Shelling intensified in eastern Ukraine overnight on Wednesday, with Kiev and rebels trading blame for opening fire. Local officials said 19 people, both civilians and militiamen, were killed and over a hundred injured in the bombardment. “With the onset of daylight the Ukrainian artillery carried out a large-scale shelling of settlements in the Donetsk People’s Republic almost on the entire extension... 

Russia has threatened to adopt countermeasures if NATO deploys its ballistic missile system in Ukraine. “If the point at issue is Ukraine’s wish to host US missile defense components, of course this can be perceived only negatively, because that would pose a threat to Russia’s security,” Russian presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said on Wednesday. “This will entail the need for taking... 

Would require Russia to take responsive measures to provide for its own security. Ukrainian National Security Service Secretary Oleksander Turchynov said that Kiev may consider placing missile defense systems in its territory after consultations, APA reports quoting RIA Novosti. “If this means that Ukraine plans to deploy elements of US missile defense systems on its territory, then, obviously,... 

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk raised many eyebrows in the West with his “expressive” speech in Berlin. According to him, Putin’s goal is to lead a war against the West, so Ukraine asks the West to help him protect Europe and the European Union. Merkel praised Ukraine’s current economic reforms and promised to fund them. Now German Chancellor Merkel knows who is... 

International rating agency Moody’s has downgraded the long-term issuer rating of Ukraine to the second lowest Ca grade from Caa3, leaving the outlook negative and a high possibility of the country’s imminent default. “Although negotiations over the specific details of the restructuring are only now getting underway, Moody’s believes that the likelihood of a distressed exchange, and... 

The US House has passed a resolution calling on President Barack Obama to send lethal weapons to Ukraine, despite the fragile truce in the eastern part of the country. The non-binding resolution was approved by an overwhelming majority of 348-48. Sending weapons to the Kiev government would not mean involvement in a new war for America, claimed US Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.), a Democrat on the House... 

A visit to a pharmacy is like a tour to a museum for many Ukrainians now. They rather come to check out the price tags than to buy anything. Pensioners, the biggest clients of pharmacies, have been suffering the most. The hryvnia has seen 40-percent devaluation over the last month and an 11 percent tax has been levied on almost all imported goods. This has forced many Ukrainians to do without any... 

Ukraine has concluded deals with eleven countries of the EU on delivery of weapons, including lethal, President Petro Poroshenko told the country’s TV. He, however, didn’t mention which countries will provide ‘defensive aid’ to Kiev. “The Head of State has informed that Ukraine had contracts with a series of the EU countries on the supply of armament, inter alia, lethal one. He has reminded... 

UK traffic diverted through Ukraine included nuclear weapon maker AWE. Sensitive data from around 170 major companies, including the UK’s Atomic Weapons Establishment and Lockheed Martin, might have be compromised after British Telecom web traffic was accidentally rerouted through Ukraine. The hijacking of the companies took place over a 90-minute period Thursday, while many British Telecom customers... 

A curious insert placed into today’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) report for President Putin states that the bodies of a number of US Marines killed during last months Battle of Debaltseve have begun “mysteriously” appearing upon a Gulf of Mexico beach in Florida. According to this report, the MoD reported last month that the Obama regime had “effectively abandoned” at least 150 US troops embedded... 

West behind overthrow of Ukrainian government, former congressman says. The overthrow of the legally elected government of Ukraine was “was not only supported by U.S. and EU governments — much of it was actually planned by them,” former congressman Dr. Ron Paul said. In his weekly column posted Sunday, Dr. Paul blamed western interventionism for the death and destruction in Ukraine’s ongoing... 

At least three people have been killed in an explosion in the center of Kharkov, Ukraine, during a peace march, local media report. Around 500 people had gathered in the center of the Kiev-controlled city for a rally. Those marching in the front were hurt, with Tass reporting from the scene that at least 10 people sustained injuries and three others were killed. Other outlets speak of four and eight... 

Ukraine has agreed to increase the cost of gas to consumer by 280 percent, and 66 percent for heating, as part of the IMF terms for getting extra financial aid, says Valery Gontareva the head of the National Bank of Ukraine. “From now on, in accordance with our joint program with the IMF, the tariffs will see rather a sharp increase of 280 percent for gas and about 66 percent for heat,”... 

Some government troops have retreated from the strategic eastern Ukrainian town of Debaltsevo, which has been besieged by pro-Russia forces, sources say. “We are evacuating some of our units,” Ilya Kiva, a local police officer, said on Wednesday morning, adding, “But full-scale street fighting continues, and there was also a small tank battle.” The pro-Russians said they have the town under... 

A stunning new report prepared by the Ministry of Defense (MoD) circulating in the Kremlin today states that the Obama regime has “effectively abandoned” at least 150 US troops embedded with over Ukrainian 5,000 forces in the rebel surrounded town of Debaltseve in eastern Ukraine and left by Kiev’s government to die. According to this report, the US troops currently under rebel siege are an...