unian--2020-08-16--Nationwide strike to begin in Belarus on Aug 17

Nationwide strike to begin in Belarus on Aug 17 It will last `` until the requirements of the people are met . ''
Protesters in Belarus have announced a nationwide strike will begin on Monday , August 17 .
`` [ It will continue ] until the requirements of the people are met , '' according to an announcement on the NEXTA Live Telegram channel .
Read alsoReuters : Putin says ready to help Belarus president militarily if necessary • On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
• The country 's Central Election Commission announced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 80.1 % of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , 10.1 % voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 1.67 % for Anna Kanopatskaya , 1.2 % for Andrey Dmitriev , and 1.14 % for Sergei Cherechnya .
Some 4.59 % voted against all candidates .
• On the evening of August 9 , thousands of Belarusians took to the streets to take part in spontaneous rallies , which was followed by clashes with law enforcement .
The police in Minsk used water cannons , tear gas , stun grenades , and fired rubber bullets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs announced about 3,000 protesters were detained on the night of August 10 , more than 2,000 people on the night of August 11 , and more than 1,000 on the third night of the protests in different towns and cities across the country .
• The ministry confirmed one of the protesters had died .
As of today , there were reports about two deaths among protesters .
• The UN has condemned the violence and violation of human rights in Belarus , a number of countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atrocities .
• Belarus ' largest March of Freedom began across the country on August 16 .
In turn , the Belarusian authorities reportedly bussed workers of state-run enterprises and organizations to the center of Minsk to arrange a pro-government rally .
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Protesters in Belarus have announced a nationwide strike will begin on Monday, August 17.
"[It will continue] until the requirements of the people are met," according to an announcement on the NEXTA Live Telegram channel.


unian--2020-08-16--Protesters in Belarus to hold largest March of Freedom on Sunday

Rallies will be held in Minsk and other Belarusian towns and cities .
Protesters in Belarus have announced the largest March of Freedom in that country 's history .
The event is expected to begin at 14:00 local time on August 16 .
The announcement appeared on the Belarusian opposition Telegram channel NEXTA Live , the largest by the number of subscribers .
Read alsoLukashenko 's deal with Putin : Russia to provide `` comprehensive assistance '' upon request The event in Minsk will start from Independence Avenue , participants will walk along the central streets and squares .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities and towns of the country .
`` Sunday is the day of the largest , exceptionally peaceful march in the history of Belarus ; we will march along the streets and avenues of our cities , with smiles and dignity .
We will go out with families , communities , work collectives .
We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who at this turning point was on the side of the people .
Let us remember all those who have suffered in the struggle for freedom , '' the announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the united opposition , Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , called on mayors of the cities and towns to become the organizers of the protests on August 15 and August 16 and to stop bloodshed during peaceful rallies .
The Belarusian authorities , in turn , are preparing a large rally in Minsk in support of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , who claimed he had won a landslide victory in the latest presidential election .
State employees are being bussed to the rally in Minsk from across the country .

Rallies will be held in Minsk and other Belarusian towns and cities.
Protesters in Belarus have announced the largest March of Freedom in that country's history.
The event is expected to begin at 14:00 local time on August 16. The announcement appeared on the Belarusian opposition Telegram channel NEXTA Live, the largest by the number of subscribers.
Read alsoLukashenko's deal with Putin: Russia to provide "comprehensive assistance" upon request
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The event in Minsk will start from Independence Avenue, participants will walk along the central streets and squares.
The march will simultaneously take place in other cities and towns of the country.
"Sunday is the day of the largest, exceptionally peaceful march in the history of Belarus; we will march along the streets and avenues of our cities, with smiles and dignity. We will go out with families, communities, work collectives. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who at this turning point was on the side of the people. Let us remember all those who have suffered in the struggle for freedom," the announcement said.
Earlier, the leader of the united opposition, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, called on mayors of the cities and towns to become the organizers of the protests on August 15 and August 16 and to stop bloodshed during peaceful rallies.
The Belarusian authorities, in turn, are preparing a large rally in Minsk in support of incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko, who claimed he had won a landslide victory in the latest presidential election. State employees are being bussed to the rally in Minsk from across the country.


unian--2020-08-17--Russia weary of Donbas war, Kravchuk "feels"

However , if Russia fails to go for any concessions , Ukraine will be looking for other settlement options , beyond the Minsk format , suggests delegation chief .
Russian leadership and society have grown tired of war in Donbas , that 's per head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) on Donbas settlement , first president of independent Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk .
`` I listen closely to all Russians : president [ Vladimir Putin ] , foreign minister [ Sergei Lavrov ] , [ Deputy Head of Russia 's Presidential Administration Dmitry ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Trilateral Contact Group ( TCG ) Boris ] Gryzlov .
I feel they want peace in Donbas .
I do feel it .
I do n't guarantee that I 've already understood everything in detail and took a peek inside their minds , I beg your pardon .
But I think Russia is also weary of the war since Russian mothers , whose sons have been dying in Donbas , cry the same bitter tears as Ukrainian mothers do .
Therefore , the war must n't continue .
The end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Segodnya newspaper on August 17 , answering the question about whether he believes Moscow will insist on a new law on the special status of Donbas when the current legislation expires .
The Russian side will no longer be focusing the issue of Donbas status , Kravchuk has suggested , while admitting that Moscow might as well not go for any concessions .
Read alsoDonbas war : Will renaming `` special status '' for `` special regime '' be of any help to Ukraine '' I 'm convinced they 'll no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are talking about .
If we feel– and I admit this could be the case – that they are not into any concessions , while we show we 're ready and they say 'No ' – well , then , at least I 'll have enough courage , strength , and will to say that we 've done everything we could based on the Ukrainian legal framework , the Constitution , and international law , but we 've been left unheard and so , I see that the Minsk process has no prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other options , '' he summed up .
The Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , passed the draft law on the special status of Donbas , to be in force for three years , which has since been extended twice .
The document says the special order of local government in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Donbas shall come into force only after all illegal armed groups withdraw from Ukrainian territory .
In December 2020 , the Ukrainian parliament will have to endorse another extension or pass a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that at Berlin talks between the advisers to the Normandy leaders ( Ukraine , Germany , France , and Russia ) , the Russian side demanded that Kyiv before July 6 submit via the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk a draft amendment to the Constitution of Ukraine on the future special status of certain regions of Donbas .
Read alsoUkrainian envoy says Ukraine may initiate new Budapest Memorandum if Minsk talks failThe `` special status '' of Donbas , or the law on a special procedure for local government in the occupied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Ukrainian public , although officials reassure Ukrainians they will make no moves in this direction until Russia pulls its troops from the country 's east .
The Kremlin has been exerting constant pressure on Kyiv , demanding that the law be passed without Moscow fulfilling its obligations to withdraw troops , military equipment , and hand back control over the border sections in the region back to Ukraine .
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , Ruslan Stefanchuk says the issue of granting special status to Russia-occupied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

However, if Russia fails to go for any concessions, Ukraine will be looking for other settlement options, beyond the Minsk format, suggests delegation chief.
Russian leadership and society have grown tired of war in Donbas, that's per head of the Ukrainian delegation to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) on Donbas settlement, first president of independent Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk.
"I listen closely to all Russians: president [Vladimir Putin], foreign minister [Sergei Lavrov], [Deputy Head of Russia's Presidential Administration Dmitry] Kozak, and [Russia's envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) Boris] Gryzlov. I feel they want peace in Donbas. I do feel it. I don't guarantee that I've already understood everything in detail and took a peek inside their minds, I beg your pardon. But I think Russia is also weary of the war since Russian mothers, whose sons have been dying in Donbas, cry the same bitter tears as Ukrainian mothers do. Therefore, the war mustn't continue. The end of it must be peace," Kravchuk told the Segodnya newspaper on August 17, answering the question about whether he believes Moscow will insist on a new law on the special status of Donbas when the current legislation expires.
I don't guarantee that I've already understood everything in detail and took a peek inside their minds, I beg your pardon
The Russian side will no longer be focusing the issue of Donbas status, Kravchuk has suggested, while admitting that Moscow might as well not go for any concessions.
Read alsoDonbas war: Will renaming "special status" for "special regime" be of any help to Ukraine"I'm convinced they'll no longer be focusing on the issues you are talking about. If we feel– and I admit this could be the case – that they are not into any concessions, while we show we're ready and they say 'No' – well, then, at least I'll have enough courage, strength, and will to say that we've done everything we could based on the Ukrainian legal framework, the Constitution, and international law, but we've been left unheard and so, I see that the Minsk process has no prospects. We are starting to look for other options," he summed up.
Donbas status: background
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, passed the draft law on the special status of Donbas, to be in force for three years, which has since been extended twice. The document says the special order of local government in certain districts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Donbas shall come into force only after all illegal armed groups withdraw from Ukrainian territory.
In December 2020, the Ukrainian parliament will have to endorse another extension or pass a new law.
On July 3, Spiegel reported that at Berlin talks between the advisers to the Normandy leaders (Ukraine, Germany, France, and Russia), the Russian side demanded that Kyiv before July 6 submit via the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk a draft amendment to the Constitution of Ukraine on the future special status of certain regions of Donbas.
Read alsoUkrainian envoy says Ukraine may initiate new Budapest Memorandum if Minsk talks failThe "special status" of Donbas, or the law on a special procedure for local government in the occupied areas, is a cause of concern for Ukrainian public, although officials reassure Ukrainians they will make no moves in this direction until Russia pulls its troops from the country's east.
The Kremlin has been exerting constant pressure on Kyiv, demanding that the law be passed without Moscow fulfilling its obligations to withdraw troops, military equipment, and hand back control over the border sections in the region back to Ukraine.
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk says the issue of granting special status to Russia-occupied Donbas may be put to a referendum.


unian--2020-08-17--"Invasion": Lithuania's Linkevicius comments on possible Russian military aid to Belarus

Such assistance `` would destroy the last traces of its independence '' , the Lithuanian foreign minister emphasized .
Russian military assistance to the neighboring Belarus amid mounting unrest would constitute `` an invasion '' , Lithuanian Foreign Minister has said .
`` There are no reasons for military support from Russia , and no legal or other grounds for it .
It would constitute an invasion into the country and would destroy the last traces of its independence '' , Linkevicius told reporters in Vilnius on Monday , Europeiska Pravda reports citing Reuters .
`` Russia would risk a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face of what is going on in Belarus , in the face of the popular support .
It should figure out that an invasion would not be justified , neither legally , nor morally , nor politically , '' he added , US News reported , also with the reference to Reuters .
Lukashenko over the course of the last few days spoke with his Russian counterpart over the phone at least twice , as officially reported .
`` [ A ] t our very first request , comprehensive assistance will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the security of the Republic of Belarus , '' said Lukashenko .
In another phone call between the two on Sunday , Putin had told Alexander Lukashenko Russia was ready to offer military assistance if necessary , according to Reuters , as demonstrators gathered for the biggest protests against Lukashenko 's re-election .
Earlier , Lukashenko complained about external interference in his country 's affairs , hinting at a western plot toward a `` color revolution '' .
An OSINT group Conflict Intelligence Team has reported that the Kremlin is deploying its RosGvardia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wagons to the border with Belarus .

Such assistance "would destroy the last traces of its independence", the Lithuanian foreign minister emphasized.
Russian military assistance to the neighboring Belarus amid mounting unrest would constitute "an invasion", Lithuanian Foreign Minister has said.
"There are no reasons for military support from Russia, and no legal or other grounds for it. It would constitute an invasion into the country and would destroy the last traces of its independence", Linkevicius told reporters in Vilnius on Monday, Europeiska Pravda reports citing Reuters.
"Russia would risk a lot if it did it, in the face of what is going on in Belarus, in the face of the popular support. It should figure out that an invasion would not be justified, neither legally, nor morally, nor politically," he added, US News reported, also with the reference to Reuters.
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Russian assistance to Belarus amid protests
Lukashenko over the course of the last few days spoke with his Russian counterpart over the phone at least twice, as officially reported.
"[A]t our very first request, comprehensive assistance will be provided [by Russia] to ensure the security of the Republic of Belarus," said Lukashenko.
In another phone call between the two on Sunday, Putin had told Alexander Lukashenko Russia was ready to offer military assistance if necessary, according to Reuters, as demonstrators gathered for the biggest protests against Lukashenko's re-election.
Earlier, Lukashenko complained about external interference in his country's affairs, hinting at a western plot toward a "color revolution".
An OSINT group Conflict Intelligence Team has reported that the Kremlin is deploying its RosGvardia [Russian Guard] troops and paddy wagons to the border with Belarus.


unian--2020-08-17--Ukraine needs second IMF tranche – NBU Governor

The central banks and the government are focusing on the implementation of the memo signed with the key donor .
Ukraine expects more loan tranches from the International Monetary Fund , says Kyrylo Shevchenko , governor of the National Bank .
The NBU hopes to receive the second tranche as early as this year , Shevchenko has told RBC Ukraine .
`` At the moment , our fresh macro forecast is built on the assumption that there will be a second tranche this year , '' Shevchenko said .
Read alsoIMF hopes Ukraine central bank chief will keep the bank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment the NBU and the government are focusing on the implementation of the memorandum signed with the key donor .
Ukraine is `` successfully moving '' along the path of fulfilling Memorandum 's provisions , including structural beacons , chief banker said , adding that Ukraine is in constant dialogue with the IMF and other international partners .
The NBU chief could not directly answer the question of when the program of cooperation with the IMF will be revised .
It was initially set to be reviewed in September .
`` Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exact dates will be clear closer to the end of August , '' the NBU said .
The IMF Executive Board on June 9 approved an 18-month Stand-By Arrangement ( SBA ) for Ukraine , with access equivalent to SDR 3.6 billion ( about US $ 5 billion , or 179 % of quota ) .
Ukraine received the first disbursement worth US $ 2.1 billion on June 12 .
The rest of the money is set to be received within 18 months in four installments .
It was reported that the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the COVID-19 fallout by maintaining balance of payments and budget support , while maintaining achievements and promoting a narrow set of key structural reforms to ensure that Ukraine is ready to return to growth once the crisis is over .

Ukraine needs second IMF tranche – NBU Governor
15:40, 17.08.20 2034
The central banks and the government are focusing on the implementation of the memo signed with the key donor.
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unian--2020-08-17--Deposits in Ukraine's banks in July up 2.4% in hryvnia, 5.8% in U.S. dollars

The balance of hryvnia loans in July alone increased by 0.7 % .
Bank deposits in the national currency in Ukraine in July 2020 grew by 2.4 % from June 2020 , to UAH 713.8 billion , or US $ 26.1 billion , while deposits in foreign currency rose by 5.8 % , to US $ 17.7 billion , in the U.S. dollar equivalent .
Since year-start , bank deposits in hryvnias have increased by 11.4 % , while those in foreign currency have also grown by 19.3 % , according to the National Bank of Ukraine .
The balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.7 % , whereas it shrank by 0.4 % in the seven months of 2020 , to UAH 610.9 billion ( US $ 22.3 billion ) , the regulator said .
Read alsoCentral bank in Ukraine buys US $ 223 mln on Aug 10-14The balance of foreign currency loans was 4.3 % up in July , and it grew by 14.5 % from January 1 , 2020 , to US $ 14.5 billion in the equivalent .
• Deposits in the national currency for 2019 grew by 18.5 % , to UAH 639.7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Foreign currency deposits in 2019 expanded by 28.5 % , to US $ 17.2 billion , in the U.S. dollar equivalent .

Deposits in Ukraine's banks in July up 2.4% in hryvnia, 5.8% in U.S. dollars
15:15, 17.08.20 820
The balance of hryvnia loans in July alone increased by 0.7%.
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unian--2020-08-17--Lukashenko says ready to share powers, but "not under pressure"

This should be done through a constitutional process , not via street protests , he stressed .
President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus says work is underway to draft amendments to the country 's constitution , which would deal with power redistribution .
The statement came as Lukashenko was addressing a rally at the MZKT plant on Monday , August 17 , BelTA reports .
Alexander Lukashenko assured he was up for sharing presidential powers .
`` Not under pressure and not via street [ protests ] , '' Lukashenko stressed , `` but through the constitutional process . ''
Also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on options for amending the Constitution , which would provide for redistribution of powers .
Read alsoKremlin deploying Russian Guard troops to Belarus border – media ( Photo , video ) '' We ca n't give this Constitution to whomever .
Because this would be a mess , '' Lukashenko said .
On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
The Central Election Commission said Lukashenko had sealed a sweeping win with 80.1 % of the vote , while his main opponent Svetlana Tikhonovskaya gained 10.1 % .
Thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what many believe was a rigged vote count .
In a heavy crackdown on protesters , riot police fired rubber bullets , applied tear gas , and detained thousands , of whom many were beaten up and injured while in custody .
A large number of detainees have since been released .
In their comments to media and on social networks , they recall torture they had been subjected to by law enforcement .
Belarus ' largest-to-date March of Freedom was held in Minsk August 16 , seeing hundreds of thousands rallying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on strike .
Svetlana Tikhonovskaya via a video address from Lithuania where she had fled shortly after the election said she was ready to take up the role of `` national leader '' to calm down the unrest and bring the country back to norm .
There will be no additional election in Belarus `` unless you kill me '' , Lukashenko said Monday , August 17 , addressing a crowd of protesters at the MZKT plant .

This should be done through a constitutional process, not via street protests, he stressed.
President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus says work is underway to draft amendments to the country's constitution, which would deal with power redistribution.
The statement came as Lukashenko was addressing a rally at the MZKT plant on Monday, August 17, BelTA reports.
Alexander Lukashenko assured he was up for sharing presidential powers.
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We can't give this Constitution to whomever. Because this would be a mess.
"Not under pressure and not via street [protests]," Lukashenko stressed, "but through the constitutional process."
Also, Lukashenko claimed work was already underway on options for amending the Constitution, which would provide for redistribution of powers.
Read alsoKremlin deploying Russian Guard troops to Belarus border – media (Photo, video)"We can't give this Constitution to whomever. Because this would be a mess," Lukashenko said.
Belarus protests: developments
On August 9, presidential elections were held in Belarus. The Central Election Commission said Lukashenko had sealed a sweeping win with 80.1% of the vote, while his main opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaya gained 10.1%.
Thousands of Belarusians took to the streets to protest what many believe was a rigged vote count.
In a heavy crackdown on protesters, riot police fired rubber bullets, applied tear gas, and detained thousands, of whom many were beaten up and injured while in custody.
A large number of detainees have since been released. In their comments to media and on social networks, they recall torture they had been subjected to by law enforcement.
Belarus' largest-to-date March of Freedom was held in Minsk August 16, seeing hundreds of thousands rallying.
On August 17, enterprises throughout Belarus went on strike.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya via a video address from Lithuania where she had fled shortly after the election said she was ready to take up the role of "national leader" to calm down the unrest and bring the country back to normal.
There will be no additional election in Belarus "unless you kill me", Lukashenko said Monday, August 17, addressing a crowd of protesters at the MZKT plant.


unian--2020-08-17--Deficit of Ukraine's foreign trade in goods 66.7% down in H1

China became Ukraine 's major trading partner for the six months .
The deficit of Ukraine 's foreign trade in goods in January-June 2020 ( H1 ) was estimated at US $ 1.277 billion , which was 66.7 % down year-over-year ( y-o-y ) .
Exports of goods from Ukraine over the period under review shrank by 6.4 % , to US $ 22.913 billion , while imports of goods to Ukraine declined by 14.3 % , to US $ 24.189 billion , according to the State Statistics Service 's website .
Read alsoUkraine exports 3.2 mln tonnes of grain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imports by exports was 0.95 in the six months of 2020 .
Over the period under review , Ukraine traded with partners from 220 countries .
China became Ukraine 's major trading partner in January-June .
The exports to China almost doubled to US $ 3.005 billion , while the imports from China fell by 7.2 % to US $ 3.647 billion .
Then comes Poland with exports of goods from Ukraine estimated at US $ 1.455 billion ( 13.9 % down ) and imports from Poland at US $ 1.725 billion ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , shipments of Ukrainian goods to the European Union countries decreased by 17.1 % to US $ 8.526 billion , while the import from the EU shrank by 12.5 % to US $ 10.339 billion .
The deficit of Ukraine 's foreign trade in goods and services in 2019 totaled US $ 3.633 billion , which was 41.2 % down from the deficit reported in 2018 , according to the State Statistics Service .
In 2019 , the deficit in foreign trade in goods alone increased by 8.8 % , to US $ @ @ @

Deficit of Ukraine's foreign trade in goods 66.7% down in H1
14:25, 17.08.20 1002
China became Ukraine's major trading partner for the six months.
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unian--2020-08-17--Central bank in Ukraine buys US$223 mln on Aug 10-14

The regulator did not sell foreign currency over the week .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) bought @ @ @ @ @ the interbank foreign exchange market on August 10-14 .
The central bank sold no foreign @ @ @ @ @ , the NBU said on its website .
Read alsoFinance minister sees no prerequisites for @ @ @ @ @ 30 per dollarSince year-start , the regulator 's purchases on the interbank forex market have @ @ @ @ @ 1,511.7 million .
The National Bank set the official forex rate for August 17 at @ @ @ @ @ dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by six kopiykas .

Central bank in Ukraine buys US$223 mln on Aug 10-14
14:00, 17.08.20 463
The regulator did not sell foreign currency over the week.
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unian--2020-08-17--President's Office condemns arson attack on investigative journalists' car

`` Ukraine must do everything to defend freedom of speech , which is the base of a democratic state , '' the comment says .
Presidential press secretary Yulia Mendel has issued a comment after a car used by RFE/RL 's Skhemy [ Schemes ] investigative project was set ablaze in Kyiv overnight Monday , August 17 .
Via Facebook , Mendel noted that such an attack is `` completely unacceptable '' , and that Ukraine must do everything to protect freedom of speech .
Read alsoZelensky `` concerned and upset '' over torching of anti-graft activist 's home ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a dangerous job .
But the situation with the Schemes is completely unacceptable .
Obviously , over the years of work , the program had earned enemies , who were targets of investigations .
Into the fact of arson , criminal proceedings have been launched and investigative actions are underway .
I 'm glad that no one was hurt – this is the main thing .
The legislation provides for the protection of participants in criminal proceedings , including victims .
Ukraine must do everything to defend freedom of speech , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Mendel wrote .
• RFE/RL 's Skhemy [ Schemes ] investigative project chief Mykhailo Tkach on August 17 said the car journalists had been using to film their reports was burned down in Kyiv overnight Monday .
• Earlier this month , Mykhailo Tkach had discovered a hole drilled through his apartment 's ceiling , presumably for a wiretapping device , according to RFE/RL .
• Last year , ex-deputy head of the disgraced ex-president Viktor Yanukovych 's Administration , Andriy Portnov , made public personal data of all Skhemy drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and addresses , as well as threatened the team .
Last Friday , Portnov posted on a social network : `` Marginal Radio Liberty , I continue the package of educational measures . ''

"Ukraine must do everything to defend freedom of speech, which is the base of a democratic state," the comment says.
Presidential press secretary Yulia Mendel has issued a comment after a car used by RFE/RL's Skhemy [Schemes] investigative project was set ablaze in Kyiv overnight Monday, August 17.
Via Facebook, Mendel noted that such an attack is "completely unacceptable", and that Ukraine must do everything to protect freedom of speech.
Read alsoZelensky "concerned and upset" over torching of anti-graft activist's home (Photo)"Investigative journalism has always been a dangerous job. But the situation with the Schemes is completely unacceptable. Obviously, over the years of work, the program had earned enemies, who were targets of investigations. Into the fact of arson, criminal proceedings have been launched and investigative actions are underway. I'm glad that no one was hurt – this is the main thing. The legislation provides for the protection of participants in criminal proceedings, including victims. Ukraine must do everything to defend freedom of speech, which is the base of a democratic state," Mendel wrote.
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Latest incidents targeting the Skhemy project


unian--2020-08-17--Ukraine Air Force mulls Brazilian replacement for L-39 training aircraft

At the same time , Super Tucanos will not be considered as a sub for Su-27 , Su-25M , Su-25 , and Su-24MR warplanes , which the Command are also planning to shift from toward a foreign-made 4++ generation fighter jet .
Ukraine 's Air Force Command is considering modernizing its fleet of combat training aircraft , to replace the currently-used but ageing L-39 Albatros .
That 's according to the Ukrainian Military Portal citing the Air Force Command 's Facebook post .
`` The Super Tucano aircraft was considered during a visit of the delegation of the Ukrainian Air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a combat training aircraft , which , according to its characteristics , can replace the so-called 'school desk ' for military pilots , the combat training aircraft L-39 , '' the press service reported .
Read alsoUkraine 's MFA : Iran will have to pay compensation for downed passenger jetThe Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer developed in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s , the first trainer to be equipped with a turbo propeller .
The type was a successful export product worldwide .
The Air Force has added that Super Tucanos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Su-27 , Su-25M , Su-25 , and Su-24MR warplanes , which the Command are also planning to shift from toward a foreign-made 4++ generation fighter jet .
The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano , also named ALX or A-29B , is a Brazilian turboprop light attack aircraft designed and built by Embraer as a development of the Embraer EMB 312 Tucano , Wikipedia reports .
The A-29 Super Tucano carries a wide variety of weapons , including precision-guided munitions , and was designed to be a low-cost system operated in low-threat environments

At the same time, Super Tucanos will not be considered as a sub for Su-27, Su-25M, Su-25, and Su-24MR warplanes, which the Command are also planning to shift from toward a foreign-made 4++ generation fighter jet.
Ukraine's Air Force Command is considering modernizing its fleet of combat training aircraft, to replace the currently-used but ageing L-39 Albatros.
That's according to the Ukrainian Military Portal citing the Air Force Command's Facebook post.
The replacement is Brazil's EMB314 Super Tucano turboprop trainer aircraft, Defence Blog reports.
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"The Super Tucano aircraft was considered during a visit of the delegation of the Ukrainian Air Force to Brazil in 2019, as a combat training aircraft, which, according to its characteristics, can replace the so-called 'school desk' for military pilots, the combat training aircraft L-39," the press service reported.
Read alsoUkraine's MFA: Iran will have to pay compensation for downed passenger jetThe Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer developed in Czechoslovakia in the 1960s, the first trainer to be equipped with a turbo propeller. The type was a successful export product worldwide.
The Air Force has added that Super Tucanos will not be considered as a replacement for Su-27, Su-25M, Su-25, and Su-24MR warplanes, which the Command are also planning to shift from toward a foreign-made 4++ generation fighter jet.
Super Tucano
The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29B, is a Brazilian turboprop light attack aircraft designed and built by Embraer as a development of the Embraer EMB 312 Tucano, Wikipedia reports.
The A-29 Super Tucano carries a wide variety of weapons, including precision-guided munitions, and was designed to be a low-cost system operated in low-threat environments


unian--2020-08-17--Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens to UAH 27.35 to U.S. dollar on Aug 17

The official forex rate against the euro for Monday has been fixed at UAH 32.31 .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) on August 14 set the official forex rate for August 17 at UAH 27.35 to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by six kopiykas .
The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 32.31 per euro – the hryvnia gained 11 kopiykas in value since Friday , the NBU wrote on its website .
The central bank has fixed the following official forex rates of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August 17 : US $ 100 will be quoted at UAH 2,734.74 ( UAH 2,740.83 as of August 14 ) ; EUR 100 will be quoted at UAH 3,230.82 ( UAH 3,241.85 as of August 14 ) .
Finance minister sees no prerequisites for hryvnia rate rise to UAH 30 per dollar Interbank rate By 16:00 Kyiv time on August 14 , hryvnia quotations against the dollar on the interbank forex market settled at UAH 27.33/27.35 to the dollar , while those against the euro were at UAH 32.27/32.29 .
The U.S. dollar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the hryvnia , as the forex rate changed by five kopiykas to UAH 27.50 on the morning of Monday , August 17 , from UAH 27.45 on August 14 .
The euro has not changed in value against the hryvnia , as the rate remained the same , at UAH 32.50 per euro , according to an UNIAN correspondent .
Meanwhile , the U.S. dollar was sold for UAH 27.25 on average , while the euro for UAH 31.90 on August 17 .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the NBU set the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UAH 27.41 to the U.S. dollar , which let the country 's national currency strengthen by 12 kopiykas .

Ukraine's hryvnia strengthens to UAH 27.35 to U.S. dollar on Aug 17
12:45, 17.08.20 8361
The official forex rate against the euro for Monday has been fixed at UAH 32.31.
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unian--2020-08-17--Lukashenko to protesters: "No new vote unless you kill me"

The statement came as Lukashenko addressed the crowd of MKZT workers .
Alexander Lukashenko , the long-time Belarusian leader , whose recent reelection has been widely contested across the country , on Monday spoke at the MKZT plant in front of the workers .
Having eventually come out to confront the rally after the crowd at the site complained that Lukashenko had been addressing a narrow circle of staffers in one of the workshops , Lukashenko has defied the idea of holding another election , TUT.by reports .
Read alsoKremlin deploying Russian Guard troops to Belarus border – media ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talking about unfair elections , seeking to hold fair ones ? ''
he asked the crowd before hearing a resolute `` Yes ! ''
from protesting workers .
`` I am answering this question .
We have already held elections .
Unless you kill me , there will be no other elections , '' Lukashenko stressed .
• On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
The Central Election Commission said Lukashenko had sealed a sweeping win with 80.1 % of the vote , while his main opponent Svetlana Tikhonovskaya @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belarusians took to the streets to protest what many believe was a rigged vote count .
• In a heavy crackdown on protesters , riot police fired rubber bullets , applied tear gas , and detained thousands , of whom many were beaten up and injured while in custody .
• A large number of detainees have since been released .
In their comments to media and on social networks , they recall torture they had been subjected to by law enforcement .
• Belarus ' largest-to-date March of Freedom was held in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands rallying .
• On August 17 , enterprises throughout Belarus went on strike .
• Svetlana Tikhonovskaya via a video address from Lithuania where she had fled shortly after the election said she was ready to take up the role of `` national leader '' to calm down the unrest and bring the country back to norm .

The statement came as Lukashenko addressed the crowd of MKZT workers.
Alexander Lukashenko, the long-time Belarusian leader, whose recent reelection has been widely contested across the country, on Monday spoke at the MKZT plant in front of the workers.
Having eventually come out to confront the rally after the crowd at the site complained that Lukashenko had been addressing a narrow circle of staffers in one of the workshops, Lukashenko has defied the idea of holding another election, TUT.by reports.
Read alsoKremlin deploying Russian Guard troops to Belarus border – media (Photo, video)"Are you talking about unfair elections, seeking to hold fair ones?" he asked the crowd before hearing a resolute "Yes!" from protesting workers.
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"I am answering this question. We have already held elections. Unless you kill me, there will be no other elections," Lukashenko stressed.
Unless you kill me, there will be no other elections
Belarus protests: developments


unian--2020-08-17--Belarus government resigns in line with Constitution following presidential election

The new Council of Ministers will be appointed soon , the national media agency says .
The Belarusian Government has submitted a resignation letter to the president-elect , the national information agency reported on Monday , August 17 .
That 's according to Resolution No 480 of August 15 , 2020 , published today on the National portal of legal information , BelTA reports .
The portal of legal information also says the Decree on the government 's scope of authority has already been signed .
Prime minister , his deputies , and state committees ' chairs have been tasked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms the new government .
Read alsoKremlin deploying Russian Guard troops to Belarus border – media ( Photo , video ) As reported earlier , Alexander Lukashenko instructed that the documents on the government 's further work be drafted as soon as possible , adding that the new government has generally been formed , while `` certain nuances '' were possible .
Belarus elections and protests that followed On August 9 , after presidential elections were held in Belarus , official exit polls claimed incumbent Alexander Lukashenko sealed a staggering 80.23 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Svetlana Tikhanovskaya gained just 9.9 % .
On the same night , thousands of Belarusians took to the streets to contest what many believe is a rigged vote count .
In a crackdown on protests , riot police fired rubber bullets , used tear gas , and detained thousands , of whom many were badly beaten and injured while in custody .
Presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , the runner-up in the presidential elections in Belarus , fled the country to Lithuania .
Read alsoUkraine initiates Belarusian Declaration at PACEThe European Union has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and foreign governments have condemned violence applied against peaceful protesters .
Ukraine said it `` generally shares '' the position voiced by the EU , stopping short of direct non-recognition or recognition of election results .
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on Monday , August 17 , announced readiness to become a `` national leader '' so that the country `` calms down and gets back to a normal rhythm . ''
The statement is in stark contrast to her earlier public address released on August 11 where she admitted still being a `` weak woman @ @ @ @ @

The new Council of Ministers will be appointed soon, the national media agency says.
The Belarusian Government has submitted a resignation letter to the president-elect, the national information agency reported on Monday, August 17.
That's according to Resolution No 480 of August 15, 2020, published today on the National portal of legal information, BelTA reports.
The portal of legal information also says the Decree on the government's scope of authority has already been signed. Prime minister, his deputies, and state committees' chairs have been tasked with performing their functions until the president forms the new government.
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Read alsoKremlin deploying Russian Guard troops to Belarus border – media (Photo, video)As reported earlier, Alexander Lukashenko instructed that the documents on the government's further work be drafted as soon as possible, adding that the new government has generally been formed, while "certain nuances" were possible.
Belarus elections and protests that followed
On August 9, after presidential elections were held in Belarus, official exit polls claimed incumbent Alexander Lukashenko sealed a staggering 80.23% of the vote, while his closest rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya gained just 9.9%.
On the same night, thousands of Belarusians took to the streets to contest what many believe is a rigged vote count. In a crackdown on protests, riot police fired rubber bullets, used tear gas, and detained thousands, of whom many were badly beaten and injured while in custody.
Presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the runner-up in the presidential elections in Belarus, fled the country to Lithuania.
Read alsoUkraine initiates Belarusian Declaration at PACEThe European Union has not recognized election results, while international organizations and foreign governments have condemned violence applied against peaceful protesters. Ukraine said it "generally shares" the position voiced by the EU, stopping short of direct non-recognition or recognition of election results.
Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on Monday, August 17, announced readiness to become a "national leader" so that the country "calms down and gets back to a normal rhythm." The statement is in stark contrast to her earlier public address released on August 11 where she admitted still being a "weak woman I was initially".


unian--2020-08-17--Gas reserves update 10-year record in Ukraine

Some 23.9 billion cubic meters of gas has been pumped into underground storage facilities .
Ukraine 's natural gas reserves were up 3.2 % against last week , the Gas Transmission System Operator reports .
in Ukrainian underground storage facilities ( UGS ) increased from August 8 to August 15 to 23.85 billion cubic meters ( bcm ) , TSO of Ukraine said in an update .
As of August 15 , gas reserves in underground storage facilities were 39 % lareger year-on-year ( 17.2 bcm ) .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine on March 11 started pumping gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
Read alsoPrice of imported natural gas in Ukraine 60 % up – economy ministryAs of March 11 , gas reserves stood at 15.808 bcm .
By the start of the 2019-2020 heating season , Ukraine had accumulated 21.76 bcm of gas , a record high over the past ten years .
In January-July 2020 , Ukraine increased gas imports by 21 % y-o-y , up to 9.2 bcm .
During the reporting period , gas was imported exclusively from Europe , Gas TSO of Ukraine wrote , adding that Ukraine has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federation since November 2015 .
In first seven months of 2020 , imports from Slovakia stood at 5.4 billion cubic meters ( BCM ) , which is +16 % on year , Hungary – at 2.7 bcm ( + 26 % ) , and Poland – at 1.1 bcm ( + 33 % ) .

Gas reserves update 10-year record in Ukraine
11:30, 17.08.20 1388
Some 23.9 billion cubic meters of gas has been pumped into underground storage facilities.
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unian--2020-08-17--COVID-19 in Ukraine: authorities report 1,464 cases in past day

Twenty-one fatalities and 342 recoveries have been recorded .
Ukraine reports 1,464 new active COVID-19 cases over the past 24 @ @ @ @ @ 17 .
That 's according to the Health Ministry 's Telegram channel .
This brings @ @ @ @ @ to 92820 since the pandemic outbreak .
Read alsoKyiv tightening quarantine : new `` yellow @ @ @ @ @ toll in Ukraine has reached 2,089 ( +21 deaths in the past 24 hours ) @ @ @ @ @ 48,164 ( including 342 in the past day ) , the National Security and Defense @ @ @ @ @ The health ministry says 1,300,289 PCR tests have been run .
Ukraine saw a new @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases as of August 15 .
The country 's Health Ministry reported about a @ @ @ @ @ of patients with a severe course of the coronavirus disease .
In addition , the @ @ @ @ @ to get ready for the second wave of COVID-19 in Ukraine .

Twenty-one fatalities and 342 recoveries have been recorded.
Ukraine reports 1,464 new active COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours as of 9:00 August 17.
That's according to the Health Ministry's Telegram channel.
This brings a total of recorded cases to 92820 since the pandemic outbreak.
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Read alsoKyiv tightening quarantine: new "yellow zone" bansThe overall death toll in Ukraine has reached 2,089 (+21 deaths in the past 24 hours), while recoveries have hit 48,164 (including 342 in the past day), the National Security and Defense Council's map shows.
The health ministry says 1,300,289 PCR tests have been run.
Coronavirus epidemic in Ukraine
Ukraine saw a new record daily high of 1,847 coronavirus cases as of August 15.
The country's Health Ministry reported about a sharp increase in the number of patients with a severe course of the coronavirus disease.
In addition, the ministry called on the regions to get ready for the second wave of COVID-19 in Ukraine.


unian--2020-08-17--Donbas truce: Russian-led forces arranging positions near Mariupol

No Ukrainian army casualties were reported in the past day .
No ceasefire violations were reported in the Joint Forces Operation zone in eastern Ukraine 's Donbas on Sunday , August 16 .
Russia 's hybrid military forces were fortifying their positions near the village of Uzhivka , in the vicinity of Mariupol , Donetsk region .
`` At the same time , in the past 24 hours , Ukrainian troops have documented one violation by the Russian Federation 's armed formations of the agreements reached by the Trilateral Contact Group [ on Donbas settlement in Minsk ] on July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was deploying engineering equipment on its positions near the temporarily occupied village of Uzhivka not far from our positions near the village Vodiane , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) Command said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on August 17 , 2020 .
Ukraine 's Joint Forces adhered to ceasefire and `` were ready to provide a decent rebuff to possible threatening action by the adversary , '' the JFO HQ added .
No casualties have been reported in the past day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ceasefire violations recorded in past 24 hoursSilence has been observed in full since Monday midnight .
No armed provocation or shelling has been recorded in the areas of JF brigades ' responsibility , the report said .
• Since midnight on July 27 , a full and comprehensive ceasefire has been in force along the contact line in the zone of the Joint Forces Operation in Donbas .
• Since the start of the latest truce , there have been no combat losses or injuries among the Ukrainian military , according to official @ @

No Ukrainian army casualties were reported in the past day.
No ceasefire violations were reported in the Joint Forces Operation zone in eastern Ukraine's Donbas on Sunday, August 16. Russia's hybrid military forces were fortifying their positions near the village of Uzhivka, in the vicinity of Mariupol, Donetsk region.
"At the same time, in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian troops have documented one violation by the Russian Federation's armed formations of the agreements reached by the Trilateral Contact Group [on Donbas settlement in Minsk] on July 22. In particular, the enemy was deploying engineering equipment on its positions near the temporarily occupied village of Uzhivka not far from our positions near the village Vodiane," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation (JFO) Command said in a Facebook update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on August 17, 2020.
Ukraine's Joint Forces adhered to ceasefire and "were ready to provide a decent rebuff to possible threatening action by the adversary," the JFO HQ added.
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No casualties have been reported in the past day.
Read alsoDonbas warzone update: No ceasefire violations recorded in past 24 hoursSilence has been observed in full since Monday midnight. No armed provocation or shelling has been recorded in the areas of JF brigades' responsibility, the report said.
Latest Donbas ceasefire deal


unian--2020-08-17--Tikhanovskaya says ready to become "national leader" in Belarus

The statement is in stark contrast to her earlier public address released after she fled the country to Lithuania and suggested she is still a `` weak woman I was initially '' .
Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , the rival of the long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko , has announced readiness to become a national leader so that the country `` calms down and gets back to a normal rhythm . ''
That 's according to a new video address released Monday on the Strana dlya Zhizni [ `` Country for Life '' ] YouTube channel .
`` I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political career .
I did n't want to become a politician .
But fate has brought me to the very front line of confrontation with arbitrary injustice , '' Tikhanovskaya said .
She added she was `` ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader so that the country calms down and gets back to a normal rhythm '' .
Read alsoKremlin deploying Russian Guard troops to Belarus border – media ( Photo , video ) The statement is in stark contrast to her earlier public address released on August 11 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and suggested she is still a `` weak woman I was initially '' .
Looking visibly distressed , Tikhanovskaya said she made `` a very difficult decision '' and that she did it `` all by herself '' .
`` Children is what 's most important in life , '' she concluded .
After her husband 's arrest , Tikhanovskaya had her children taken out of the country to Lithuania .
On August 9 , after presidential elections were held in Belarus , official exit polls claimed incumbent Alexander Lukashenko sealed a staggering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his closest rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya gained just 9.9 % .
On the same night , thousands of Belarusians took to the streets to contest what many believe is a rigged vote count .
In a crackdown on protests , riot police fired rubber bullets , used tear gas , and detained thousands , of whom many were badly beaten and injured while in custody .
Tikhanovskaya refused to take lead of the protests .
According to her press secretary , the politician would not want to end up behind bars like her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tikhanovskaya said she considered herself winner of the presidential election , and called on her rival Lukashenko to negotiate .
Shortly after the elections , Tikhanovskaya fled from Belarus to Lithuania .
The European Union has not recognized election results , while international organizations and foreign governments have condemned violence applied against peaceful protesters .
Ukraine said it `` generally shares '' the position voiced by the EU , stopping short of direct non-recognition or recognition of election results .

The statement is in stark contrast to her earlier public address released after she fled the country to Lithuania and suggested she is still a "weak woman I was initially."
Belarusian presidential candidate Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, the rival of the long-time leader Alexander Lukashenko, has announced readiness to become a national leader so that the country "calms down and gets back to a normal rhythm."
That's according to a new video address released Monday on the Strana dlya Zhizni ["Country for Life"] YouTube channel.
"I have and have had no illusions about my political career. I didn't want to become a politician. But fate has brought me to the very front line of confrontation with arbitrary injustice," Tikhanovskaya said.
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She added she was "ready to take responsibility and act as a national leader so that the country calms down and gets back to a normal rhythm."
I have and have had no illusions about my political career. I didn't want to become a politician. But fate has brought me to the very front line of confrontation with arbitrary injustice.
Read alsoKremlin deploying Russian Guard troops to Belarus border – media (Photo, video)The statement is in stark contrast to her earlier public address released on August 11 after she fled the country to Lithuania and suggested she is still a "weak woman I was initially."
Looking visibly distressed, Tikhanovskaya said she made "a very difficult decision" and that she did it "all by herself".
"Children is what's most important in life," she concluded.
After her husband's arrest, Tikhanovskaya had her children taken out of the country to Lithuania.
Protests in Belarus and Tikhanovskaya's departure
On August 9, after presidential elections were held in Belarus, official exit polls claimed incumbent Alexander Lukashenko sealed a staggering 80.23% of the vote, while his closest rival Svetlana Tikhanovskaya gained just 9.9%.
On the same night, thousands of Belarusians took to the streets to contest what many believe is a rigged vote count.
In a crackdown on protests, riot police fired rubber bullets, used tear gas, and detained thousands, of whom many were badly beaten and injured while in custody.
Tikhanovskaya refused to take lead of the protests. According to her press secretary, the politician would not want to end up behind bars like her husband Sergei Tikhanovsky.
At the same time, Tikhanovskaya said she considered herself winner of the presidential election, and called on her rival Lukashenko to negotiate.
Shortly after the elections, Tikhanovskaya fled Belarus to Lithuania.
The European Union has not recognized election results, while international organizations and foreign governments have condemned violence applied against peaceful protesters. Ukraine said it "generally shares" the position voiced by the EU, stopping short of direct non-recognition or recognition of election results.


unian--2020-08-17--Kyiv tightening quarantine: new "yellow zone" bans

The restrictions shall be enforced starting today , August 17 .
Kyiv is tightening quarantine in line with the government 's requirements assigned for the `` yellow zone '' of the epidemic threat .
The new rules are effective starting August 17 .
Health and emergency officials have made the relevant decision to put Ukraine 's capital on the yellow-zone list due to the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases reported .
Kyiv has reimposed a number of quarantine restrictions since COVID-19-related hospital load has exceeded 50 % .
Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko says municipal authorities are deploying second-wave medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Quarantine in Kyiv : main changes from August 17 Face masks are mandated in indoor public spaces and on public transport ; Everyone must carry IDs at all times ; Open-air mass events ( including in the fields of sports , arts , entertainment , and religion ) are allowed with the cap of 1 person per 5 square meters ; Movie theaters are allowed to sell no more than 50 % seats ; and The revised zoning has been introduced across Ukraine from August 17 .
Here is the list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and yellow zones .

The restrictions shall be enforced starting today, August 17.
Kyiv is tightening quarantine in line with the government's requirements assigned for the "yellow zone" of the epidemic threat. The new rules are effective starting August 17.
Health and emergency officials have made the relevant decision to put Ukraine's capital on the yellow-zone list due to the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases reported.
Read also Ukraine's Health Ministry: Hospitals ready to treat about 34,000 COVID-19 patients New quarantine zoning rules and Kyiv
Kyiv has reimposed a number of quarantine restrictions since COVID-19-related hospital load has exceeded 50%.
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Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko says municipal authorities are deploying second-wave medical facilities to receive and treat COVID-19 patients.
Quarantine in Kyiv: main changes from August 17
Face masks are mandated in indoor public spaces and on public transport;
Everyone must carry IDs at all times;
Open-air mass events (including in the fields of sports, arts, entertainment, and religion) are allowed with the cap of 1 person per 5 square meters;
Movie theaters are allowed to sell no more than 50% seats; and
Public transportation is allowed in seating capacity.
The revised zoning has been introduced across Ukraine from August 17.
Here is the list of settlements assigned to red, orange, and yellow zones.


unian--2020-08-17--Investigative project's car set ablaze in Kyiv

The project leader earlier this month reported suspected wiretapping after a tip from a source and three holes he discovered , drilled into his apartment 's ceiling .
RFE/RL 's Skhemy [ Schemes ] investigative project chief Mykhailo Tkach says the car journalists have been using to film reports was burned down in Kyiv overnight Monday .
`` More bad news .
The car which we had been driving to shoot our reports you have all seen has been burned down .
The latest piece we worked on with an important member of our crew , driver Borys Mazur on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Roads : '' .
It has already gathered almost 700,000 views on YouTube .
During the filming and in the report itself , I repeatedly emphasized the fact that our car and we were monitored by the President 's security UDO .
The car had been parked overnight by the driver 's house , '' Tkach wrote on Facebook .
Another journalist with the project , Natalia Sedletska , recalled that about a year ago , ex-deputy head of the disgraced ex-president Viktor Yanukovych 's Administration , Andriy Portnov , made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- their passports , car plates , and addresses , as well as threatened the team .
`` The National Police even have a criminal case into this matter , which , however , never developed anywhere .
And last Friday , Portnov once again posted this : 'Marginal Radio Liberty , I continue the package of educational measures . '
But we should n't limit ourselves to this version only .
This car is very well known among a wide circle of persons targeted in our reports .
This car was essentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to film a large number of journalistic investigations .
Therefore , one thing is clear to me : the arson is precisely due to our professional journalistic activity , which some do n't like a lot , '' the journalist noted .
Earlier this month , Mykhailo Tkach had been tipped by a source about law enforcers ' plans to wiretap the journalist 's home in Kyiv that he shares with a colleague from another media outlet .
On August 7 , Tkach discovered a tiny hole drilled through his apartment ceiling and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found a total of three openings freshly drilled from the attic above the apartment .
No surveillance equipment has been found .
Read alsoZelensky `` concerned and upset '' over torching of anti-graft activist 's home ( Photo ) Skhemy investigations In their recent report , journalists showed how President Volodymyr Zelensky 's motorcade violated traffic rules .
Besides speeding , the vehicles crossed double solid lines and made prohibited turns , endangering other motorists .
Reporters claimed violations had been recorded as the president was being driven in private matters or heading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commented on the report : `` Undoubtedly , there are no systematic violations of traffic rules .
This is an exclusively speculative interpretation of events . ''

The project leader earlier this month reported suspected wiretapping after a tip from a source and three holes he discovered, drilled into his apartment's ceiling.
RFE/RL's Skhemy [Schemes] investigative project chief Mykhailo Tkach says the car journalists have been using to film reports was burned down in Kyiv overnight Monday.
"More bad news. The car which we had been driving to shoot our reports you have all seen has been burned down. The latest piece we worked on with an important member of our crew, driver Borys Mazur on a Kia Cerato, was "Kings of the Roads:". It has already gathered almost 700,000 views on YouTube. During the filming and in the report itself, I repeatedly emphasized the fact that our car and we were monitored by the President's security UDO. The car had been parked overnight by the driver's house," Tkach wrote on Facebook.
Another journalist with the project, Natalia Sedletska, recalled that about a year ago, ex-deputy head of the disgraced ex-president Viktor Yanukovych's Administration, Andriy Portnov, made public personal data of all Skhemy drivers -- their passports, car plates, and addresses, as well as threatened the team.
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"The National Police even have a criminal case into this matter, which, however, never developed anywhere. And last Friday, Portnov once again posted this: 'Marginal Radio Liberty, I continue the package of educational measures.' But we shouldn't limit ourselves to this version only. This car is very well known among a wide circle of persons targeted in our reports. This car was essentially our working tool. We used it to film a large number of journalistic investigations. Therefore, one thing is clear to me: the arson is precisely due to our professional journalistic activity, which some don't like a lot," the journalist noted.
"Wiretapping, car arson, what's next?" Mykhailo Tkach wrote on Facebook.
Earlier this month, Mykhailo Tkach had been tipped by a source about law enforcers' plans to wiretap the journalist's home in Kyiv that he shares with a colleague from another media outlet.
On August 7, Tkach discovered a tiny hole drilled through his apartment ceiling and called the police. The CIS team found a total of three openings freshly drilled from the attic above the apartment.
No surveillance equipment has been found.
Read alsoZelensky "concerned and upset" over torching of anti-graft activist's home (Photo)Skhemy investigations
In their recent report, journalists showed how President Volodymyr Zelensky's motorcade violated traffic rules. Besides speeding, the vehicles crossed double solid lines and made prohibited turns, endangering other motorists.
Reporters claimed violations had been recorded as the president was being driven in private matters or heading home.
The President's Office has commented on the report: "Undoubtedly, there are no systematic violations of traffic rules. This is an exclusively speculative interpretation of events."


unian--2020-08-17--Kremlin deploying Russian Guard troops to Belarus border – media

Multiple photos and videos shot by eyewitness show convoys of trucks and paddy wagons without plates .
The Kremlin is deploying its RosGuardia [ Russian Guard ] troops and paddy wagons to the border with Belarus , an OSINT group has reported .
The Conflict Intelligence Team ( CIT ) , a group of independent investigators of armed conflicts , posted the relevant report on its Facebook page , citing multiple photos and videos shot by eyewitnesses and information coming from journalists .
A convoy of heavy vehicles without license plates was spotted by Fontanka newspaper reader on the St. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw a total of about 30 to 40 trucks and several military SUVs .
According to the expert estimates by CIT , such convoy could carry from St. Petersburg at least 600 troops , which is more than a third of the total number of Belarusian riot police ( 1,500 ) .
Another convoy , which was moving towards Belarus from Moscow , was noticed by Meduza readers and a colleague of journalist Vasily Maksimov .
It also contained trucks without markings , identical to the vehicles used by the Russian Guard .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the convoy driving from Moscow carries men sporting black uniforms without insignia .
The video from Maksimov 's tweet contains coordinates pointing to the junction south of Smolensk ( 83 kilometers from the border with Belarus ) .
At the moment no confirmed reports have come as to whether the convoy has crossed into Belarus .
On August 15 , Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
`` When it comes to the military component , we have an agreement with the Russian Federation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the CSTO .
These are the points that fit the deal .
Therefore , today I had a long , detailed conversation with the President of Russia about the situation .
I must say – I was even somewhat surprised – he is absolutely aware of what is happening , '' Lukashnko noted , according to BelTA .
`` And we [ Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin ] agreed : at our very first request , comprehensive assistance will be provided to ensure the security of the Republic of Belarus , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call between the two on Sunday Putin had told Alexander Lukashenko Russia was ready to offer military assistance if necessary , according to Reuters , as demonstrators gathered for the biggest protests against Lukashenko 's re-election .
• Following the presidential election held on August 9 and the release of official exit polls claiming overwhelming win of incumbent President Lukashenko ( with 80 % against opponent Svetlana Tikhanovskaya 's 10 % ) , thousands took to the streets of capital Minsk and other cities contesting what many believe is a rigged vote count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard crackdown on protesters , detaining thousands , of whom many are reported to have been badly beaten and injured while in police custody .
• Workers at major industrial enterprises have joined the call for `` fair election '' and massively went on strike .

Multiple photos and videos shot by eyewitness show convoys of trucks and paddy wagons without plates.
The Kremlin is deploying its RosGuardia [Russian Guard] troops and paddy wagons to the border with Belarus, an OSINT group has reported.
The Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), a group of independent investigators of armed conflicts, posted the relevant report on its Facebook page, citing multiple photos and videos shot by eyewitnesses and information coming from journalists.
A convoy of heavy vehicles without license plates was spotted by Fontanka newspaper reader on the St. Petersburg-Pskov highway.
The source said he saw a total of about 30 to 40 trucks and several military SUVs.
According to the expert estimates by CIT, such convoy could carry from St. Petersburg at least 600 troops, which is more than a third of the total number of Belarusian riot police (1,500).
Another convoy, which was moving towards Belarus from Moscow, was noticed by Meduza readers and a colleague of journalist Vasily Maksimov. It also contained trucks without markings, identical to the vehicles used by the Russian Guard. According to the authors of the video, the convoy driving from Moscow carries men sporting black uniforms without insignia.
The video from Maksimov's tweet contains coordinates pointing to the junction south of Smolensk (83 kilometers from the border with Belarus). At the moment no confirmed reports have come as to whether the convoy has crossed into Belarus.
Сегодня под Питером в сторону Луги (и белорусской границы соответственно) были замечены колонны грузовиков без номеров и обозначений. А это прислал коллега уже из-под Смоленска. Он видел, что внутри люди в черной форме без опознавательных знаков в сторону РБ. pic.twitter.com/ULEtpmdFR9 — vasily_maximov (@maximov_vasily) August 16, 2020
Russian aid to Belarus amid protests
On August 15, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko had a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. "When it comes to the military component, we have an agreement with the Russian Federation within the framework of the Union State and the CSTO. These are the points that fit the deal. Therefore, today I had a long, detailed conversation with the President of Russia about the situation. I must say – I was even somewhat surprised – he is absolutely aware of what is happening," Lukashenko noted, according to BelTA.
"And we [Alexander Lukashenko and Vladimir Putin] agreed: at our very first request, comprehensive assistance will be provided to ensure the security of the Republic of Belarus," said Alexander Lukashenko.
In another phone call between the two on Sunday Putin had told Alexander Lukashenko Russia was ready to offer military assistance if necessary, according to Reuters, as demonstrators gathered for the biggest protests against Lukashenko's re-election.
Belarus protests: developments


unian--2020-08-18--Lukashenko on call with Merkel: 'West or East should not make me toe the line'

The German government , in turn , denied this statement .
Visiting MZKT , a Minsk-based manufacturer of heavy off-road vehicles , Alexander Lukashenko has told MZKT workers that German Chancellor Angela Merkel called him , but the German government has denied this information .
`` Yesterday Merkel called : ' I want to talk . '
[ Lithuanian President Gitanas ] Nauseda and others ... We want to talk ...
The West or the East should not make me toe the line , '' the TUT.by channel quoted Lukashenko as saying .
Speaking in a comment to Reuters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied this statement .
According to the German government , Chancellor Angela Merkel has not spoken by telephone with Alexander Lukashenko since an August 9 presidential election in Belarus , after Lukashenko said Merkel had called on Sunday asking to talk .
`` Such a conversation between Merkel and Lukashenko has not taken place since the elections , '' the spokesman told Reuters .
Recent developments in Belarus in brief • On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
• The country 's Central Election Commission announced the final election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , 10.1 % voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 1.67 % for Anna Kanopatskaya , 1.2 % for Andrey Dmitriev , and 1.14 % for Sergei Cherechnya .
Some 4.59 % voted against all candidates .
• Thousands of residents of Belarus who disagreed with the results of the presidential elections in that country took to the streets to join protest rallies , which was followed by clashes with riot police .
• Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees .
• Lukashenko has repeatedly warned against meddling in Belarus ' domestic affairs .
He had phone calls with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
As a result , the Kremlin assured it was ready to provide `` assistance in solving the problems '' in Belarus .
• On August 14 , the European Union announced it did not recognize the outcome of the presidential elections in Belarus and said work had begun to introduce sanctions over electoral fraud and violence @ @ @

The German government, in turn, denied this statement.
Visiting MZKT, a Minsk-based manufacturer of heavy off-road vehicles, Alexander Lukashenko has told MZKT workers that German Chancellor Angela Merkel called him, but the German government has denied this information.
"Yesterday Merkel called: 'I want to talk.' [Lithuanian President Gitanas] Nauseda and others ... 'We want to talk' ... The West or the East should not make me toe the line," the TUT.by channel quoted Lukashenko as saying.
Read alsoAlmost 80 people missing in Belarus after bloody crackdown on protests
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Speaking in a comment to Reuters, the German government, in turn, denied this statement. According to the German government, Chancellor Angela Merkel has not spoken by telephone with Alexander Lukashenko since an August 9 presidential election in Belarus, after Lukashenko said Merkel had called on Sunday, asking to talk.
"Such a conversation between Merkel and Lukashenko has not taken place since the elections," the spokesman told Reuters.
Recent developments in Belarus in brief


unian--2020-08-17--Over 18,100 members of Ukraine's Armed Forces trained by UK's Operation ORBITAL

All trainings are of a defensive nature .
As of today , more than 18,100 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and nearly 4,000 military instructors have been trained by the UK-established Operation ORBITAL mission since 2015 .
`` To date , more than 18,100 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and nearly 4,000 military instructors have been trained by the our mission , '' the British Embassy in Ukraine said on Facebook on August 17 .
`` Op ORBITAL has deployed over 2,500 British military personnel and 400 courses . ''
The Embassy says the process has been mutually beneficial with the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our Ukrainian counterparts .
All trainings are of a defensive nature and take place away from the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine , it said .
• In 2015 , the UK established a training mission , Operation ORBITAL , in response to a request from the Government of Ukraine .
• In 2018 , the UK expanded the scope of Operation Orbital to deliver training to the Ukrainian Navy and Marines , who face increasing threats in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov .
• In 2019 , the UK extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , until March 2023 .

All trainings are of a defensive nature.
As of today, more than 18,100 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and nearly 4,000 military instructors have been trained by the UK-established Operation ORBITAL mission since 2015.
"To date, more than 18,100 Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel and nearly 4,000 military instructors have been trained by the our mission," the British Embassy in Ukraine said on Facebook on August 17. "Op ORBITAL has deployed over 2,500 British military personnel and 400 courses."
Read alsoDef. Ministry reveals opportunities for Ukraine as NATO's Enhanced Opportunities Partner
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The Embassy says the process has been mutually beneficial with the UK's military learning from the experience of our Ukrainian counterparts.
All trainings are of a defensive nature and take place away from the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, it said.
Operation ORBITAL in brief


unian--2020-08-17--Almost 80 people missing in Belarus after bloody crackdown on protests

The Internal Affairs Ministry says 122 people are now in local police 's temporary detention facilities .
Some 76 people are listed as missing after a bloody crackdown on protests and mass arrests of protesters in Belarus .
This was reported by the TUT.by news portal , which has launched an online service to help find people who have disappeared after participating in rallies across Belarus .
Read alsoPresident of European Council : Leadership of Belarus must reflect Belarusians ' will Information available on certain missing people includes the number of days they were imprisoned for but the place where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unknown , it said .
The situation with some of the missing is worse : neither relatives nor civil volunteers know anything about them .
Their names are not on the lists of convicts or those who are kept in detention centers .
There are also cases of when people went missing on the streets under unusual conditions .
For example , the director of a museum from Grodno region disappeared after work .
Meanwhile , Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 122 people were in local police 's temporary detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Recent developments in Belarus in brief • On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
• The country 's Central Election Commission announced the final election results .
In particular , 80.1 % of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , 10.1 % voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 1.67 % for Anna Kanopatskaya , 1.2 % for Andrey Dmitriev , and 1.14 % for Sergei Cherechnya .
Some 4.59 % voted against all candidates .
• Thousands of residents of Belarus who disagreed with the results of the presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets to join protest rallies , which was followed by clashes with riot police .
• Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9 .
On the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees .
• Lukashenko has repeatedly warned against meddling in Belarus ' domestic affairs .
He had phone calls with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
As a result , the Kremlin assured it was ready to provide `` assistance in solving the problems '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the European Union announced it did not recognize the outcome of the presidential elections in Belarus and said work had begun to introduce sanctions over electoral fraud and violence against protesters .
• Human rights activists reported five deaths during the dispersal of protests by Belarusian riot police .

The Internal Affairs Ministry says 122 people are now in local police's temporary detention facilities.
Some 76 people are listed as missing after a bloody crackdown on protests and mass arrests of protesters in Belarus.
This was reported by the TUT.by news portal, which has launched an online service to help find people who have disappeared after participating in rallies across Belarus.
Read alsoPresident of European Council: Leadership of Belarus must reflect Belarusians' will
Видео дня
Information available on certain missing people includes the number of days they were imprisoned for but the place where they have been serving the sentence remains unknown, it said.
The situation with some of the missing is worse: neither relatives nor civil volunteers know anything about them. Their names are not on the lists of convicts or those who are kept in detention centers.
There are also cases of when people went missing on the streets under unusual conditions. For example, the director of a museum from Grodno region disappeared after work.
Meanwhile, Belarus' Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 122 people were in local police's temporary detention facilities as of Monday, August 17.
Recent developments in Belarus in brief


unian--2020-08-17--President of European Council: Leadership of Belarus must reflect Belarusians' will

The EU has started work on sanctions against the Belarusian authorities .
President of the European Council Charles Michel says the leadership of Belarus must reflect the will of the people .
`` The people of Belarus have the right to determine their own future .
To allow for this , violence has to stop and a peaceful and inclusive dialogue has to be launched .
The leadership of Belarus must reflect the will of the people .
There should be no outside interference , '' he said in a letter inviting leaders of the EU member states to join @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 .
Read alsoLukashenko says ready to share powers , but `` not under pressure '' According to him , during the event they will discuss how best to respond to the evolving situation in Belarus .
He says what one has witnessed in Belarus `` is not acceptable . ''
`` The 9 August elections were neither free nor fair .
The subsequent violence against peaceful protesters was shocking and has to be condemned .
Those responsible must be held to account , '' the letter said .
He also announced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Belarusian authorities .
Recent developments in Belarus in brief • On August 9 , presidential elections were held in Belarus .
• The country 's Central Election Commission announced the final election results .
In particular , 80.1 % of voters supported incumbent President Alexander Lukashenko , 10.1 % voted for Svetlana Tikhanovskaya , 1.67 % for Anna Kanopatskaya , 1.2 % for Andrey Dmitriev , and 1.14 % for Sergei Cherechnya .
Some 4.59 % voted against all candidates .
• Thousands of residents of Belarus who disagreed with the results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took to the streets to join protest rallies , which was followed by clashes with riot police .
• Belarus ' Ministry of Internal Affairs said about 7,000 protesters had been detained in different cities since August 9 .
On the evening of August 13 , the authorities started to release detainees .
• Lukashenko has repeatedly warned against meddling in Belarus ' domestic affairs .
He had phone calls with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin .
As a result , the Kremlin assured it was ready to provide `` assistance in solving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On August 14 , the European Union announced it did not recognize the outcome of the presidential elections in Belarus and said work had begun to introduce sanctions over electoral fraud and violence against protesters .

The EU has started work on sanctions against the Belarusian authorities.
President of the European Council Charles Michel says the leadership of Belarus must reflect the will of the people.
"The people of Belarus have the right to determine their own future. To allow for this, violence has to stop and a peaceful and inclusive dialogue has to be launched. The leadership of Belarus must reflect the will of the people. There should be no outside interference," he said in a letter inviting leaders of the EU member states to join a video conference on Wednesday, August 19.
Read alsoLukashenko says ready to share powers, but "not under pressure"
Видео дня
According to him, during the event they will discuss how best to respond to the evolving situation in Belarus.
He says what one has witnessed in Belarus "is not acceptable."
"The 9 August elections were neither free nor fair. The subsequent violence against peaceful protesters was shocking and has to be condemned. Those responsible must be held to account," the letter said.
He also announced the EU had started work on sanctions against the Belarusian authorities.
Recent developments in Belarus in brief


unian--2020-08-17--Fourteen Ukrainian banks get over US$176 mln in refinancing in total

The regulator has held two refinancing tenders recently .
Fourteen Ukrainian banks have received UAH 4.82 billion , or over US $ 176.2 million , in refinancing from the National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) .
In particular , two refinancing tenders were held by the NBU on August 14 , 2020 , the regulator 's press service reported on the website .
One tender was held for a period of 84 days at the request of three banks in the amount of UAH 90.6 million ( US $ 3.31 million ) at an interest rate of 6 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a period of 1,820 days at the request of 11 banks for the amount of UAH 4.73 billion ( US $ 172.9 million ) at 6 % per annum .
JSC Ukreximbank received the largest sum , UAH 2.89 billion ( US $ 105.66 million ) , topping the list of the borrowers .
It is followed by : • JSC Ukrainian Bank for Reconstruction and Development with UAH 50 million ( US $ 1.83 million ) ; The NBU announced in March 2020 that it was introducing long-term refinancing loans for banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in up to five years , represent an addition to existing standard short-term refinancing instruments .
This measure is intended to meet several goals at once in order to safeguard the nation ’ s financial stability and stimulate economic growth .
First , the long-term refinancing mechanism will support the banks that make hryvnia loans , reinforcing the effect of the measures the NBU has taken in recent months : cuts to the key policy rate and the introduction of loose reserve ratios .
Second , the new instrument will provide an additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liquidity .
This will also be important for the uninterrupted conduct of client transactions as confidence among the financial market ’ s participants worsens over coronavirus fears .

Fourteen Ukrainian banks get over US$176 mln in refinancing in total
20:59, 17.08.20 1066 Updated
The regulator has held two refinancing tenders recently.
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unian--2020-08-17--Second wave of COVID-19 may raise unemployment in Ukraine to about 15% – experts

There are nearly 2.8 million unemployed in Ukraine .
Ukrainian experts say the global economy may suffer a crushing blow if the so-called second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds worldwide , while Ukrainian businesses may face even greater losses and new job cuts with an unemployment rate nearing 15 % .
Livelihood expert for Caritas Ukraine ICF Hennadiy Yakubov in particular says : `` According to our data , the current unemployment rate in Ukraine is 14.7 % -14.8 % , which is 2.7 million-2.8 million people in quantitative terms , '' as reported by 5.ua on August 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions and an increase in the number of those infected , the situation will only get worse .
The number of jobs will decrease while that of workers is to be reduced , which will affect the labor market .
The number of the unemployed is expected to reach 3 million people by the end of the year , '' he added .
Yulia Drozhzhyna , head of the expert analytical center of the personnel portal grc.ua , predicts that the possible new wave of the quarantine in the autumn may hit the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ labor market .
`` That is , there is every reason to say that the number of vacancies may decrease , unfortunately .
This means that the competition will grow even more , '' she summed up .

Second wave of COVID-19 may raise unemployment in Ukraine to about 15% – experts
19:58, 17.08.20 1182
There are nearly 2.8 million unemployed in Ukraine.
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unian--2020-08-17--Ukraine recalls ambassador from Belarus

Ukraine recalls ambassador from Belarus

Ukraine 's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has announced a decision has been made to recall the Ukrainian Ambassador to Belarus @ @ @ @ @ `` I 've decided to recall Ambassador of Ukraine to Belarus Ihor Kyzym for consultations @ @ @ @ @ prospects of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations in the new reality , to develop appropriate decisions taking into @ @ @ @ @ factors .
This is solely because of Minsk 's unacceptable actions , '' Kuleba said @ @ @ @ @ ministry 's website .

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has announced a decision has been made to recall the Ukrainian Ambassador to Belarus for consultations in Kyiv.
"I've decided to recall Ambassador of Ukraine to Belarus Ihor Kyzym for consultations in Kyiv to assess the prospects of Belarusian-Ukrainian relations in the new reality, to develop appropriate decisions taking into account the entire range of factors. This is solely because of Minsk's unacceptable actions," Kuleba said in a statement on the ministry's website.


unian--2020-08-15--Russian diplomat arrested in Prague over illegal sniper ammunition deal

The arrest took place last month .
Prague police have arrested a Russian diplomat over the illegal purchases of live ammunition , including for sniper rifles .
The arrest took place last month , RadioCZ reported citing iRozhlas.cz .
Sources in the Czech secret services told the news site that the diplomat in question was employed in the military section of the Russian Embassy in Prague .
Following his detention in Říčany for buying illegal ammunition for sniper rifles and other kinds of ammunition he was released in view of his diplomatic immunity .
He then immediately left the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the country 's counterintelligence agency , in 2018 shut down a group of Russian hackers , who were part of a wider international network .
The group operated under the cover of two private IT companies , conducting hacking operations from the companies ’ computers .
These were transported to the Czech Republic by vehicles under Russian diplomatic cover , reports said .
Originally , all of the group members were Russian citizens who came to this country some years ago and got citizenship .
The mayor of Prague in April 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection the day after Czech media reported on an alleged Russian plot to poison him .
The Czech news website Respekt , citing anonymous intelligence sources , reported that an individual carrying Russian diplomatic documents and the lethal poison ricin had arrived in Prague on a mission to assassinate Hrib and another prominent Czech politician .
The generally held belief in Ukraine is that pro-democracy protesters who had braved months of cold weather to challenge their corrupt government during the Revolution of Dignity , were shot down by riot police snipers with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlantic Council reported in February 2020 .
In Belarus , among the 33 Russian Wagner Private Military Company mercenaries detained in the heat of election campaign in late July , there were snipers , bomb experts , and IT professionals , RFE/RL 's Krym.Realii project reported .

The arrest took place last month.
Prague police have arrested a Russian diplomat over the illegal purchases of live ammunition, including for sniper rifles.
The arrest took place last month, RadioCZ reported citing iRozhlas.cz.
Sources in the Czech secret services told the news site that the diplomat in question was employed in the military section of the Russian Embassy in Prague.
Видео дня
Read alsoBelarus hands 32 detained Wagner PMC mercenaries back to Russia
Following his detention in Říčany for buying illegal ammunition for sniper rifles and other kinds of ammunition he was released in view of his diplomatic immunity.
He then immediately left the country for Russia, iRozhlas.cz said.
Russian intel in Czech Republic
BIS, the country's counterintelligence agency, in 2018 shut down a group of Russian hackers, who were part of a wider international network.
The group operated under the cover of two private IT companies, conducting hacking operations from the companies’ computers. These were transported to the Czech Republic by vehicles under Russian diplomatic cover, reports said.
Originally, all of the group members were Russian citizens who came to this country some years ago and got citizenship.
The mayor of Prague in April 2020 had to be taken under tougher police protection the day after Czech media reported on an alleged Russian plot to poison him.
The Czech news website Respekt, citing anonymous intelligence sources, reported that an individual carrying Russian diplomatic documents and the lethal poison ricin had arrived in Prague on a mission to assassinate Hrib and another prominent Czech politician.
Russian snipers at times of unrest
The generally held belief in Ukraine is that pro-democracy protesters who had braved months of cold weather to challenge their corrupt government during the Revolution of Dignity, were shot down by riot police snipers with the likely involvement of Russian operatives, the Atlantic Council reported in February 2020.
In Belarus, among the 33 Russian Wagner Private Military Company mercenaries detained in the heat of election campaign in late July, there were snipers, bomb experts, and IT professionals, RFE/RL's Krym.Realii project reported.


unian--2020-08-18--SBU, police develop common approaches to protecting critical infrastructure

Particular attention should be paid to critical facilities of transport , fuel and energy , medical , and utility infrastructure .
The SBU Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have developed common approaches to protect critical infrastructure facilities from possible sabotage and terror attacks .
During an interdepartmental working meeting of SBU counterintelligence and National Police operatives , it was noted that critical infrastructure facilities could become sites for sabotage , terror attacks , corruption abuse , and unauthorized interference , the SBU press service reports .
`` Therefore , preventive action at the national level should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including to counter modern-day threats of a hybrid nature .
Particular attention should be paid to critical facilities of transport , fuel and energy , medical , and utility infrastructure , '' reads the report .
Read alsoSBU seeing spike in activity of Russian intelligence networks in UkraineAlso , participants have discussed mechanisms for further cooperation and intelligence exchange , which will allow timely identification and neutralization of threats at such facilities , as well as minimize the impact and consequences of potential incidents .
Moreover , an agreement was reached that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the framework of an interdepartmental group on critical infrastructure protection under the Economy Ministry and while preparing the relevant bill `` On critical infrastructure and its protection . ''
Over the past years , Ukrainian infrastructure facilities have been targeted in various attacks in the cyber domain .
On December 23 , 2015 , Ukrainian power companies experienced unscheduled power outages impacting a large number of customers in Ukraine .
In addition , there have also been reports of malware found in Ukrainian companies in a variety of critical infrastructure sectors , U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
ESET reported that BlackEnergy , suspected to be of the Russian origin , had been targeting Ukrainian cyber infrastructure since 2014 , that 's per Wikipedia .
In December 2016 , ESET had concluded that TeleBots had evolved from the BlackEnergy hackers and that TeleBots had been using cyberattacks to sabotage the Ukrainian financial sector during the second half of 2016 During the attack in June 2017 , the radiation monitoring system at Ukraine 's Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant went offline .
Several Ukrainian ministries , banks , metro systems and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrtelecom , Ukrposhta , State Savings Bank of Ukraine , and Ukrainian Railways ) were affected .

SBU, police develop common approaches to protecting critical infrastructure
16:40, 18.08.20 318
Particular attention should be paid to critical facilities of transport, fuel and energy, medical, and utility infrastructure.
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unian--2020-08-18--Russia continues to supply weapons, military hardware to occupied Donbas – intelligence

Up to 20 pieces of military equipment , restored and upgraded in Russia , were delivered to Donbas over the past two weeks .
Russia continues weapons and military hardware supplies to the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions , intelligence reports .
`` Russia continues to supply weapons , military hardware , and other military assets to the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions through border sections beyond Ukraine 's control , '' according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry 's Main Intelligence Directorate .
Read alsoDonbas truce : Ukraine reports two ceasefire violations by enemy forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , up to 20 pieces of military hardware , restored and upgraded b Russian defense firms , were delivered to be operated by the Russian occupation forces in Donbas .
Yet another batch of unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with modern video surveillance systems was delivered from Russia in a separate haul by trucks .
Therefore , the intelligence concludes , Russian are enhancing combat effectiveness of the 1st ( Donetsk ) and 2nd ( Luhansk ) Army Corps .
In late July and early August , within a week , Russia delivered to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least 10 armored combat vehicles , up to 30 trucks loaded with small arms , ammunition , and military equipment , as well as about 1,000 tonnes of fuel , Ukrainian military intelligence has reported .

Up to 20 pieces of military equipment, restored and upgraded in Russia, were delivered to Donbas over the past two weeks.
Russia continues weapons and military hardware supplies to the occupied areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, intelligence reports.
"Russia continues to supply weapons, military hardware, and other military assets to the temporarily occupied territories in Donetsk and Luhansk regions through border sections beyond Ukraine's control," according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate.
Read alsoDonbas truce: Ukraine reports two ceasefire violations by enemy forces on Aug 17Over the past two weeks, up to 20 pieces of military hardware, restored and upgraded b Russian defense firms, were delivered to be operated by the Russian occupation forces in Donbas.
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Yet another batch of unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with modern video surveillance systems was delivered from Russia in a separate haul by trucks.
Therefore, the intelligence concludes, Russian are enhancing combat effectiveness of the 1st (Donetsk) and 2nd (Luhansk) Army Corps.
Russian arms supplies to Donbas: previous report
In late July and early August, within a week, Russia delivered to the occupied areas in eastern Ukraine at least 10 armored combat vehicles, up to 30 trucks loaded with small arms, ammunition, and military equipment, as well as about 1,000 tonnes of fuel, Ukrainian military intelligence has reported.