One of the reasons Kiev‘s putting its faith in the loyalty of its new National Guard, is arguably because morale within army units is wavering – with some soldiers already switching sides. Paula Slier talked to some of the those who, just days ago, didn‘t expect they would be ordered to use force against their own people.

“Last night, no representatives from any Ukrainian organization were in Slavyansk, but for saboteurs and criminals,” the press service said, adding that it was proved by the investigation Ukrainian law enforcers were carrying out in that town. (..)

The Ukrainian Security Service denied media reports that Right Sector radicals had taken part in the skirmish.

“There are two obvious ways,” she said. “Number one is adoption of the necessary laws and changes to the Constitution that would allow the Ukrainians to feel harmony, understanding, and integrity of their territory.”
“This implies, among other things, a much stronger local self-government, including the right to elect the local bodies of power,” said Tymoshenko, whose past political record includes performance in the capacity of prime minister. “Number two is financial independence of our regions.”

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Laut diesem Plan werde Washington nur in den wenigen Bereichen mit Russland kooperieren, in denen die Interessen beider Länder identisch sind. Im System der internationalen Beziehungen wollen die USA Moskau ignorieren und auf eine internationale Isolation Moskaus hinarbeiten, so das Blatt.

A casus belli – genuine, manufactured or coerced? Every such incident will now continually raise that spectre.

A need for a timely, competent and transparent police investigation into each and every incident that will probably follow is now required. And one that is perceived to be independent by victims, offenders and the public at large alike.

Ukraine‘s Interior Ministry, which confirmed that three men were shot dead and three others were injured during the incident, adding that it believed the event to be fabricated.

In a statement on its website, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) called the incident a „cynical provocation“ and said it, too, believed the whole thing was staged.

Russia‘s RIA Novosti and Life News blamed the far-right nationalist group Right Sector for instigating the gun battle. In a video report, Life News showed what it said was the body of one man killed during the shootout next to weapons, ammunition and gear left behind by Right Sector members at the scene. It also showed crisp U.S. $100 bills, uncreased printed satellite images of Slovyansk from Google Maps.

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Auch Milizen-Anführer Ponomarjow meldete sich auf einer Pressekonferenz zu Wort. Er bat die russische Regierung, Friedenstruppen in die Region zu entsenden, um die Menschen vor der Nationalgarde und dem Rechten Sektor zu schützen. (…)

Ein Sprecher der beschuldigten Ultranationalisten wies die Vorwürfe empört zurück. Er machte russische Spezialkräfte für den Angriff verantwortlich.

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