National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine: Ukrainian servicemen keep moving out of encirclement from near Ilovaysk

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Kyiv, 1 September 2014 – “ATO forces managed to set up positions at Komsomolsk-Pozdolne line of the Donetsk region, it provides cover and a chance to help the units of Ukrainian servicemen moving out of encirclement near Ilovaysk, Donetsk region. Servicemen continue moving out from the encirclement,” informed Colonel Andriy Lysenko, spokesman of the Information Analytical center of the National Security and Defense Council at a briefing in the Ukraine Crisis Media Center.

In the majority of settlements in Donetsk and Luhansk regions to substitute militants regular Russian troops arrive, they do not hide the fact that they belong to the Russian Federation Armed Forces. In Luhansk servicemen with the insignia of the Russian Federation are spotted. They organize and control supply corridors to Ukraine for military machinery and newest weapons.

Ukrainian Armed Forces conduct defense and surveillance activities at checkpoints around Mariupol, Donetsk region. Outpost of Ukrainian forces has been set up, it will not allow the enemy to penetrate into Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Servicemen of Ukrainian Armed Forces, territorial defense battalions proceed with works to reinforce positions. “Residents of Mariupol, local entrepreneurs, internally displaced, media representatives and all other people who did not remain indifferent take active part in construction of fortifications in the outskirts of the city,” added National Security and Defense Council spokesman.

Servicemen trained as tank personnel started exercises at “Desna” base of Ukrainian Armed Forces in Chernihiv region, at the same time artillery units servicemen continue exercises at “Devichky” base of Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kyiv region. Renovation, modernization and repair of the damaged military machinery coming back from ATO zone daily continues.

Due to the night shelling from Grad launchers in Donetsk as per the preliminary data oil refinery has been damaged. In Petrovsky district of the city a residential building and medical aid point of a mine got damaged.

Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that advancement of Russian troops towards Mariupol gives grounds to consider possible options to reinforce political and economic pressure on the Russian Federation. According to Mr. Steinmeier due to problems with supplying Crimea Russia may attempt to seize certain territories of the Southern-Eastern Ukraine in order to establish land connection with the peninsula. In this context the German party does not rule out possibility of military confrontation between Ukraine and Russia. Berlin is interested in preventing such a scenario as it will cause split-up in Europe.

Vice Chancellor of Germany, Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel said that without putting pressure on Russian authorities Ukraine crisis may well become considerable threat to Europe. According to him the state of play when one state threatens its neighbours and it is left with no response is unacceptable.

Today Head of the European Council Donald Tusk admitted that war is going on in Ukraine, called the whole Europe to stand and defend its ally. “Now is not the time for eloquence and optimism. As the phrase “Never again at war” is in confrontation to what is going on in the East of Ukraine today,” he added.

“We have to say it loud that no one can block our initiatives directed at successful activity of NATO. Today, looking at the tragedy of Ukraine, at war — because we should use this word — in the east of our continent, we know that September 1939 must not be repeated,” said Tusk.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen at a press conference stated that for a long time NATO regarded Russia as its partner: “We hoped for full-scale strategic partnership with Russia. However unfortunately we do not have to be naïve now as judging by its deeds we must adapt to the fact that Russia now considers us its adversary.”