Ukraine News One
Russian Mercenaries in Donetsk: Chechen leader Kadyrov denies sending troops to Ukraine
- Title
- Russian Mercenaries in Donetsk: Chechen leader Kadyrov denies sending troops to Ukraine
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The head of Russia's Chechen Republic, Ramzan Kadyrov, has once again brushed aside allegations of Chechen fighters being sent to eastern Ukraine. In a 200-word statement posted to his Instagram, Kadyrov said he doesn't know the whereabouts all the people who live in his republic. Fighters who resemble residents of the Caucasus have been seen in eastern Ukraine for months guarding government buildings seized by Kremlin-backed insurgents. Ukraine and the West have accused the Kremlin of fomenting the unrest, but Moscow has denied the charge. The New York Times, meanwhile, reported from Donetsk on May 27 that Chechen men with automatic rifles stood guard outside a city hospital to protect their friends wounded in a firefight with the Ukrainian Army a day earlier. The revelation about foreign fighters received an unexpected official confirmation on the same day, when the mayor of Donetsk, Oleksandr Lukyanchenko, said at least eight people with Russian passports were among the wounded rebe...
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- Khordorkovsky's Ukraine Charity Project: Former tycoon's Open Russia Foundation to relaunch in fall
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Russian former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky is re-launching his Open Russia Foundation with a series of projects in Ukraine, eight years after the Kremlin closed it down. No concrete details on specific projects will be released until the autumn. It also remains unclear where the charity will be registered, given that Khodorkovsky is still burdened with a multi-million dollar lawsuit that prevents him returning to Russia
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- English Cheese Chasers: Daredevils race after double Gloucester cheese down Cooper's Hill
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Thousands have gathered to watch traditional cheese rolling races on Cooper's Hill in Gloucestershire. The daredevil event which dates back to the 19th century includes thrill seekers chasing a wheel of double Gloucester cheese down a steep slope in three separate races with the emerging winner claiming the 3.5kg of Dutch Gouda.
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- Russia Facing Abkhazia Protests: Kremlin-installed leader of breakaway Georgian region flees capital
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Abkhazia's leader Alexander Ankvab has been been quoted on 28 May by the Russian news agency Interfax as saying he was facing an "armed coup attempt." Opposition protestors stormed presidential offices a day earlier. Abkhazia, which most of the world still regards as part of Georgia, broke away during a civil war in the 1990s. In 2008, Russia fought a five-day war with Georgia over this territory and the other breakaway region of South Ossetia. Along with Russia, Nicaragua, Venzuela and Nauru are the UN members to recognize Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent. Russian troops are still stationed in the lush Black Sea region, which lies east of Sochi, the Russian Winter Olympics venue used last February.
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- Donetsk Ice Hockey Arena Torched: Kremlin-backed insurgents target Party of Regions bigwigs
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- A massive fire gutted the Donetsk Donbass ice hockey stadium on Tuesday, amid an ongoing military offensive in the eastern Ukrainian city. About 14 fire engines attempted to extinguish the blaze which completely engulfed the arena owned by Boris Kolesnikov. Kolesnikov had been a supporter of the Moscow-backed government of former president Viktor Yanukovych but switched sides to support the interim government in Kyiv after Yanukovych's ouster.
Ukraine's riches man, Rinat Akmetov also switched to supporting the pro-West interim government after Yanukovych fled Kyiv earlier this year. Akhmetov was slow to take sides in the conflict between Moscow-backed separatists and the new government in Kyiv.
However Akhmetov last week broke his silence to call for Ukraine to remain united. The commodities tycoon mobilised thousands of his employees from factories across the region to protest against the Kremlin-backed militants after the insurgency leaders threatended to forcefully t...
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- OSCE monitors feared abducted: Second team of international body goes missing in east Ukraine
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Four members of the OSCE monitoring team in east Ukraine have gone missing in the city of Donetsk. The international humanitarian operatives, an Estonian, a Swiss, a Turk and a Dane, were on a routine patrol when contact was lost.
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- Russian fighters in East Ukraine: Moscow and Chechnya residents among insurgent dead in Donetsk
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The mayor of Donetsk in east Ukraine has said that eight Russian nationals, including residents of Moscow and of the Chechen town of Grozny, are among the casualties suffered by pro-Kremlin separatists in the city.
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- Crimea Tourism Slump: Occupied Ukrainian peninsula short of guests following Russian annexation
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Crimea's Kremlin-backed authorities have confirmed that the Black Sea peninsula's tourism industry has collapsed. The self-styled leader of Crimea Sergey Aksionov said that visitor numbers were far below the 'optimal level.' Aksionov blamed the drop on Ukraine's decision to shut down the railway from mainland Ukraine.
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- Poroshenko to sell businesses: Ukrainian president to sell chocolate empire but keep TV channel
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Billionaire president-elect of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko who won a commanding victory in last weekend's presidential election says he will retain his TV holding Channel Five despite a pledge to sell his main assets including the Roshen chocolate company.
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- Ukraine accuses Russia of exporting terror: Chechens and Russians confirmed among Donetsk dead
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- There are now widespread reports of the presence of Chechen fighters in east Ukraine. Over the weekend, Russian-trained militants were seen firing automatic weapons into the air at a rally in central Donetsk, many of whom were reportedly bussed in from restive Chechnya.
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- Poroshenko promises to end conflict: Ukrainian president pledges to open dialogue with restive east
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukraine's new president, Petro Poroshenko, says he will visit the Russian-speaking east of the country to open dialogue with people there and find a peaceful resolution to the unrest which has wracked the region for months, but has stressed that he will not negotiate with Kremlin-backed separatists.
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- Did Jesus Christ Speak Hebrew? Pope Francis and Israeli PM Netanyahu in Jesus language spat
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Pope Francis and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have had words over the language spoken by Jesus two thousand years ago. Netanyahu asserted that Jesus 'spoke Hebrew', with the Pope quickly hitting back with 'Aramaic.' The Israeli PM then clarified that Jesus 'spoke Aramaic, but knew Hebrew.'
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- Vitali Klitschko Conquers Kyiv: Ex-heavyweight champ Klitschko takes top job in Ukrainian capital
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Vitali Klitschko has claimed victory in Sunday's mayoral vote, cementing his position as right-hand-man to president-in-waiting Petro Poroshenko who claimed over 50% of the vote in the presidential election.
The former heavyweight boxing champion took over 50% of the vote in the mayoral contest, easily beating his rivals.
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- Ukrainian Border Guards Intercept Russian Fighters: Ukraine insurgency dependent on Kremlin backing
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukrainian forces fired shots at pro-Russian rebels' vehicles which tried to enter Ukrainian territory from Russia overnight. One Russian national was wounded while border guards seized weapons including grenade launchers
- Title
- Ukraine-Russia Gas Wars: EU deal could break deadlock but Kyiv wants Crimea compensation
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- European Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger says he has helped broker a deal which could see Ukraine pay around USD 2.5 billion of its debt to Gazprom over the coming days and weeks.
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- Ukrainian army takes on Kremlin-backed insurgents: Kyiv vows to destroy all 'terrorist units'
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The Ukrainian government has announced that it is continuing its anti-terror operations in eastern parts of the country, with the first deputy prime minister declaring that the military will not stop until "not a single terrorist remains" in Ukraine.
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- Donetsk Morgue Full of Insurgent Dead: Kremlin-backed militants suffer heavy losses in East Ukraine
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Scores of dead separatists filled a Donetsk morgue as the Ukrainian military said around 200 insurgents were killed in fighting.
- Title
- Ukraine's New President: 'Chocolate King' Petro Poroshenko promises dialogue with restive east
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukraine's electoral commission has confirmed Petro Poroshenko as the country's new president. The millionaire chocolate manufacturer won Sunday's election outright in the first round having taken over 50% of the vote, leaving former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in a distant second place.
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- Poland's last communist leader dies: Jaruzelski declared martial law over Solidarity protests
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Poland's last communist leader has died at the age of 90 at a military hospital. General Jaruzelski became infamous for declaring martial law in December 1981 after a trade union threatened communist rule. However, the decision has been viewed as being vital to averting a Soviet military invasion.
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- Austrian zoo shows litter of rare white tiger cubs: Kernhof Zoo specializes in white animals
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- A litter of five rare white tiger cubs has been presented to the public for the very first time at their home in Kernhof Zoo in Austria.
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- Donetsk Anti-Terror Operation Continues: Kremlin-backed insurgents suffer heavy losses in Ukraine
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukrainian forces fought with separatists in the city of Donetsk for a second day) after inflicting heavy losses on the rebels while the government vowed to press on with a military offensive "until not a single terrorist" was left.
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- Pharrell Williams art exhibition celebrates femininity: US pop star showcases artworks in Paris
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Pop star Pharrell Williams has opened his own exhibition in Paris, showcasing works of art which celebrate femininity. Titled 'GIRL' after William's album of the same name, the contemporary exhibition brings together 48 pieces of art.
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- World's Tallest Lego Tower: Record-breaking structure built in Hungarian capital Budapest
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Hungary has managed to set a new world record by building the highest Lego tower on May 25 in front of Saint Stephen's Basilica in Budapest. Construction of the 36-metre Lego tower began on Wednesday with several school children taking part helped by official Danish Lego constructors. The aim was to break the current US record of 34.43 meters. Officials from the Guinness world record company arrived in Budapest on Saturday to verify the record. The mayor of the city's 5th district said that he hoped the record would promote Budapest to the world before he braved the height of 36 meters to place the last piece.
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- Poroshenko Presidential Victory Confirmed: Chocolate king becomes Ukraine's fifth president
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The head of Ukraine's Central Election Commission on 26 May announced that Petro Poroshenko had won the presidential election. With 90 percent of the votes counted, Poroshenko received 54 percent of the vote, compared to 13 percent for 2nd place finisher Yuliya Tymoshenko.
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- Russian Arms Shipment Seized in Ukraine: Weapons destined for Kremlin-backed Donbas insurgents
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukraine's State Security Service has intercepted a shipment of small-arms weapons and explosives it says were sent to Kremlin-backed militias in Berdyansk in eastern Ukraine. Some 73 boxes with armaments were delivered by sea from the Ukraine's Crimea, which Russian troops invaded in February and annexed in March. Security agents seized more than 100 rifles, machine guns, 24 rocket launchers. Almost 1,000 grenades and ammunition was included in the shipment. Three Ukrainian citizens were detained, according to the SBU's press service, which said that former State Security Chief Oleksander Yakimenko organized the shipment. Yakimenko fled Ukraine to Russia following the ouster of disgraced former Presisdent Viktor Yanukovych in February.
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- OSCE praises Ukraine poll: EU observers say 25 May Ukrainian presidential vote was free and fair
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has praised Ukraine for holding a presidential election it said was in line with international commitments and respected fundamental freedoms despite hostile activity by Kremlin-backed groups in the east. OSCE Head Joao Soares said Ukrainians had "seized" the opportunity to take part in a democratic process. Soares said Ukraine's electoral authorities had made genuine efforts to conduct voting throughout the country despite persistent unrest and violence in the country's east. The international observers, who released their report on Monday, also decried forced closures of district election commissions by armed groups, abductions, death threats, forced entry into private homes and the seizure of equipment and election material, saying they were aimed at denying citizens their right to vote.
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- Russian TV Fakes Ukraine Election Results: Kremlin lies exposed as only 2% vote for nationalists
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
Kremlin controlled TV channel tells millions of Russians that Pravy Sector enjoy popular support in Ukraine and its leader Dmitry Yarosh was heading for victory in the Ukrainian Presidential Elections. In reality far-right groups Pravy Sector and Svoboda polled less than 2% combined.
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- Battle For Donetsk Airport: Ukrainian army launches major assault on Kremlin-backed insurgents
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The Ukrainian army deploys helicopter gunships and fighter jets against hundreds of heavily armed Kremlin-backed militants including scores of Chechan mercaneries who attempted to take control of Donetsk airport.
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- Crimean Tatars defy Moscow to vote in Ukraine election: Crimea under Russian military occupation
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Crimean Tatars crossed into mainland Ukraine on Sunday to vote in the presidential elections, in defiance of Moscow. Many Tatars accused Russian militants and Crimea's self-appointed pro-Kremlin authorities of seeking to block their right to vote in the Ukrainian election.
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- Nationalist parties triumph in EU elections: Right-wing gains described as 'political earthquake'
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Parties opposed to European integration, immigration and austerity have seen huge gains in this year's European Parliament elections. Leading the way were the United Kingdom Independence Party and France's Front National, both topping their elections with 27 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.
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- American National Memorial Day Concert: US troops and pop stars remember fallen in Washington D.C.
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The 25th National Memorial Day Concert has been held in Washington DC. A star-studded lineup, which included winner of 'The Voice' Danielle Bradbery, graced the stage. American Idol champion Caleb Johnson started off the concert with the American national anthem.
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- Russian Insurgents Arrested: Ukrainian forces foil election day Don Cossack terror attack in Luhansk
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukraine's State Security Service on 26 May released video of Russian citizens identified as Don Cossacks arrested in Luhansk province in eastern Ukraine over the weekend. According to the press release of the agency, the men traveled from Russia to Ukraine to disrupt the vote on Sunday. Kremlin officials deny sending paramilitary groups to eastern Ukraine to stir up unrest, a claim disputed by officials in the United States, European Union and Ukraine. Ukraine's government went ahead with the presidential election on 25 May despite threats from Kremlin-backed insurgents, who blocked access to polling places in Luhansk province. No voting stations were open in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk. Former foreign minister Petro Poroshenko claimed has claimed victory in Ukraine's 25 May presidential election. Exit polls conducted by several research organizations said Poroshenko received between 56 and 58 percent of the vote, far ahead of his nearest rival, former Prime Minister Yuli...
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- Battle for Donetsk Airport: Ukrainian army clashes with insurgents at Donetsk International Airport
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The Donetsk International Airport has become the latest battleground for Kremlin-backed separatists, who occupied then the facility early on 26 May. At least two Ukrainian fighter jets and several military helicopters were dispatched and the scene, which erupted in chaos and gunfire. By early afternoon, smoke was rising from the airport and repeated bursts of gunfire could be heard. The airport, built for the Euro 2012 football championships, cost Ukrainian taxpayers 266 million USD to build. Donetsk airport authorities announced the closure of the airport to flights after the separatists came to the facility to demand the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the area. The Kremlin-backed rebels have declared autonomous "people's republics" in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk following sham referendums on 11 May. They say the two regions are no longer part of Ukraine.
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- Battle for Donetsk Airport: Ukrainian army clashes with Kremlin-backed militants in East Ukraine
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Full scale anti-terror operation underway says Ukraine army after hundreds of heavily armed Kremlin-backed militants attempted to seize control of the Donetsk International Airport. Fighting has spread to residential areas and the nearby rail station.
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- Russian Cossacks Arrested in Luhansk: Ukrainian security forces detain Kremlin-backed insurgents
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukraine's State Security Service on 26 May released video of Russian citizens - Don Cossacks - arrested in Luhansk province in eastern Ukraine during presidential elections on 25 May. According to the press release of the agency, the men traveled from Russia to Ukraine to disrupt the vote. Kremlin officials deny sending paramilitary groups to eastern Ukraine to stir up unrest, a claim disputed by officials in the United States, European Union and Ukraine.
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- Russian TV Broadcasts Fake Election Results: Kremlin channel claims nationalist Yarosh won vote
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukraine's presidential elections may have brought good news for the country, but the first round win for Petro Poroshenko was a blow to Moscow. Russia's First TV channel claimed on the Sunday evening news that the Kremlin's No. 1 bogeyman, Dmytro Yarosh, leader of the far-right Pravy Sektor Party was leading the race. During the "Sunday Time" news programme on the First Channel, the presenter, Irada Zeinalova pointed to a screen showing what she called "a strange picture". She claimed the graphic came from the Central Election Commission central server. According to this screen, Yarosh was leading with 37 of the votes, with Poroshenko far behind, with 29 percent. A great deal of Russian media attention in recent months has been devoted to the Ukrainian far right, yet the two far right presidential candidates, Dmytro Yarosh and Svoboda party leader Oleh Tynhyibok, consistently polled at around 1 percent. Electoral support for the far right in Ukraine is very low by European standards, ...
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- Poroshenko Claims Election Victory: Ukrainian billionaire set to become nation's fifth president
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Former foreign minister Petro Poroshenko has claimed has claimed victory in Ukraine's 25 May presidential election. Exit polls conducted by several research organizations said Poroshenko received between 56 and 58 percent of the vote, far ahead of his nearest rival, former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, who trailed with about 13 percent. Tymoshenko conceded the election in a speech Sunday night. Ukraine's government went ahead with the election despite threats from pro-Russian separatists in the east, who blocked access to polling places in Luhansk province. No voting stations were open in the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk, while a scant 16 percent voter turnout is reported in the entire Donetsk region.
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- Insurgents Storm Donetsk Airport: Kremlin-backed separatists close Donetsk International Airport
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The Donetsk International Airport in eastern Ukraine, has suspended flight services after Kremlin-backed insurgents stormed the facility early on 26 May. Airport officials at 0700 on 26 May said all flights to and from the airport are suspended indefinitely. Martial law was introduced in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on 25 May.
"Martial law is introduced in the territory of the DPR. The main purpose is to clear the Republic's territory of Ukrainian military units", Denis Pushilin, chairman of the presidium of the DPR Supreme Council explained.
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- Pope Francis in Bethlehem: Pontiff arrives in birthplace of Jesus during historic Holy Land tour
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Pope Francis made the pilgrimage to Bethlehem, believed by Christians to be the birth place of Jesus and thus becoming the first pontiff to travel directly to the West Bank rather than enter via Israel, in another nod to Palestinian statehood aspirations.
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- Putin rebukes Prince Charles for Hitler comparison: Charles compared Russian leader to Nazi dictator
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Britain's Prince Charles has refused to comment on claims he compared Russian President Vladimir Putin to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Charles, who was making his first public appearance since the allegations surfaced on May 21, also received an angry response from Putin during a press conference.
- Title
- Petro Poroshenko Wins Presidency: Exit polls show landslide victory for Ukraine's 'chocolate king'
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Petro Poroshenko becomes new Ukrainian president after a landslide first round victory in the Ukrainian Presidential Elections.
- Title
- Chechen fighters parade in Donetsk: Kremlin-backed insurgents bolstered by new troops from Chechnya
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Pro-Russian militants from the lawless Russian republic of Chechnya arrive in Ukraine to aid Donbass separatists.
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- Brussels Jewish Museum Anti-Semitic Attack: Four killed after gunman enters Jewish museum
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Security has been stepped up at Jewish sites across Belgium after four people were killed during a shooting at the Jewish Museum in central Brussels. Shortly after the attack a man was detained before being released without charge, a manhunt for a different suspect has now been launched.
- Title
- President Poroshenko: Exit polls say 'Chocolate King' Petro Poroshenko wins presidential election
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukrainian presidential candidate Petro Poroshenko says Ukrainians voted in high numbers in Sunday's elections, because they want to live in a democratic country, defeat separatists in the east and join the European Union.
- Title
- Russian Insurgents Flooding into Ukraine: Heavily-armed mercenary fighters crossing Ukrainian border
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- With Ukrainians out voting in a presidential election, concerns are mounting over security in the east of the country amid reports from the national border guard service that seven vehicles carrying armed individuals have been able to cross into Ukraine from Russia. Officials say the two cars and five trucks travelled on side roads located a short distance away from an official border point.
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- Donbass Voters Denied Democracy: Pro-Russia insurgents close down East Ukraine polling stations
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Ukrainians across the eastern regions of Luhansk and Donetsk have been unable to vote in today's presidential election. Pro-Russian militants in the region have orchestrated a campaign of terror, which has included violence and intimidation against polling station attendants.
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- East Ukraine Russian Insurgency: Ukrainian army confronted by Kremlin-trained separatist fighters
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- The presidential elections in Ukraine come at the end of the deadliest week of the insurgency so far with dozens killed by heavily armed pro-Russian separatists during multiple attacks across the east of the country.
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- Putin Depends on Pensioners: Young Ukrainians reject Russian reunion and embrace EU future
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- A new generation is coming of age in Ukraine, one that believes the spirit of democracy could counter the corruption that has plagued Ukraine since its independence in 1991. A quarter of Ukraine's population is 24 years of age or younger, meaning that a quarter of the population has no memory of a life stamped with the hammer and sickle of the USSR.
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- Real Madrid Champions League Victory: Madrid derby final ends in stunning 4-1 extra time triumph
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- Thousands of fans of football giants Real Madrid have been celebrating their team's Champions League victory in the Spanish capital. Real beat bitter rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 during a dramatic game in Lisbon, Portugal on Saturday night. Real coach Carlo Ancelotti was delighted to win the competition.
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- Russian Anti-Putin Cannes Film Angers Kremlin Minister: 'Leviathan' highlights Russian corruption
- Date posted
- 10 years ago
- Description
- A Russian drama about government corruption is just one film at this year's Cannes Film Festival competing for the prestigious Palme D'Or prize. The film Leviathan has received mostly good reviews following a press screening. Unfortunately though, one man is less than impressed -- and that's the Russian Culture minister.