SBU detains man in Zaporizhia Oblast under suspicion of preparing mass protests
On April 30, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) detained a Ukrainian citizen in Melitopol, Zaporizhia Oblast, under suspicion of coordinating mass protests with pro-Russian separatist groups, reports the SBU press center.
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The man was detained as part of the Ukrainian government’s anti-terrorist operation.
SBU officials believe that the man planned to organize mass disturbances and seizures of government buildings in Melitopol on May 1.
An investigation is underway. — Isaac D. Webb
Pro-Russian insurgents occupy Alchevsk city council building
6:11 p.m. — According to the Luhansk-based portal 0642.ua, a group of about 30 pro-Russian insurgents walked into the Alchevsk city council building on April 30, where they were later joined by a larger group of protesters.
Citing a spokesperson for the regional organization for the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, 0642.ua reported that the separatists “held talks with local officials, and a second flag emerged above the city hall. However, the flag is not Russian but of Alchevsk. The Ukrainian one has been removed. The majority of the executive committee staff was released after lunch, their bosses remain at their workplaces. A rally is expected in the evening.” — Isaac D. Webb
Poll finds Donetsk residents think Kyiv government is illigitimate
5:55 p.m. — According to a poll of 3,232 citizens of eight oblasts in southeastern Ukraine conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology from april 8-16, 50.8 percent of respondents were “sure” or “inclined to think” that interim President Oleksandr Turchynov is an illegitimate leader. In Donetsk Oblast, that figure was 74 perent.
Nearly 50 percent of respondents in Donetsk Oblast said they were “sure” or “inclined to think” that Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, wields power illegitimately.
In Donetk Oblast, more than 70 percent of respondents considered the EuroMaidan Revolution an “armed coup organized by the opposition with the help of the West.” — Isaac D. Webb
Rebels take Alchevsk city
council building
5 p.m. – At 11
a.m. today Kremlin-backed militants seized the Alchevsk city council in Luhansk
building, UNIAN reports. A pro-Russian rally is scheduled for 5 p.m. According
to the Interior Ministry, “terrorists control eight city council buildings and
four law enforcement buildings in Donbass (Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts).” – Mark Rachkevych
Barroso:
‘No doubt’ Putin wants full control of Ukraine
4:50 p.m. – Speaking
in Washington, D.C. at the Atlantic Council think tank, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said
that Russia isn’t accepting Ukraine’s independence. He added that “no doubt”
Russian President Vladimir Putin wants full control of Ukraine. – Mark Rachkevych
Latest Russian agent
trained in Crimea before being sent to mainland
4:40 p.m. – The
latest subversive that Ukraine’s spy agency nabbed was trained in Feodosia,
Crimea by Russian military personnel, the Security Service of Ukraine
announced. He was recruited while on a trip to Crimea and was paid Hr 100
daily. After completing instruction, he led
a group of 10 subversives during separatist activity on April 6-8 in
Kharkiv connected to the seizure of government buildings. He is suspected of
state treason. – Mark Rachkevych
Akhmetov:
‘I am not selling business and will continue to invest in Ukraine’
4:15 p.m. – Ukraine’s richest man
businessman Rinat Akhmetov said in a statement that he doesn’t have plans to
sell his business to the Russians.
“My position is firm – our
country must be united,” the Donetsk-based billionaire stated. “And I will be
doing everything I can to ensure that Donbass and Ukraine are together. With
belief in Donbass and in Ukraine I am investing and will continue to invest in
my country.” – Mark Rachkevych
Rebels seize Donetsk Oblast tax
service and eastern customs office
4:07 p.m. – Pro-Russian
separatists have taken over the government tax collection office and eastern customs office, reports UNIAN. No further details were immediately reported.
The news agency also reported that earlier today rebels have
kidnapped a Donetsk Electoral Commission member, citing Andriy Mahera, the
deputy head of the Central Election Commission. – Mark Rachkevych
Ukraine to conduct military exercises in Kyiv tonight
3:40 p.m. — The press service of the Kyiv City State Administration has announced that the Ukrainian military will conduct military execercises in the center of Kyiv beginning on the night of April 30 and ending on the morning of May 1.
The press service’s statement says that “As part of the exercises…columns of military vehicles will move in the city. Please note that the deployment of personnel and machinery will be held in the center of the city.”
May 1, Labor Day, is a major public holiday in Ukraine. — Isaac D. Webb
Turchynov: Ukraine is “helpless” to restore order in Luhansk, Donetsk Oblasts
2:30 p.m. — Interim President Oleksandr Turchynov said in a meeting with regional governors on April 30 that Ukraine is “helpless” to quell pro-Russian separatist movements in the eastern part of the country.
“I will be frank: Today, security forces are unable to quickly take the situation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions under control,” said Turchynov.
He said that the situation has detriorated to the point that Kyiv cannont control its own troops. In recent weeks, numerous Ukrainian military and security personnel have defected, turning over their arms to pro-Russian insurgents and joining the separatist movment.
“”The security bodies … are unable to carry out their duties of protecting citizens. They are helpless in those matters. Moreover, some of those units are either helping or cooperating with terrorist organizations,” said the interim President.
Turchynov stressed that Kyiv would focus on securing Kharkiv and Odesa Oblasts, which are not yet under the control of Kremlin-backed militants. — Isaac D. Webb
Armed pro-Russian rebels storm Horlivka city council
10:15 a.m. — In the
latest flare-up in Ukraine’s embattled east, armed pro-Russian men in
camouflage and masks stormed the Horlivka city council building just as dawn
broke around 5 a.m., according to local
news website Gorlovka.ua.
According
to City Hall employees who arrived to work around 7:30 a.m., four men with
Kalashnikov automatic rifles men guarded the entrance to the building, reports
Gorlovka.ua. A few were seen in the building’s lobby, and its back door was
barricaded with three vehicles.
Executive
committee members are said to have negotiated with the armed men to allow city
workers to enter their offices and presume their duties, the news site reports.
They are awaiting further information from the mayor about the situation.
Previously, pro-Russian
militants on April 14 stormed the Horlivka police station, breaking down its
doors and shattering windows, as hundreds of bystanders cheered them on. They then brutally beat the city’s police chief, Andriy Kryschenko, dragged him outside and forced him to his knees. He was transported to a local hospital and treated for injuries sustained during the attack. — Christopher J. Miller
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