Russia Responds to Sanctions: Bans All U.S. Food, EU Fruit and Vegs
Russia will ban all imports of food from the United States and all fruit and vegetables from Europe, Reuters reported.
Ukraine
NATO Says Russia Massing Troops Along Ukrainian Border
NATO is concerned that Russia has massed 20,000 combat-ready troops along Ukraine’s eastern border and could use the pretext of a humanitarian or peace-keeping mission to invade.
U.S. Releases Images Showing Russian Military Firing into Ukraine
The United States released a series of satellite images Sunday that appear to support its claims that Russian forces have fired across the border into Ukraine to support rebels there, suggesting a new level of direct Russian involvement in the conflict, USA Today reported.
Separatists Hand Over Bodies, Black Boxes from Ukraine Crash Site
A senior Ukrainian separatist leader handled over the remains of nearly 300 victims and the black boxes of the Malaysian Airlines plane downed last week, Reuters reported.
Russia Involved in Malaysian Airline Crash
Russia supplied sophisticated missile launchers to separatists in Eastern Ukraine, a U.S. official told the Washington Post. Meanwhile, separatists prevented international investigators from gaining unfettered access to the crash site on Saturday.
Malaysian Airliner Shot Down Over Ukraine
A Malaysia Airlines plane with 295 people on board was shot down over Ukraine, Sky News reported.
Russia Considers ‘Surgical Strikes’ Against Ukraine
Russia is considering ‘surgical retaliatory strikes’ after a Russian citizen was killed over the weekend, RIA Novosti reported.
Ukraine Says Russian Building its Troops Along its Border
Ukraine accused Russia of building up its troops along its border and said Russian Army officers joined separatists fighting against government troops.
Three Bridges Destroyed Leading to Separatist Stronghold City of Donetsk
Three bridges were destroyed on roads leading to the pro-Russian separatist controlled city of Donetsk on Monday.
Ukrainian Troops Recapture Slovyansk as Pro-Russian Separatists Retreat
After several days of intense battles, Ukrainian troops finally raised its country’s flag over the eastern city of Slovyansk — a key pro-Russian separatist stronghold, marking the end of the separatist’s rule over the city.
Ukrainian Ends Cease-Fire, Launches Military Operation Against Separatists (Video)
Ukrainian forces launched new military operations against pro-Russian separatists, hours after the expiration of a unilateral cease-fire.
Former Soviet Bloc Nations Sign EU Agreements
Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova signed sweeping trade and political agreements with the European Union, risking a widening rift with Russia who strongly opposed any deal.
Separatists Break Ceasefire; Attack Ukrainian Forces at Airport
Hours before Ukraine signs a trade agreement with the European Union, Pro-Russian separatists defied a government ceasefire and attacked Ukrainian government forces at an airport in east Ukraine.
Ukraine Set to Sign EU Trade Agreement
An economic trade agreement between Ukraine and the European Union that served as a catalyst for months of protests, the exile of former Ukrainian president, and the death of scores of Ukrainians, is set to be signed on Friday.
Pro-Russian Militias Seize Tank Base in Ukraine
Pro-Russian Militas took control of a tank base in Ukraine seizing 221 tanks, 288 armored vehicles, 12 self-propelled guns, 18 Grad volley fire systems, 183 infantry vehicles, and 12 mortars, Interfax reported.
U.S. Broadens Sanctions on Russia; Putin Places 65,000 Troops on Alert
Over 65,000 Russian troops were placed on combat alert and ordered to take part in readiness drills by Russian President Vladmir Putin. Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department levied sanctions against seven separatists with broader measures being readied against finance, defense, and technology industries, Bloomberg reported.
Unilateral Cease-Fire May Be Declared in Ukraine
Ukraine announced it may declare a “temporary, unilateral, cease-fire” in the eastern part of Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Gas Cut to Ukraine, as Russia Has 38,000 Troops on Border
Russia has amassed as many as 38,000 soldiers on its borders with Ukraine and continues to supply arms and personnel to rebel forces in the eastern part of the country, Ukraine’s National Security Council chief said.
Satellite Images show Russian Tanks in Ukraine, NATO says
NATO provided new satellite images that reveal Russian tanks are operating in the eastern part of Ukraine and raise significant questions concerning Russia’s role in ‘facilitating instability’ in the region.
Russia Threatens to halt Gas Supplies to Ukraine
After Ukraine failed to pay its debt to Gazprom, the company says any future Russian gas supplies must be paid up front.