Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
7 April
2014
1. Unrest in
Eastern Ukraine
Pro-Russian
separatist “demonstrations” took place in Kharkiv, Donetsk and Luhansk. The
Donetsk Oblast State Administration building was seized by the demonstrators;
in Luhansk demonstrators seized the Security Service of Ukraine building – some
8 people were injured; in Kharkiv pro-Russian protestors attacked a Ukraine
unity rally – some 10 people were injured - and seized the Kharkiv Oblast State
Administration. In Donetsk, separatists declared an “independent Donetsk
republic,” said that they will hold a “referendum” on the status of Donetsk,
and asked Russia to send in “peacekeepers.’ The Donetsk General Prosecutor
stated that those responsible for the seizure of buildings and declarations of
separatism have been identified, and measures are being taken to detain them. Ukrainian
authorities stated that the protests are the result of a plan of the Russian
Federation to destabilize the situation in eastern Ukraine. According to
reports many of those who seized government buildings are in fact citizens of
the Russian Federation. The pro-Russian protests in Eastern Ukraine carry similar
characteristics to actions in Crimea leading up to the Russian invasion of
Crimea; the threat of Russian invasion into eastern Ukraine remains very real.
2. Turchynov addresses nation on separatist actions in Eastern Ukraine
Acting President of Ukraine O.
Turchynov addressed the people of Ukraine on separatism in eastern Ukraine.
Turchynov stated that “Yesterday the second wave of a special operation by the Russian Federation began, the goal of which is the destabilization of the
situation in Ukraine, the overthrow of the Ukrainian [government], undermining
the election and tearing apart our country.” Turchynov stated that the
separatist actions are an attempt to institute the “Crimean scenario” in
eastern Ukraine. The government of Ukraine has formed an Anti-crisis
headquarters, and will carry out anti-terrorist actions against armed groups of
separatists. The eastern border has been strengthened, and “taking into account
the passivity of some of the local law enforcement bodies,” the units will be
strengthened with personnel from other regions. First deputy premier V. Yarema,
Minister of Internal Affairs A. Avakov and Security and Defense Council
Secretary A. Parubiy and head of the State Security Service V. Nalyvaychenko
have been sent to Donetsk, Kharkiv and Luhansk, respectively, to regulate the
situation. Turchynov also stated that on Tuesday Ukraine’s parliament will
consider imposing criminal responsibility for separatism and other crimes
against the state. Parliament will also consider a ban on political parties and
organizations that support separatism and are “working for the aggressor,
against their own state and people."
On 6 April, in Novofedorivka, a
Russian serviceman shot and killed a Ukrainian armed forces major, S.
Karachevsky. 2068 military personnel and their families have been evacuated
from Crimea.
4. State Security
Service: Organizer of diversionary group detained
The State Security Service detained R. Bannykh, a Russian
citizen registered at an address that is a building of the Russian Armed Forces
General Staff Intelligence Service, when he tried to cross the border into
Ukraine. According to the State Security Service, Bannykh “directly organized
and coordinated from the Russian Federation the work of a diversionary group
that was active in Ukraine.” The goal of this group was the “overthrow of the
constitutional order and seizure of power, carrying out terrorist acts, the
support of separatism, and destabilization of the situation in the eastern
regions of [the] state.”
5. NATO denies access to Russian Mission
Effective
April 8, all representatives of the Russian Mission to NATO, except the
Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission and two support staff, will be denied access
to NATO Headquarters. “Should any other staff require access for official
business, standard visiting rules will apply.” The denial of access is the
result of NATO’s decision to cease all practical cooperation with Russia as a
result of Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea.
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