetsk. The separatist stronghold was shaken by intense outgoing and incoming artillery fire over the...
Signs Emerge of Major Ukraine Rebel Offensive Looming
DONETSK, Ukraine— Signs emerged Friday pointing to a major offensive in eastern Ukraine by rebels fighting to break off from the rest of the country. A rebel leader said they will continue to fight and won’t join further peace talks — but left unclear whether they would respect this week’s agreement to pull back heavy weapons from the...
NATO: Fighting in Eastern Ukraine Fiercer Than Ever
BRUSSELS—Fighting in eastern Ukraine is fiercer than ever in some locations, NATO’s top commander in Europe said Thursday — adding that the weapons systems seen now in the region have in the past heralded a fresh incursion by Russian troops. “Violence has intensified and changed character in Ukraine,” U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove...
Ukrainian Forces Almost Defeated at Donetsk Airport
DONETSK, Ukraine— Ukrainian forces have all but abandoned Donetsk airport after months of bitter battle, although military officials continue to insist they hold part of the terminal. The Defense Ministry said Thursday that six soldiers had died over the previous day of fighting for the airport, which lies on the northern edge of the...
At Least 7 Killed in Shelling of City Bus in Eastern Ukraine
DONETSK, Ukraine— Local authorities in the separatist stronghold in east Ukraine say at least seven people have been killed after a city bus was hit by an artillery shell. The shell struck the vehicle Thursday morning in Donetsk, instantly killing numerous passengers and blowing out the windows of a nearby building. A rebel official at the site...
Russia, Ukraine Agree Pullback Line for Heavy Arms
BERLIN—Diplomats from Russia and Ukraine agreed Wednesday on a dividing line from where both sides should pull back their heavy weapons, just hours after separatist forces deployed more arms and manpower to an emerging flashpoint in eastern Ukraine. Germany’s Foreign Minister, who hosted a meeting of his counterparts from Russia, Ukraine...
US Says Russian Peace Plan for Ukraine Is an Occupation Plan
UNITED NATIONS—U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power says Russia’s latest “peace plan” for Ukraine is nothing more than an “occupation plan.” Power told the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday that “the current situation is dangerous” and urged Russia to implement a September cease-fire agreement. She said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s...
Ukraine President Points to Russian Hand in Conflict
DAVOS, Switzerland—Ukraine’s president courted European support Wednesday against what he says are 9,000 Russian troops occupying 7 percent of his nation’s territory. Addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he appealed for political and financial support, President Petro Poroshenko held up a piece of a bullet-riddled bus...
