Red Cross Worker Killed in Donetsk - UCC Crisis in Ukraine Briefing

Photo sourced from www.globeandmail.com

Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
3 October, 4 PM Kyiv time


1. Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council (RNBO) stated at 12PM Kyiv time that Kremlin-backed terrorists continue to violate conditions of the ceasefire.  On 2 October, a school in Shchastya was hit by shells; no one was injured. During the last 24 hours, battles continued at the Donetsk airport. The RNBO stated that on 2 October, Ukrainian forces twice repelled attacks on the airport. Ukrainian reconnaissance identified a large amount of heavy military equipment and heavy artillery arriving in the area near the airport. Near Nevelske, Ukrainian forces repelled an attack on a base camp. In southern Donetsk oblast near Mariupol, Ukrainian intelligence units identified the arrival of military equipment of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, as well as units of the 100th reconnaissance brigade of the Russian armed forces from Northern Ossetiya. In the last 24 hours, 2 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 9 injured.

2. International Red Cross worker killed in Donetsk
The International Committee of the Red Cross confirmed that one of its staff, Laurent DuPasquier, was killed in Donetsk on 2 October. DuPasquier, an administrator in the Red Cross’ office in Donetsk, a 38-year-old Swiss national, was killed when a shell landed near the premises. Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council stated that on 2 October “at about 18:30 [Kyiv time], as a result of shelling by terrorists of the central districts of Donetsk, a worker of the International Red Cross was killed. […] This is not the first incident when the actions of the terrorists threaten the lives of representatives of international organizations. In fact, terrorists are trying to block the efforts of international organization trying to bring peace to the Donbas.”

Link to Globe and Mail article on the topic: Swiss Red Cross worker killed by shell in Ukraine's Donetsk.

3. US Assistant Secretary of State: Ukraine working hard to promote peace

Delivering the keynote address at the 2014 US-Central Europe Strategy Forum in Washington on 2 October, US Assistant Secretary of State, V. Nuland stated, “Today we must maintain that solidarity with Ukraine and unity within the Transatlantic community. Implementing sanctions isn’t easy and many countries are paying a steep price. We know that. But history shows that the cost of inaction and disunity in the face of a determined aggressor will be higher. The history of Central Europe itself teaches us that. So when leaders are tempted to make statements that tear at the fabric of our resolve, I would ask them to remember their own national history, and how they wished their neighbors had stood with them. Ukraine is working hard to promote peace and change to meet its people’s expectations. It is fulfilling its commitments under the September 5 Minsk agreement—it passed amnesty legislation, a special status law for the east, and is working with Russia to demarcate the special status zone. Now Russia and its proxies must do their part – withdraw their forces and all the heavy weapons that have flooded the east, restore Ukrainian sovereignty on the international border, withdraw heavy weapons there too, and return all the hostages—notably, including Nadiya Savchenko and Oleg Sentsov. When the Minsk agreement is fully implemented, we can and will begin to roll back some sanctions. It is in Russia’s hands when that day comes.”

4. Ukrainian President to sign lustration law
Ukrainian President P. Poroshenko stated that he will sign the law on lustration passed by Parliament, though he does not believe the law is ideal. Poroshenko stated, “It is not flawless. It has a lot of problematic moments. A lot of innocent people will have to go through a humiliating procedure. I am not happy with that. I’d wish for the better. But in the current circumstances, the law will be signed. […] I am confident that the given law is rather positive than negative and it will make Ukraine better.” The press service of the President stated that Poroshenko “emphasized that he would study the recommendations of the Venice Commission and the Constitutional Court, the decision of the EU on harmonization of Ukrainian legislation, the decision of the Council of Europe and the recommendations of the European Court of Human Rights. […]In case of remarks from the Venice Commission and the Constitutional Court, the President doesn’t exclude the possibility of making amendments to the given law.”