unian--2020-06-09--One Ukrainian soldier wounded amid 11 enemy attacks in Donbas on June 8

According to intelligence data , three members of Russia-led forces were killed on June 8 .
Russia 's hybrid military forces on June 8 mounted 11 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action .
`` The Russian Federation 's armed formations violated the ceasefire 11 times in the past day , '' the press center of Ukraine 's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on June 9 .
`` As a result , one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opened fire , employing proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars , as well as grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and small arms .
Read alsoDonbas children deployed as weapons in Russia 's hybrid warfare against Ukraine , rights watchdog warns Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the town of Maryinka , and the villages of Novotroyitske , Vodiane , Bohdanivka , Orikhove , Novoluhanske , Novo-Oleksandrivka , Khutir Vilny , and Travneve .
Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy attack .
According to intelligence data , three members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on June 8 .
`` Since Tuesday midnight , Russia-led forces have engaged Ukrainian positions four times near Maryinka , and the villages of Orikhove , Novoluhanske and Shumy , using 120mm mortars and heavy machine guns , '' the update said .
No casualties were reported from day-start on Tuesday

According to intelligence data, three members of Russia-led forces were killed on June 8.
Russia's hybrid military forces on June 8 mounted 11 attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with one Ukrainian soldier reported as wounded in action.
"The Russian Federation's armed formations violated the ceasefire 11 times in the past day," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said on Facebook in an update as of 07:00 Kyiv time on June 9. "As a result, one Ukrainian serviceman was wounded in enemy shelling."
Russian-led forces opened fire, employing proscribed 120mm and 82mm mortars, as well as grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms.
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Read alsoDonbas children deployed as weapons in Russia's hybrid warfare against Ukraine, rights watchdog warns
Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Novotroyitske, Vodiane, Bohdanivka, Orikhove, Novoluhanske, Novo-Oleksandrivka, Khutir Vilny, and Travneve.
Joint Forces returned fire to each enemy attack. According to intelligence data, three members of Russia-led forces were killed in action on June 8.
"Since Tuesday midnight, Russia-led forces have engaged Ukrainian positions four times near Maryinka, and the villages of Orikhove, Novoluhanske and Shumy, using 120mm mortars and heavy machine guns," the update said.
No casualties were reported from day-start on Tuesday


unian--2020-06-09--Zelensky says wanted to get COVID "so that people understand this is no plague"

The president says he wanted to go through this stage himself to ease people 's stress .
Volodymyr Zelensky , the President of Ukraine , says he sought to become an example of what it is to contract the novel coronavirus and what the disease does to people .
`` I wanted to go through this stage myself .
To make sure people perceive it less stressfully , '' Zelensky told Ukrainian Pravda .
`` When we had a moment of depression , we gathered .
I suggested the team : 'Let me get infected and be immediately isolated on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv ] .
And I 'll get through this alright . '
So that people understand it really is scary , you can get sick , you do feel bad .
And I will let this go through me and show them .
But at the same time , people will understand that it 's no plague .
That 's to make sure they are n't depressed .
At the very onset , there was a very scary moment when people thought we would all die , '' said Zelensky .
Read alsoWHO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rare '' However , the idea was never implemented .
`` We decided it was too much , '' said the president .
Also , according to Zelensky , his family would not have forgiven him such a step .
`` They would say I 'm crazy .
And they 'd be right , actually , ” the president summed up .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the president , as well as prime minister , head of the presidential office and his deputies , were PCR-tested for COVID-19 .
The test was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had all been in contact with MP Serhiy Shakhov who had earlier tested positive .

The president says he wanted to go through this stage himself to ease people's stress.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, says he sought to become an example of what it is to contract the novel coronavirus and what the disease does to people.
"I wanted to go through this stage myself. To make sure people perceive it less stressfully," Zelensky told Ukrainian Pravda.
"When we had a moment of depression, we gathered. I suggested the team: 'Let me get infected and be immediately isolated on Bankova [The Presidential Office HQ in Kyiv]. And I'll get through this alright.' So that people understand it really is scary, you can get sick, you do feel bad. And I will let this go through me and show them. But at the same time, people will understand that it's no plague. That's to make sure they aren't depressed. At the very onset, there was a very scary moment when people thought we would all die," said Zelensky.
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Read alsoWHO says asymptomatic spread of coronavirus "very rare"
However, the idea was never implemented.
"We decided it was too much," said the president.
Also, according to Zelensky, his family would not have forgiven him such a step.
"They would say I'm crazy. And they'd be right, actually,” the president summed up.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the president, as well as prime minister, head of the presidential office and his deputies, were PCR-tested for COVID-19. The test was conducted due to the fact that they had all been in contact with MP Serhiy Shakhov who had earlier tested positive.


unian--2020-06-09--U.S. Congress members call on Pompeo to hit Russia with sanctions over Nord Stream 2

Russian authorities seek to complete Nord Stream 2 as a political and economic weapon to cut off critical gas transit through Ukraine , as well as to increase Kremlin 's leverage over Europe , members of Congress stress .
Members of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus have expressed concern regarding Russia 's efforts to circumvent Congressional sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline , urging State Secretary Mike Pompeo to `` urgently apply sanctions on Russian entities should they engage in pipelaying or provide technical support .
`` Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic , U.S. longstanding interests in European @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 remains firm , and we remain vigilant in our efforts to protect Ukrainian sovereignty and European allies and partners from malign Russian influence , '' Ukrainian Caucus members wrote in a letter to Pompeo .
`` Russian dictator Vladimir Putin seeks to sow discord in the Transatlantic alliance through hybrid warfare operations , '' the letter reads .
`` This includes weaponizing energy to weaken democratic institutions and solidarity through the export of strategic corruption . ''
Members of Congress recall that in 2006 and 2009 Russian authorities cut off gas flows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardship for Ukraine and also neighboring countries , including Bulgaria and Romania .
This year , the Kremlin has attempted to coerce Belarus into forming a union state to chart a path to keep Putin in power beyond Russia 's own Presidential term by engaging in a cutoff of oil shipments .
`` More recently , Russian authorities seek to complete Nord Stream 2 as a political and economic weapon to cut off critical gas transit through Ukraine , a nation fighting for its survival against Russian aggression and occupation of its regions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leverage over Europe , '' the letter says .
`` That is why several eastern European , Nordic and Baltic countries have joined the United States in expressing their concerns with the project . ''
It is recalled that the U.S. Congress `` on an overwhelming bipartisan basis established the means to apply targeted sanctions on pipelaying companies to halt the pipeline and protect Ukraine 's security . ''
`` Unfortunately , it appears that Russian authorities believe Western officials are distracted by COVID-19 and currently seek to circumvent these sanctions and finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipelaying vessels : the Akademik Cherskiy owned by STIF ( previously Gazflot ) and the Fortuna owned by Russian-owned MRTS , '' members of Congress note .
`` These ships are currently docked near the German Port of Mukran and could potentially be joined by other maritime technology service vessels in the future . ''
The Kremlin is hoping that by fast-tracking the completion of the project , the U.S. will fail to respond in due speed , the authors of the letter stress , adding that they remain optimistic this will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition to the pipeline .
`` While we applaud the German energy regulator 's decision to apply EU energy anti-monopoly laws to Nord Stream 2 , any gas transit through the pipeline would create incentives to reduce transit through Ukraine , weakening that country 's sovereignty and ability to defend itself against Russian aggression , '' Congress members note .
`` For these reasons , we respectfully urge you , in consultation with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin , to apply NDAA sanctions on STIF and MRTS and any other firm should they engage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect Ukraine and our European allies and partners from this tool in the Kremlin 's broader tool-kit of malign influence , '' the letter reads .
Members of Congress also stressed the need for the U.S. to continue to provide Europe with alternative energy source options and pursue with diplomatic efforts to support European energy diversification efforts through the Three Seas Initiative , and to promote member nation and private investments to move forward with joint financing of infrastructure projects .

Russian authorities seek to complete Nord Stream 2 as a political and economic weapon to cut off critical gas transit through Ukraine, as well as to increase Kremlin's leverage over Europe, members of Congress stress.
Members of the bipartisan Congressional Ukraine Caucus have expressed concern regarding Russia's efforts to circumvent Congressional sanctions on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, urging State Secretary Mike Pompeo to "urgently apply sanctions on Russian entities should they engage in pipelaying or provide technical support.
"Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. longstanding interests in European energy security and opposition to Nord Stream 2 remains firm, and we remain vigilant in our efforts to protect Ukrainian sovereignty and European allies and partners from malign Russian influence," Ukrainian Caucus members wrote in a letter to Pompeo.
"Russian dictator Vladimir Putin seeks to sow discord in the Transatlantic alliance through hybrid warfare operations," the letter reads. "This includes weaponizing energy to weaken democratic institutions and solidarity through the export of strategic corruption."
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Members of Congress recall that in 2006 and 2009 Russian authorities cut off gas flows through Ukraine during the winter leading to hardship for Ukraine and also neighboring countries, including Bulgaria and Romania.
This year, the Kremlin has attempted to coerce Belarus into forming a union state to chart a path to keep Putin in power beyond Russia's own Presidential term by engaging in a cutoff of oil shipments.
"More recently, Russian authorities seek to complete Nord Stream 2 as a political and economic weapon to cut off critical gas transit through Ukraine, a nation fighting for its survival against Russian aggression and occupation of its regions, as well as to increase its leverage over Europe," the letter says. "That is why several eastern European, Nordic and Baltic countries have joined the United States in expressing their concerns with the project."
It is recalled that the U.S. Congress "on an overwhelming bipartisan basis established the means to apply targeted sanctions on pipelaying companies to halt the pipeline and protect Ukraine's security."
"Unfortunately, it appears that Russian authorities believe Western officials are distracted by COVID-19 and currently seek to circumvent these sanctions and finish the pipeline through use of two Russian pipelaying vessels: the Akademik Cherskiy owned by STIF (previously Gazflot) and the Fortuna owned by Russian-owned MRTS," members of Congress note. "These ships are currently docked near the German Port of Mukran and could potentially be joined by other maritime technology service vessels in the future."
Read alsoU.S. - sanctions - Gazprom: Washington's attempt to defeat Nord Stream 2
The Kremlin is hoping that by fast-tracking the completion of the project, the U.S. will fail to respond in due speed, the authors of the letter stress, adding that they remain optimistic this will not be the case given continued U.S. bipartisan opposition to the pipeline.
"While we applaud the German energy regulator's decision to apply EU energy anti-monopoly laws to Nord Stream 2, any gas transit through the pipeline would create incentives to reduce transit through Ukraine, weakening that country's sovereignty and ability to defend itself against Russian aggression," Congress members note.
"For these reasons, we respectfully urge you, in consultation with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, to apply NDAA sanctions on STIF and MRTS and any other firm should they engage in pipelaying or provide technical support, to protect Ukraine and our European allies and partners from this tool in the Kremlin's broader tool-kit of malign influence," the letter reads.
Members of Congress also stressed the need for the U.S. to continue to provide Europe with alternative energy source options and pursue with diplomatic efforts to support European energy diversification efforts through the Three Seas Initiative, and to promote member nation and private investments to move forward with joint financing of infrastructure projects.


unian--2020-06-10--Call with Merkel: Putin presses for "direct dialogue" between Ukraine and Russia's proxies

The two officials agreed on further contacts .
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during which he `` emphasized the relevance of establishing a direct dialogue '' between Kyiv and Russia 's proxies .
The two leaders continued to exchange views on the state of affairs in Donbas and `` expressed concern about the lack of progress in implementing the 2015 Minsk agreements and the decisions taken following the Normandy summit in Paris in 2019 .
The importance of stepping up the negotiation process in the Contact Group and in the Normandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again emphasized the relevance of establishing a direct dialogue between Kyiv and the republics of Donetsk and Luhansk , aimed at , among other things , agreeing on steps for the consistent implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures , '' the Kremlin 's press service said in a readout .
Read alsoZelensky says does n't care much about Putin 's human qualities The two officials agreed on further contacts .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Merkel had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 5 .
During the conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Ukraine in the work of the Trilateral Contact Group to resolve the situation in Donbas , the east of Ukraine , Zelensky 's press service said then .
The Ukrainian president also updated the German Chancellor on the then security situation in Donbas , noting problems that required increased attention from international partners .

The two officials agreed on further contacts.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has held a phone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during which he "emphasized the relevance of establishing a direct dialogue" between Kyiv and Russia's proxies.
The two leaders continued to exchange views on the state of affairs in Donbas and "expressed concern about the lack of progress in implementing the 2015 Minsk agreements and the decisions taken following the Normandy summit in Paris in 2019. The importance of stepping up the negotiation process in the Contact Group and in the Normandy format was noted. The Russian President again emphasized the relevance of establishing a direct dialogue between Kyiv and the republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, aimed at, among other things, agreeing on steps for the consistent implementation of the Minsk Package of Measures," the Kremlin's press service said in a readout.
Read alsoZelensky says doesn't care much about Putin's human qualities
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The two officials agreed on further contacts.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Merkel had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 5.
During the conversation she pledged to support the changes initiated by Ukraine in the work of the Trilateral Contact Group to resolve the situation in Donbas, the east of Ukraine, Zelensky's press service said then.
The Ukrainian president also updated the German Chancellor on the then security situation in Donbas, noting problems that required increased attention from international partners.


unian--2020-06-10--IMF approves 18-month US$5 bln Stand-By Arrangement for Ukraine

The approval of the SBA enables the immediate disbursement of about US $ 2.1 billion .
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) has approved an 18-month Stand-by Arrangement for Ukraine , with access equivalent to SDR 3.6 billion ( about US $ 5 billion , or 179 % of quota ) .
`` The new program aims to help Ukraine to cope with COVID-19 pandemic challenges by providing balance of payments and budget support , while safeguarding achievements to date and advancing a small set of key structural reforms , to ensure that Ukraine is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis ends , '' the IMF said in a statement on June 9 .
The approval of the SBA enables the immediate disbursement of the equivalent of SDR 1.5 billion ( about US $ 2.1 billion ) .
The remainder will be phased over four reviews .
The new arrangement succeeds the 14-month SBA that was approved in December 2018 , which was focused on maintaining stability during the election year .
Policies under the new arrangement will focus on four priorities : ( i ) mitigating the economic impact of the crisis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; ( ii ) ensuring continued central bank independence and a flexible exchange rate ; ( iii ) safeguarding financial stability while recovering the costs from bank resolutions ; and ( iv ) moving forward with key governance and anti-corruption measures to preserve and deepen recent gains .
`` The new Stand-By Arrangement will provide an anchor for the authorities ' efforts to address the impact of the crisis , while ensuring macroeconomic stability and safeguarding achievements to date .
Together with support from the World Bank and the European Union , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' IMF Managing Director and Chair Kristalina Georgieva was quoted as saying .
`` The program will focus on safeguarding medium-term fiscal sustainability , preserving central bank independence and the flexible exchange rate , and enhancing financial stability while recovering the costs from bank resolutions .
Concerted reform efforts aimed at tackling corruption and strengthening governance will be critical to ensure macroeconomic stability and achieve sustainable and inclusive growth . ''
The IMF official also praised the Ukrainian Central Bank 's efforts and stressed the importance of the regulator 's independence .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) has skillfully managed monetary policy during a very challenging period , '' she said .
`` Central Bank independence should be preserved , and monetary and exchange rate policies should continue to provide a stable anchor in the context of the inflation-targeting regime , while allowing orderly exchange rate adjustment and preventing liquidity stress .
Financial policies should strike a balance between preserving financial stability and assisting the recovery . ''
`` Full and timely implementation of policies under the Fund-supported program will be critical to mitigate economic risks and lay the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she added .
The Executive Board also discussed the ex-post evaluation of exceptional access under Ukraine 's 2015 extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility ( EFF ) , which concluded that the extended arrangement helped restore macroeconomic stability and growth but did not fully address Ukraine 's underlying balance of payments vulnerabilities .

The approval of the SBA enables the immediate disbursement of about US$2.1 billion.
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved an 18-month Stand-by Arrangement for Ukraine, with access equivalent to SDR 3.6 billion (about US$5 billion, or 179% of quota).
"The new program aims to help Ukraine to cope with COVID-19 pandemic challenges by providing balance of payments and budget support, while safeguarding achievements to date and advancing a small set of key structural reforms, to ensure that Ukraine is well-poised to return to growth when the crisis ends," the IMF said in a statement on June 9.
Read alsoEU approves EUR 500 mln in macro-financial assistance to Ukraine
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The approval of the SBA enables the immediate disbursement of the equivalent of SDR 1.5 billion (about US$2.1 billion). The remainder will be phased over four reviews.
The new arrangement succeeds the 14-month SBA that was approved in December 2018, which was focused on maintaining stability during the election year. Policies under the new arrangement will focus on four priorities: (i) mitigating the economic impact of the crisis, including by supporting households and businesses; (ii) ensuring continued central bank independence and a flexible exchange rate; (iii) safeguarding financial stability while recovering the costs from bank resolutions; and (iv) moving forward with key governance and anti-corruption measures to preserve and deepen recent gains.
"The new Stand-By Arrangement will provide an anchor for the authorities' efforts to address the impact of the crisis, while ensuring macroeconomic stability and safeguarding achievements to date. Together with support from the World Bank and the European Union, it will help address large financing needs," IMF Managing Director and Chair Kristalina Georgieva was quoted as saying. "The program will focus on safeguarding medium-term fiscal sustainability, preserving central bank independence and the flexible exchange rate, and enhancing financial stability while recovering the costs from bank resolutions. Concerted reform efforts aimed at tackling corruption and strengthening governance will be critical to ensure macroeconomic stability and achieve sustainable and inclusive growth."
The IMF official also praised the Ukrainian Central Bank's efforts and stressed the importance of the regulator's independence. "The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has skillfully managed monetary policy during a very challenging period," she said. "Central Bank independence should be preserved, and monetary and exchange rate policies should continue to provide a stable anchor in the context of the inflation-targeting regime, while allowing orderly exchange rate adjustment and preventing liquidity stress. Financial policies should strike a balance between preserving financial stability and assisting the recovery."
"Full and timely implementation of policies under the Fund-supported program will be critical to mitigate economic risks and lay the ground for stabilization and recovery," she added.
The Executive Board also discussed the ex-post evaluation of exceptional access under Ukraine's 2015 extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), which concluded that the extended arrangement helped restore macroeconomic stability and growth but did not fully address Ukraine's underlying balance of payments vulnerabilities.


unian--2020-06-09--Zelensky: Ukraine's government to present finalized action plan this week

The president met with Cabinet members on June 9 .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine 's government is ready to present its finalized action plan 2.0 to parliament this week .
While meeting with Cabinet members , representatives of the parliamentary committees , and chiefs of law enforcement agencies on June 9 , the president recalled that lawmakers had not backed the first version of the program , according to the presidential press service .
`` The parliamentary committees had numerous comments and suggestions .
A lot of criticism came from members of the Servant of the People [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The prime minister has informed that the government has carefully worked out all the constructive proposals and is ready to table program 2.0 in parliament this week . ''
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal , in turn , said that the Cabinet would ask the parliament to consider the program on June 18-19 and support it .
According to him , the document was revised taking into account the proposals of all committees , tasks from the political programs of President Zelensky and the Servant of the People Party , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committees .
`` This is a backbone document consisting of two sections .
The first one is an anti-crisis section .
The other features the government 's long-term priorities .
Each section coincides with the areas of strategy that exist in the ministries .
Each section contains the expected results and indicators , as is the case for such a program , '' Shmyhal noted .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Verkhovna Rada , Ukraine 's parliament , on June 4 sent the government 's program for finalization .

The president met with Cabinet members on June 9.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine's government is ready to present its finalized action plan 2.0 to parliament this week.
While meeting with Cabinet members, representatives of the parliamentary committees, and chiefs of law enforcement agencies on June 9, the president recalled that lawmakers had not backed the first version of the program, according to the presidential press service.
"The parliamentary committees had numerous comments and suggestions. A lot of criticism came from members of the Servant of the People [parliamentary faction]," he said. "The prime minister has informed that the government has carefully worked out all the constructive proposals and is ready to table program 2.0 in parliament this week."
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Read alsoUkrainian parliament sends government's draft action program for finalization
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, in turn, said that the Cabinet would ask the parliament to consider the program on June 18-19 and support it.
According to him, the document was revised taking into account the proposals of all committees, tasks from the political programs of President Zelensky and the Servant of the People Party, as well as presidential decrees and remarks from the committees.
"This is a backbone document consisting of two sections. The first one is an anti-crisis section. The other features the government's long-term priorities. Each section coincides with the areas of strategy that exist in the ministries. Each section contains the expected results and indicators, as is the case for such a program," Shmyhal noted.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on June 4 sent the government's program for finalization.


unian--2020-06-09--RFE/RL: Jailed Belarusian vlogger with presidential ambitions may face prison

Since Tsikhanouski 's candidacy was rejected , his wife Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been trying to get registered as a candidate herself .
Syarhey Tsikhanouski , a jailed Belarusian vlogger who is seeking to take part in an August presidential election , may face up to three years in prison for organizing pro-democracy rallies .
The Belarusian Investigative Committee said on June 9 on Telegram that Tsikhanouski and seven other persons had been charged `` with the organization and preparation of actions that severely violated public order '' in the western city of Hrodna , on May 29 , a reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential independent presidential candidates , including himself , Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) said .
According to the statement , all of the suspects have been placed in pretrial detention , in accordance with a prosecutor 's arrest warrant .
Read alsoRFE/RL : Belarusian opposition leader Statkevich detained on way to rally If convicted , Tsikhanouski and the other detainees face up to three years in prison .
One of the individuals is also charged with assaulting two law enforcement officers and may face up to 6 years in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be released from jail on June 8 after finishing his 10-day incarceration for taking part in the unsanctioned rally on May 29 .
He was not released and city authorities have said they will explain later why he remained in custody .
Tsikhanouski is the owner of a popular YouTube channel called `` The Country for Life , '' which challenges Belarusian authorities .
Before his 10-day incarceration , Tsikhanouski was jailed in May for several days for organizing and taking part in other rallies .
On May 15 , the Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his candidacy for the presidential election scheduled for August 9 .
Since Tsikhanouski 's candidacy was rejected , his wife Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been trying to get registered as a candidate herself , collecting the necessary 100,000 signatures to qualify .

Since Tsikhanouski's candidacy was rejected, his wife Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been trying to get registered as a candidate herself.
Syarhey Tsikhanouski, a jailed Belarusian vlogger who is seeking to take part in an August presidential election, may face up to three years in prison for organizing pro-democracy rallies.
The Belarusian Investigative Committee said on June 9 on Telegram that Tsikhanouski and seven other persons had been charged "with the organization and preparation of actions that severely violated public order" in the western city of Hrodna, on May 29, a reference to rallies held to collect signatures for potential independent presidential candidates, including himself, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said.
According to the statement, all of the suspects have been placed in pretrial detention, in accordance with a prosecutor's arrest warrant.
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Read alsoRFE/RL: Belarusian opposition leader Statkevich detained on way to rally
If convicted, Tsikhanouski and the other detainees face up to three years in prison. One of the individuals is also charged with assaulting two law enforcement officers and may face up to 6 years in prison if convicted.
Tsikhanouski was supposed to be released from jail on June 8 after finishing his 10-day incarceration for taking part in the unsanctioned rally on May 29.
He was not released and city authorities have said they will explain later why he remained in custody.
Tsikhanouski is the owner of a popular YouTube channel called "The Country for Life," which challenges Belarusian authorities.
Before his 10-day incarceration, Tsikhanouski was jailed in May for several days for organizing and taking part in other rallies.
On May 15, the Central Election Commission rejected Tsikhanouski's registration documents for his candidacy for the presidential election scheduled for August 9.
Since Tsikhanouski's candidacy was rejected, his wife Svyatlana Tsikhanouskaya has been trying to get registered as a candidate herself, collecting the necessary 100,000 signatures to qualify.


unian--2020-06-09--Ten Ukraine servicemen injured in Spartan vehicle blast in Avdiyivka

A criminal case was opened to probe into the act of terrorism .
Ten Ukrainian servicemen were injured in a @ @ @ @ @ personnel carrier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit an unidentified explosive device in the @ @ @ @ @ region , on Tuesday morning .
Law enforcement agencies opened a criminal case under Part @ @ @ @ @ an act of terrorism ) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to probe into the @ @ @ @ @ 's Office of Ukraine said .
The pretrial investigation is being supervised by the Krasnoarmiysk @ @ @ @ @ investigators established that while passing by Avdiyivka Coke and Chemical Plant 's Cultural Center , @ @ @ @ @ was the trail car in a convoy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine , exploded @ @ @ @ @ on June 9 , 2020 .
The servicemen who sustained mine-blast injuries received first aid @ @ @ @ @ a locally assembled armored personnel carrier based on Ford F-550 pickup truck chassis .

A criminal case was opened to probe into the act of terrorism.
Ten Ukrainian servicemen were injured in a blast as a Spartan armored personnel carrier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine hit an unidentified explosive device in the town of Avdiyivka, Donetsk region, on Tuesday morning.
Law enforcement agencies opened a criminal case under Part 2 of Article 258 (an act of terrorism) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine to probe into the incident, the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine said.
Read alsoOne Ukrainian soldier wounded amid 11 enemy attacks in Donbas on June 8
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The pretrial investigation is being supervised by the Krasnoarmiysk prosecutor's office.
The investigators established that while passing by Avdiyivka Coke and Chemical Plant's Cultural Center, the Spartan vehicle, which was the trail car in a convoy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, exploded at about 09:30 Kyiv time on June 9, 2020.
The servicemen who sustained mine-blast injuries received first aid.
The KrAZ Spartan is a locally assembled armored personnel carrier based on Ford F-550 pickup truck chassis.


unian--2020-06-09--"It's as if the road was bombed": stressed-out driver posts photos of M13 highway in Mykolayiv regio

"It's as if the road was bombed": stressed-out driver posts photos of M13 highway in Mykolayiv region

This is the actual condition of the M13 highway from the junction with P06 to the administrative border of Kirovohrad @ @ @ @ @ has posted the photos showing the catastrophic condition of the M13 Poltava-Chisinau international highway .
@ @ @ @ @ in the `` I hate Ukravtodor '' group on Facebook .
It can be seen @ @ @ @ @ `` highway '' has turned into a heap of huge boulders that drivers are forced @ @ @ @ @ contacted the author of the photos .
The driver said the photos had been taken @ @ @ @ @ in Mykolayiv region .
`` This is the M13 highway from the junction with P06 @ @ @ @ @ region .
These photos were taken near the village of Sofiyivka-Voievodske .
In that spot @ @ @ @ @ 1.5 hours to pass this 30-km section , '' the driver said .
Netizens did @ @ @ @ @ contributed to the comment section .
However , it seems the pictures were of little @ @ @ @ @ aware of the road quality in the area .

This is the actual condition of the M13 highway from the junction with P06 to the administrative border of Kirovohrad region.
Driver Oleksandr Ostrovskiy has posted the photos showing the catastrophic condition of the M13 Poltava-Chisinau international highway.
The relevant photos were posted in the "I hate Ukravtodor" group on Facebook.
It can be seen that in some places the "highway" has turned into a heap of huge boulders that drivers are forced to drive around.
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UNIAN contacted the author of the photos. The driver said the photos had been taken near the village of Sofiyivka-Voievodske in Mykolayiv region.
"This is the M13 highway from the junction with P06 to the border of Kirovohrad region. These photos were taken near the village of Sofiyivka-Voievodske. In that spot, it will take you 1.5 hours to pass this 30-km section," the driver said.
Netizens did not stay indifferent and actively contributed to the comment section. However, it seems the pictures were of little surprise to most who are aware of the road quality in the area.


unian--2020-06-09--No new coronavirus cases recorded in six Ukrainian regions

Positive dynamics are observed mainly in the east and south .
No new coronavirus cases have been recorded in six @ @ @ @ @ dynamics are observed mainly in the east and south , as evidenced by the data @ @ @ @ @ In particular , no new patients are reported in Dnipropetrovsk , Luhansk , Mykolayiv , @ @ @ @ @ Khmelnytsky regions .
Read alsoPoland transfers humanitarian aid to Ukrainian military doctors to fight off @ @ @ @ @ , one each recovery from COVID-19 was recorded in Poltava and Khmelnytsky regions .
Neither @ @ @ @ @ reported in the rest of these regions .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the number @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine exceeded 27,800 as of the morning of Tuesday , June 9 .
Of them @ @ @ @ @ in the past 24 hours .

Positive dynamics are observed mainly in the east and south.
No new coronavirus cases have been recorded in six regions of Ukraine.
Positive dynamics are observed mainly in the east and south, as evidenced by the data of Public Health Center.
In particular, no new patients are reported in Dnipropetrovsk, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Kherson, and Khmelnytsky regions.
Видео дня
Read alsoPoland transfers humanitarian aid to Ukrainian military doctors to fight off COVID-19
At the same time, one each recovery from COVID-19 was recorded in Poltava and Khmelnytsky regions. Neither new recoveries nor fatalities were reported in the rest of these regions.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Ukraine exceeded 27,800 as of the morning of Tuesday, June 9. Of them, 394 cases were reported in the past 24 hours.


unian--2020-06-09--Zelensky's bill on referendum: Scope of issues, online voting

Only the issues stipulated by the law could be a subject of a national referendum .
Bill No .
3612 on the national referendum , which was tabled by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in parliament , provides for online voting and the expression of the nation 's will on four subjects .
The wording of the bill and the enclosed explanatory note are available on the Ukrainian parliament 's website .
Read also '' A very dangerous topic '' : ex-NSDC secretary assesses Ukraine 's readiness for referendum on Donbas According to the bill , the following issues could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Approval of the law on amendments to sections I , III , XIII of the Constitution of Ukraine ( the general provisions , elections and the referendum itself , as well as justice – 38 articles in total ) ; • An issue concerning change in the territory of Ukraine ; • The expiration of a law of Ukraine or its individual provision .
A national referendum is not to address bills concerning taxes , the budget , and amnesty .
The draft law expands the range of parties to the referendum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Election Commission ( CEC ) as supporters or opponents of an issue to be voted by referendum nationwide .
These are both political parties and non-governmental organizations that are registered by the CEC in accordance with the procedure .
The bill also determines the possibility of introducing electronic procedures for organizing and conducting a nationwide referendum , including electronic voting .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Zelensky tabled the No .
3612 bill on the national referendum in parliament on June 9 .

Only the issues stipulated by the law could be a subject of a national referendum.
Bill No. 3612 on the national referendum, which was tabled by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in parliament, provides for online voting and the expression of the nation's will on four subjects.
The wording of the bill and the enclosed explanatory note are available on the Ukrainian parliament's website.
Read also"A very dangerous topic": ex-NSDC secretary assesses Ukraine's readiness for referendum on Donbas
Видео дня
According to the bill, the following issues could be a subject of a national referendum:
Approval of the law on amendments to sections I, III, XIII of the Constitution of Ukraine (the general provisions, elections and the referendum itself, as well as justice – 38 articles in total);
A matter of national importance;
An issue concerning change in the territory of Ukraine;
The expiration of a law of Ukraine or its individual provision.
A national referendum is not to address bills concerning taxes, the budget, and amnesty.
The draft law expands the range of parties to the referendum process that are registered by the Central Election Commission (CEC) as supporters or opponents of an issue to be voted by referendum nationwide.
These are both political parties and non-governmental organizations that are registered by the CEC in accordance with the procedure.
The bill also determines the possibility of introducing electronic procedures for organizing and conducting a nationwide referendum, including electronic voting.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Zelensky tabled the No. 3612 bill on the national referendum in parliament on June 9.


unian--2020-06-09--U.S. may have photos of MH17 missile, court hears

MH17 was shot down over an area where Ukrainian troops were fighting Russian-controlled forces .
The United States may have crucial satellite photos of the missile used to bring down MH17 six years ago but the images are classified , a court has heard .
In the District Court of The Hague on Tuesday , prosecutor Thijs Berger discussed radar and satellite analysis of the July 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 , CanberraTimes reported citing the Associated Press .
All 298 on board the plane were killed when it was shot down in Ukraine over an area where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians Oleg Pulatov , Igor Girkin , Sergey Dubinsky and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko are being tried in absentia in the Netherlands for murder and the destruction of a civilian airliner .
Berger says the U.S. director of national intelligence issued a statement three days after the crash saying a surface-to-air missile had been launched 6 km south of Snizhne that `` went into the aircraft '' .
He says the Dutch national prosecutor was briefed by U.S. officials on several classified and unclassified documents .
`` Part of the underlying metadata and research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inspection , '' Berger told the court .
`` The U.S. authorities have indicated that they can not provide more information about the detection of the missile than stated in the written statement and that the Dutch national prosecutor has given it confidential . ''
The prosecutor said Russia only provided low-resolution satellite photos and China said its satellite flying over the region at the time of the crash was not working .
The joint investigation team also analyzed all available radar data from Ukraine and Russia , none of which detected a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missile .
Read alsoRussia pursues with compromising MH17 probe through its agents of influence – media Two court-appointed radar experts , the Dutch Safety Board , Russian arms maker Almaz Antey and the Russian defence ministry agreed Russian civilian radar data did not show a missile either .
Russia did not provide its military radar to the probe .
However , the experts concluded a small and fast-flying Buk missile , which is smaller than a drone , is easy to miss on radar .
Berger said other possibilities were the missile was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have stored the data , or the missile was not initially detected because it flew below the 800m radar horizon .
One of the experts also suggested that imagery showing the missile could have later been deleted .
`` According to him , this is a very simple operation and that removal can not be determined afterwards , '' Berger said .

MH17 was shot down over an area where Ukrainian troops were fighting Russian-controlled forces.
The United States may have crucial satellite photos of the missile used to bring down MH17 six years ago but the images are classified, a court has heard.
In the District Court of The Hague on Tuesday, prosecutor Thijs Berger discussed radar and satellite analysis of the July 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, CanberraTimes reported citing the Associated Press.
All 298 on board the plane were killed when it was shot down in Ukraine over an area where government troops were fighting Russian-controlled forces.
Видео дня
Russians Oleg Pulatov, Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinsky and Ukrainian Leonid Kharchenko are being tried in absentia in the Netherlands for murder and the destruction of a civilian airliner.
Berger says the U.S. director of national intelligence issued a statement three days after the crash saying a surface-to-air missile had been launched 6 km south of Snizhne that "went into the aircraft".
He says the Dutch national prosecutor was briefed by U.S. officials on several classified and unclassified documents.
"Part of the underlying metadata and research data has not been made available for inspection," Berger told the court.
"The U.S. authorities have indicated that they cannot provide more information about the detection of the missile than stated in the written statement and that the Dutch national prosecutor has given it confidential."
The prosecutor said Russia only provided low-resolution satellite photos and China said its satellite flying over the region at the time of the crash was not working.
The joint investigation team also analyzed all available radar data from Ukraine and Russia, none of which detected a fighter plane in the area or a missile.
Read alsoRussia pursues with compromising MH17 probe through its agents of influence – media
Two court-appointed radar experts, the Dutch Safety Board, Russian arms maker Almaz Antey and the Russian defence ministry agreed Russian civilian radar data did not show a missile either. Russia did not provide its military radar to the probe.
However, the experts concluded a small and fast-flying Buk missile, which is smaller than a drone, is easy to miss on radar.
Berger said other possibilities were the missile was detected but the Russian civilian system may not have stored the data, or the missile was not initially detected because it flew below the 800m radar horizon.
One of the experts also suggested that imagery showing the missile could have later been deleted.
"According to him, this is a very simple operation and that removal cannot be determined afterwards," Berger said.
The trial continues.


unian--2020-06-09--UkrLandFarming owner Bakhmatyuk to sue ex-deputy prosecutor general Kasko for "eight-month terror"

The Kyiv-based Pechersky District Court 's decision that revokes ex-deputy prosecutor general Vitaliy Kasko 's resolution relaunching criminal proceedings against Oleg Bakhmatyuk should let UkrLandFarming get back to normal work .
Former owner of VAB Bank and owner of one of Ukraine 's largest agricultural producers , UkrLandFarming , Oleg Bakhmatyuk , has announced his intention to sue ex-deputy prosecutor general Vitaliy Kasko for reopening the criminal case against him , which led to `` eight-months terror '' against the businessman and the holding 's personnel .
`` We will sue Kasko , as he violated all the provisions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and people [ the holding 's workers ] .
We will appeal to Ukraine 's courts and law enforcement agencies regarding his offense , which in fact is the source of almost eight months ' terror against one of Ukraine 's major employers , which employs 27,000 people , '' he told UNIAN on June 9 .
Read alsoResumed unlawfully : Court rules in case of Pysaruk and Bakhmatyuk ( Document ) According to Bakhmatyuk , the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine ( NABU ) has since then conducted dozens of searches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , thanks to the ruling by Kyiv 's Pechersky District Court , which overturned Kasko 's resolution to resume criminal prosecution of Bakhmatyuk , UkrLandFarming 's work is expected to get back to normal .
`` Kasko 's resolution is the basis , without which such actions will no longer be possible .
Threatening messages and tens of thousands of summons were issued to our employees .
We brought people out onto the streets three times to reach out to authorities .
These are the people who work , pay taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added .
The Pechersky District Court 's ruling is expected to cancel a resolution by the Appellate Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court on Bakhmatyuk 's arrest in absentia , he said .
`` I hope this ruling will give us the opportunity to reach some constructive logical conclusion .
It will be final , not subject to appeal… Now all prosecutions shall be stopped .
After that , we will continue to have an open dialogue with the government , '' he summed up .
As UNIAN reported , on May 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court upheld an appeal motion tabled by the prosecutor from the Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor 's Office ( SAPO ) and ruled that Bakhmatyuk be remanded in custody .
On November 22 , 2019 , the website of the Ministry of the Interior published information on putting ex-owner of VAB Bank and owner of UkrLandFarming Agro Holding Oleg Bakhmatyuk on the wanted list .
In fact , investigators were aware of his whereabouts , while Interpol refused to declare Bakhmatyuk wanted internationally .
Earlier , on November 14 , NABU detectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a UAH 1.2 billion [ US $ 45.1 million ) stabilization loan issued by the National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) to VAB Bank .
Bakhmatyuk was charged with committing crimes under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine .
UNIAN memo .
The UkrLandFarming group of companies was founded in 2007 .
The holding 's land bank is 570,000 hectares .
The company engaged in production of grain , sugar , meat , raw milk , leather , eggs and egg products .
UkrLandFarming operates one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complexes , two of which are the largest in Eurasia , with a capacity of 2.6 million tonnes .
The company exports products to 40 countries .

The Kyiv-based Pechersky District Court's decision that revokes ex-deputy prosecutor general Vitaliy Kasko's resolution relaunching criminal proceedings against Oleg Bakhmatyuk should let UkrLandFarming get back to normal work.
Former owner of VAB Bank and owner of one of Ukraine's largest agricultural producers, UkrLandFarming, Oleg Bakhmatyuk, has announced his intention to sue ex-deputy prosecutor general Vitaliy Kasko for reopening the criminal case against him, which led to "eight-months terror" against the businessman and the holding's personnel.
"We will sue Kasko, as he violated all the provisions. He has terrorized me personally, UkrLandFarming, and people [the holding's workers]. We will appeal to Ukraine's courts and law enforcement agencies regarding his offense, which in fact is the source of almost eight months' terror against one of Ukraine's major employers, which employs 27,000 people," he told UNIAN on June 9.
Видео дня
Read alsoResumed unlawfully: Court rules in case of Pysaruk and Bakhmatyuk (Document)
According to Bakhmatyuk, the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) has since then conducted dozens of searches in the company, threatening its management. However, thanks to the ruling by Kyiv's Pechersky District Court, which overturned Kasko's resolution to resume criminal prosecution of Bakhmatyuk, UkrLandFarming's work is expected to get back to normal.
"Kasko's resolution is the basis, without which such actions will no longer be possible. Threatening messages and tens of thousands of summons were issued to our employees. We brought people out onto the streets three times to reach out to authorities. These are the people who work, pay taxes, and create GDP," he added.
The Pechersky District Court's ruling is expected to cancel a resolution by the Appellate Chamber of the High Anti-Corruption Court on Bakhmatyuk's arrest in absentia, he said.
"I hope this ruling will give us the opportunity to reach some constructive logical conclusion. It will be final, not subject to appeal… Now all prosecutions shall be stopped. After that, we will continue to have an open dialogue with the government," he summed up.
As UNIAN reported, on May 28, 2020, the Appeals Chamber of the Supreme Anti-Corruption Court upheld an appeal motion tabled by the prosecutor from the Special Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) and ruled that Bakhmatyuk be remanded in custody.
On November 22, 2019, the website of the Ministry of the Interior published information on putting ex-owner of VAB Bank and owner of UkrLandFarming Agro Holding Oleg Bakhmatyuk on the wanted list. In fact, investigators were aware of his whereabouts, while Interpol refused to declare Bakhmatyuk wanted internationally.
Earlier, on November 14, NABU detectives informed Bakhmatyuk he was suspected of embezzling a UAH 1.2 billion [US$45.1 million) stabilization loan issued by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to VAB Bank.
Bakhmatyuk was charged with committing crimes under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
UNIAN memo. The UkrLandFarming group of companies was founded in 2007. The holding's land bank is 570,000 hectares. The company engaged in production of grain, sugar, meat, raw milk, leather, eggs and egg products. UkrLandFarming operates one of Ukraine's major network of modern silo complexes, two of which are the largest in Eurasia, with a capacity of 2.6 million tonnes. The company exports products to 40 countries.


unian--2020-06-09--Kyiv stands 106th in Mercer 2020 Cost of Living Ranking

The Ukrainian capital city shares the 106th place with Hamburg and Lisbon .
Kyiv ranks 106th out of the 209 cities in the Mercer 2020 Cost of Living Ranking , having climbed by 44 positions from the 150th spot .
The Ukrainian capital city shares the 106th place with Hamburg ( Germany ) and Lisbon ( Portugal ) , according to Mercer 's 26th annual Cost of Living Survey .
The top five most expensive cities for emigrants include : Hong Kong ( Special Administrative Region of the People 's Republic of China/HKSAR ) , Ashgabat ( Turkmenistan ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Switzerland ) , and Singapore ( Singapore ) .
Tunisia , Windhoek ( Namibia ) , Bishkek ( Kyrgyzstan ) , Tashkent ( Uzbekistan ) and Karachi ( Pakistan ) closed the ranking .
When compiling the rating , Mercer took into account currency , cost inflation for goods and services , and instability of accommodation prices in cities .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Kyiv had climbed by 22 positions in the Economist Intelligence Unit 's Worldwide Cost of Living 2020 ranking from the 133rd to the 86th spot , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong , and Osaka .

The Ukrainian capital city shares the 106th place with Hamburg and Lisbon.
Kyiv ranks 106th out of the 209 cities in the Mercer 2020 Cost of Living Ranking, having climbed by 44 positions from the 150th spot.
The Ukrainian capital city shares the 106th place with Hamburg (Germany) and Lisbon (Portugal), according to Mercer's 26th annual Cost of Living Survey.
The top five most expensive cities for emigrants include: Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China/HKSAR), Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), Tokyo (Japan), Zurich (Switzerland), and Singapore (Singapore).
Видео дня
Tunisia, Windhoek (Namibia), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Karachi (Pakistan) closed the ranking. When compiling the rating, Mercer took into account currency, cost inflation for goods and services, and instability of accommodation prices in cities.
Read alsoKyiv ranks 12th in TomTom's 2019 Traffic Index
As UNIAN reported earlier, Kyiv had climbed by 22 positions in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Worldwide Cost of Living 2020 ranking from the 133rd to the 86th spot, while the top position was shared by Singapore, Hong Kong, and Osaka.


unian--2020-06-09--Why Russia is afraid of Ukraine's Neptune missiles

Detailed test information is naturally classified .
We only know that in May , two Neptunes hit the target exactly 85 km and 110 km off Ukraine coast .
But it seems that Russia 's intelligence services already know more about Neptune than we think .
In early May , a Russian agent in Ukraine acquired from the Ukrainian military , who attended the Neptune tests part of the documentation on the new missile project .
The FSB is interested in the real engineering gem of the project – the cruise missile 's homing head .
Ukrainian officers convinced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more documents to get more money .
The bait worked .
In fact , we witnessed a Ukrainian counterintelligence undercover sting raid .
The military carried candid cameras on them .
As soon as the agent receives from them part of the documentation , security operatives nab him red-handed .
His name is Oleksandr Rushchak .
He has long got used to prison , having spent half of his life behind bars – that 's over 20 years – with short breaks of freedom .
`` I preach prisoner lifestyle .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he says .
He does n't look like a spy .
He claims he was only a courier .
He contacted the FSB handlers only by phone , he says , and sent them photos of documents .
He would then get the money from caches set up for him .
`` I got a call from a man named Valeriy who said he was with the FSB .
I was supposed to hand over the materials to that guy Valery , '' says Oleksandr Rushchak .
The Russian side seems to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have access to classified information about the Neptune project .
But how did they know ?
The Russians are doing everything possible and impossible to ensure that Neptune never deploys on combat duty .
They are looking for the weak point of a unique rocket .
But , as it turned out , it was Ukrainians who created the weakest spot of the Neptune project and the entire missile program .
The remnants of Soviet SS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles are stored at the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant .
It 's almost four dozen giant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel mixture .
Boogeyman stories from time to time emerge on social networks , trying to frighten Pavlohrad residents with these missiles , saying that because of them the city 's ecology is under constant threat .
But the first thing that TSN.Tyzhden saw at the plant premises was wild animals .
And they are just fine here .
A short trip to see former nuclear missiles is like an exotic safari , reporters say .
`` But what 's the connection between bison and missiles ?
These giants were not put here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental monitoring .
With the help of these animals , experts monitor pollution levels at the chemical plant , '' said TSN.Tyzhden 's special correspondent Andriy Tsaplienko .
It turns out that the old SS-24s are not some toxic waste , but a strategic resource .
Pavlohrad Chemical Plant is the only facility in the world where new rocket fuel is created from the old one – for new Ukrainian rockets and missiles .
And this is n't just fuel .
Neptune 's warhead is also an upgrade of the old ones .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only source of fuel and warheads for the entire Ukrainian missile program .
If this resource is gone , Ukraine will be left without Neptune .
`` It 's not only about Neptune… We would be left with nothing – without munitions , Vilkha , Neptune , and Typhoon , '' says CEO of SE Pavlohrad Chemical Plant , Leonid Shiman .
`` Vilkha-M '' is an MLR system that 's been converted into high-precision weaponry .
`` Typhoon '' is a new rocket to replace the obsolete `` Grad '' .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian `` Iskander '' , being able to fly 280 km , while changing velocity and trajectory .
At the same time , without own-made fuel , all these projects would die out .
But the missile program suffered a high-precision blow from those who were supposed to protect it – Ukrainian legislators .
In the fall of 2019 , the parliament , having approved the state budget , unexpectedly cut funding for the upgrade of the SS-24s .
These intercontinental nuclear missiles had been based in Ukraine in Soviet times before being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was no longer enough money even to maintain the Scalpels ( that 's their NATO codename ) .
Ukraine had to put on the back shelf the idea of upgrading them and , therefore , producing strategic fuel .
The Russians were about to pop champagne bottles as the entire Ukrainian missile program was on the verge of failure .
`` I do n't know if Russia could have meddled in this , but it would be truly beneficial for them .
I think they were very happy because the weaker we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the easier it is to talk to us – not only in Donbas or Minsk but also worldwide , `` says Leonid Szyman .
When TSN.Tyzhden was setting off to Pavlograd , the team had n't known yet that the national program in question has been rescued .
The government urgently found a way to finance it , vowing readiness to inject more than UAH 130 million .
So the missile program is back on track .
The company says Ukraine is now able to manufacture an intermediate range missile , precisely the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. anxious during the Cold War .
The Pavlograd Chemical Plant is convinced it will take 12 to 14 months to complete the project .
If the government has enough political courage to take such a step , Ukraine will , if necessary , be able to hit military targets 5,000 km beyond its borders .
That 's even beyond the Ural ridge in Russia , which is a great deterrent to keep a raging adversary off .
And Moscow 's attempts to stop this sudden U-turn only confirm that Ukraine 's strategy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missiles are more like weapons of strategic political influence .
These weapons may never be used , but their availability allows our political leaders to gain more space in decision-making and discussing certain issues at summits with other countries .
Ukraine will not be sitting somewhere in the backyard – it will sit at the same table with leaders , '' said Yevhen Ustymenko , technical director at the Pavlograd Chemical Plant .
In other words , it is easier to persuade the occupier to cease fire with a kind word and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word .
Such a path to peace is much shorter , global practice shows .

Neptune is a top-secret Ukrainian project that any NATO country could be proud of. It's a cruise anti-ship missile able to deter the Russian fleet in the Black or Azov Seas. Flying at the fighter jet speed at ultra-low altitudes, just a few meters above the sea surface, it's invisible to enemy radars.
Detailed test information is naturally classified. We only know that in May, two Neptunes hit the target exactly 85 km and 110 km off Ukraine coast. But it seems that Russia's intelligence services already know more about Neptune than we think.
In early May, a Russian agent in Ukraine acquired from the Ukrainian military, who attended the Neptune tests part of the documentation on the new missile project.
The FSB is interested in the real engineering gem of the project – the cruise missile's homing head.
Видео дня
Ukrainian officers convinced the Russian agent they were ready to sell more documents to get more money. The bait worked.
In fact, we witnessed a Ukrainian counterintelligence undercover sting raid. The military carried candid cameras on them. As soon as the agent receives from them part of the documentation, security operatives nab him red-handed.
His name is Oleksandr Rushchak. He has long got used to prison, having spent half of his life behind bars – that's over 20 years – with short breaks of freedom.
"I preach prisoner lifestyle. I'm neither for Ukraine nor for Russia," he says.
He doesn't look like a spy. He claims he was only a courier. He contacted the FSB handlers only by phone, he says, and sent them photos of documents. He would then get the money from caches set up for him.
"I got a call from a man named Valeriy who said he was with the FSB. I was supposed to hand over the materials to that guy Valery," says Oleksandr Rushchak.
The Russian side seems to have known in advance the servicemen who have access to classified information about the Neptune project. But how did they know?
The Russians are doing everything possible and impossible to ensure that Neptune never deploys on combat duty. They are looking for the weak point of a unique rocket. But, as it turned out, it was Ukrainians who created the weakest spot of the Neptune project and the entire missile program.
The remnants of Soviet SS-24 intercontinental ballistic missiles are stored at the Pavlohrad Chemical Plant. It's almost four dozen giant cylinders, each carrying 50 tonnes of fuel mixture. Boogeyman stories from time to time emerge on social networks, trying to frighten Pavlohrad residents with these missiles, saying that because of them the city's ecology is under constant threat. But the first thing that TSN.Tyzhden saw at the plant premises was wild animals. And they are just fine here. A short trip to see former nuclear missiles is like an exotic safari, reporters say.
"But what's the connection between bison and missiles? These giants were not put here for fun. They are part of environmental monitoring. With the help of these animals, experts monitor pollution levels at the chemical plant," said TSN.Tyzhden's special correspondent Andriy Tsaplienko.
It turns out that the old SS-24s are not some toxic waste, but a strategic resource. Pavlohrad Chemical Plant is the only facility in the world where new rocket fuel is created from the old one – for new Ukrainian rockets and missiles. And this isn't just fuel. Neptune's warhead is also an upgrade of the old ones. Therefore, these metal cigars are the only source of fuel and warheads for the entire Ukrainian missile program. If this resource is gone, Ukraine will be left without Neptune.
"It's not only about Neptune… We would be left with nothing – without munitions, Vilkha, Neptune, and Typhoon," says CEO of SE Pavlohrad Chemical Plant, Leonid Shiman.
"Vilkha-M" is an MLR system that's been converted into high-precision weaponry. "Typhoon" is a new rocket to replace the obsolete "Grad". "Hrim-2" is an analog of the Russian "Iskander", being able to fly 280 km, while changing velocity and trajectory. At the same time, without own-made fuel, all these projects would die out.
But the missile program suffered a high-precision blow from those who were supposed to protect it – Ukrainian legislators. In the fall of 2019, the parliament, having approved the state budget, unexpectedly cut funding for the upgrade of the SS-24s. These intercontinental nuclear missiles had been based in Ukraine in Soviet times before being pulled out of 46 launch mines. There was no longer enough money even to maintain the Scalpels (that's their NATO codename). Ukraine had to put on the back shelf the idea of upgrading them and, therefore, producing strategic fuel. The Russians were about to pop champagne bottles as the entire Ukrainian missile program was on the verge of failure.
"I don't know if Russia could have meddled in this, but it would be truly beneficial for them. I think they were very happy because the weaker we are in military prowess and armaments, the easier it is to talk to us – not only in Donbas or Minsk but also worldwide, "says Leonid Szyman.
When TSN.Tyzhden was setting off to Pavlograd, the team hadn't known yet that the national program in question has been rescued. The government urgently found a way to finance it, vowing readiness to inject more than UAH 130 million. So the missile program is back on track. The company says Ukraine is now able to manufacture an intermediate range missile, precisely the type the Soviets used to keep the U.S. anxious during the Cold War.
The Pavlograd Chemical Plant is convinced it will take 12 to 14 months to complete the project. If the government has enough political courage to take such a step, Ukraine will, if necessary, be able to hit military targets 5,000 km beyond its borders. That's even beyond the Ural ridge in Russia, which is a great deterrent to keep a raging adversary off. And Moscow's attempts to stop this sudden U-turn only confirm that Ukraine's strategy is legit.
"Small and intermediate-range missiles are more like weapons of strategic political influence. These weapons may never be used, but their availability allows our political leaders to gain more space in decision-making and discussing certain issues at summits with other countries. Ukraine will not be sitting somewhere in the backyard – it will sit at the same table with leaders," said Yevhen Ustymenko, technical director at the Pavlograd Chemical Plant.
In other words, it is easier to persuade the occupier to cease fire with a kind word and a high-precision missile than with just a kind word. Such a path to peace is much shorter, global practice shows.
Andriy Tsaplienko, Serhiy Shchekochykhin, Vitaliy Tkachuk


unian--2020-06-09--Interior Ministry asks for some US$97.7 mln in additional financing from COVID-19 fund – StateWatch

The ministry also requested US $ 6.4 million for bonuses to medics and other staff in its clinics .
The appeal submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs notes that `` funds in the amount of UAH 2.5 billion are planned to be used to pay a surcharge of up to 50 % of wages '' to border guards , National Guardsmen , and police .
Ukraine 's Ministry of Internal Affairs has asked the Cabinet of Ministers to allocate about UAH 2.6 billion ( US $ 97.7 million ) for additional payments to employees of its structures from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ addressed to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal , the ministry asks the Cabinet to provide said funds for bonuses to police , national guard officers , and border guards amid quarantine enforcement measures , according to Ukrainian NGO StateWatch .
Read alsoWorld Bank : COVID-19 to plunge global economy into worst recession since World War 2 '' Funds worth UAH 2.5 billion [ US $ 94 million ) are planned to be used for additional payments – of up to 50 % of salaries – to servicemen of the National Guard of Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and commanders of civil protection bodies , as well as police officers on duty , '' reads the letter of May 27 , referring to a Government Resolution .
Moreover , the ministry asked for UAH 171 million ( US $ 6.4 million ) in additional payments to healthcare workers and other staff providing assistance to COVID-19 patients in subordinated clinics .
Earlier , Ukraine 's State Management of Affairs asked Shmyhal to allocate UAH 23.4 million ( US $ 879,699 ) in additional aid to medical institutions for top officials , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counter the COVID-19 spread .

Interior Ministry asks for some US$97.7 mln in additional financing from COVID-19 fund – StateWatch
16:20, 09.06.20 1164
The ministry also requested US$6.4 million for bonuses to medics and other staff in its clinics.
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unian--2020-06-09--Poland transfers humanitarian aid to Ukrainian military doctors to fight off COVID-19

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Poland transfers humanitarian aid to Ukrainian military doctors to fight off COVID-19
16:00, 09.06.20 1895
The package is estimated at about UAH 500,000 (US$18,797).
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unian--2020-06-09--Ukrainian gas stocks grow by 2.4 % to almost 18.4 bcm over week

Ukrainian gas stocks grow by 2.4 % to almost 18.4 bcm over week
15:40, 09.06.20 1754
The USFs were filled by 59% as of June 7, 2020.
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unian--2020-06-10--Russian intelligence working to destabilize southern Ukraine – expert

An ad campaign has been launched across social networks , encouraging residents of southern Ukraine , especially the area of Bessarabia , to acquire Russian , Romanian , and Moldovan citizenship .
Russian intelligence efforts are aiming at destabilizing Ukraine 's southern regions , says Head of the Center for Defense Reforms , Oleksandr Danylyuk .
Locals are called for acquiring citizenship of neighboring states , which in turn creates prerequisites for the secession of a number of territories from Ukraine , Guildhall reports citing the expert .
`` As part of active measures aimed at destabilizing Ukraine and further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services have launched an ad campaign across social networks toward encouraging residents of southern Ukraine , especially Bessarabia , to obtain Russian , Romanian and Moldovan citizenship , '' Danylyuk said .
`` To this end , the Russians set up in Moldova a front organization , which consults and assists citizens of Ukraine in obtaining another citizenship .
Most likely , the operation will be accompanied by attempts to aggravate Ukrainian-Romanian relations , '' he said .
`` In 2014 , Russian intelligence agencies already made an attempt to set up a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the west of Odesa region , '' Danylyuk said .
`` As reported earlier , former MP and ex-member of the Yanukovych-era Party of Regions Anton Kisse was one of the promoters of a disinformation campaign targeting Bulgarian political elite on the alleged division of territories in Ukraine 's Odesa region where ethnic Bulgarians reside , which led to some tensions in Ukrainian-Bulgarian relations , '' Guildhall notes .
`` Earlier , Anton Kisse proposed to divide Odesa region , in fact creating the prerequisites for further intensification of activity of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republic , '' the report reads .

An ad campaign has been launched across social networks, encouraging residents of southern Ukraine, especially the area of Bessarabia, to acquire Russian, Romanian, and Moldovan citizenship.
Russian intelligence efforts are aiming at destabilizing Ukraine's southern regions, says Head of the Center for Defense Reforms, Oleksandr Danylyuk.
Locals are called for acquiring citizenship of neighboring states, which in turn creates prerequisites for the secession of a number of territories from Ukraine, Guildhall reports citing the expert.
"As part of active measures aimed at destabilizing Ukraine and further secession of its regions, Russian special services have launched an ad campaign across social networks toward encouraging residents of southern Ukraine, especially Bessarabia, to obtain Russian, Romanian and Moldovan citizenship," Danylyuk said.
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"To this end, the Russians set up in Moldova a front organization, which consults and assists citizens of Ukraine in obtaining another citizenship. Most likely, the operation will be accompanied by attempts to aggravate Ukrainian-Romanian relations," he said.
"In 2014, Russian intelligence agencies already made an attempt to set up a terrorist organization 'Bessarabian People's Republic' in the west of Odesa region," Danylyuk said.
Read alsoUkraine, Bulgaria find common language on national minority issue amid ongoing administrative reform
"As reported earlier, former MP and ex-member of the Yanukovych-era Party of Regions Anton Kisse was one of the promoters of a disinformation campaign targeting Bulgarian political elite on the alleged division of territories in Ukraine's Odesa region where ethnic Bulgarians reside, which led to some tensions in Ukrainian-Bulgarian relations," Guildhall notes.
"Earlier, Anton Kisse proposed to divide Odesa region, in fact creating the prerequisites for further intensification of activity of the illegal terrorist formation "Bessarabian People's Republic," the report reads.


unian--2020-06-10--Outrage as Danone ad features Russian actor who fired machine gun at Ukrainian troops in Donbas

Ukrainian security forces have long charged the Russian actor with terrorism after his controversial appearance in the Donbas warzone in 2014 .
Many Ukrainians shared their resentment across social networks after reports emerged claiming a French-based dairy giant Danone releasing a video commercial featuring Russian movie star Mikhail Porechenkov .
The thing is , Ukrainian security forces have long charged the Russian actor with terrorism after his controversial appearance in the Donbas warzone in 2014 .
A Russian propaganda video captured him shooting a massive Utious machine gun at the positions of Ukrainian troops defending the Donetsk airport before it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces .
An EU Observer author Roman Sohn echoed the outrage on Twitter : `` If a Western actor so much as makes a racist or xenophobic comment , it 's enough to end their career .
But if you 're a Russian who participated in a bloody war of aggression , you suffer no damage to your reputation or career .
In fact , it gets you hired by @ Danone . ''
Danone 's Ukraine office has commented on the reverberating issue , noting that they can not stand aside and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ however , that they exercise no control over the `` shaping of commercial , advertising , and communication policies in other countries , including in Russia '' .
The company 's local officers function independently , the statement adds , addressing challenges arising in the respective markers , `` driven by demand of local consumers '' .

Ukrainian security forces have long charged the Russian actor with terrorism after his controversial appearance in the Donbas warzone in 2014.
Many Ukrainians shared their resentment across social networks after reports emerged claiming a French-based dairy giant Danone released a video commercial featuring Russian movie star Mikhail Porechenkov.
The thing is, Ukrainian security forces have long charged the Russian actor with terrorism after his controversial appearance in the Donbas warzone in 2014.
A Russian propaganda video captured him shooting a massive Utious machine gun at the positions of Ukrainian troops defending the Donetsk airport before it was eventually destroyed and seized by Russian-controlled forces.
An EU Observer author Roman Sohn echoed the outrage on Twitter: "If a Western actor so much as makes a racist or xenophobic comment, it's enough to end their career. But if you're a Russian who participated in a bloody war of aggression, you suffer no damage to your reputation or career. In fact, it gets you hired by @Danone."
If a Western actor so much as makes a racist or xenophobic comment, it's enough to end their career. But if you're a Russian who participated in a bloody war of aggression, you suffer no damage to your reputation or career. In fact, it gets you hired by @Danone.#BoycottDanonehttps://t.co/z5lUMGJiNE — Roman Sohn (@RomanSohn) June 9, 2020
Danone's Ukraine office has commented on the reverberating issue, noting that they cannot stand aside and find the situation sad, adding, however, that they exercise no control over the "shaping of commercial, advertising, and communication policies in other countries, including in Russia". The company's local officers function independently, the statement adds, addressing challenges arising in the respective markers, "driven by demand of local consumers".


unian--2020-06-10--Poroshenko comments on charges pressed against him

The ex-president also stressed that the attempt to hand him a suspicion notice at the SBI HQ was wrongful .
Former Ukrainian President and leader of the European Solidarity parliamentary faction Petro has commented on the issue of appointing a deputy head of the Foreign Intelligence Service .
`` I acted in full accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine , '' he said outside the SBI HQ in Kyiv .
Poroshenko added that `` an attempt to serve the former president , incumbent MP with charge papers should be done exclusively by the prosecutor general . ''
As UNIAN reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ General of Ukraine handed Poroshenko a suspicion notice , charging him with issuing a `` criminal order '' during his cadence .
In turn , Poroshenko 's lawyer denied the handing of charge papers , claiming only a prosecutor general can serve them to a member of parliament .
Read alsoPoroshenko could be arrested over alleged issue of `` criminal order '' UNIAN memo .
Semochko served as First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Intelligence Service from July 31 , 2018 , to April 12 , 2019 .
Investigative journalists pointed to Semochko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members and that the aggressor state could have paid the official for certain information .
Nashi Groshi journalists found evidence that Semochko owns real estate worth over UAH 200 million ( US $ 7.5 million ) , while his family members , namely his common-law wife and her daughter , are Russian nationals running a business in the Russian-occupied Crimea .

The ex-president also stressed that the attempt to hand him a suspicion notice at the SBI HQ was wrongful.
Former Ukrainian President and leader of the European Solidarity parliamentary faction Petro has commented on the issue of appointing a deputy head of the Foreign Intelligence Service.
"I acted in full accordance with the Constitution of Ukraine," he said outside the SBI HQ in Kyiv.
Poroshenko added that "an attempt to serve the former president, incumbent MP with charge papers should be done exclusively by the prosecutor general."
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As UNIAN reported earlier, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine handed Poroshenko a suspicion notice, charging him with issuing a "criminal order" during his cadence. In turn, Poroshenko's lawyer denied the handing of charge papers, claiming only a prosecutor general can serve them to a member of parliament.
Read alsoPoroshenko could be arrested over alleged issue of "criminal order"
UNIAN memo. Semochko served as First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Intelligence Service from July 31, 2018, to April 12, 2019. Investigative journalists pointed to Semochko's alleged ties with Russia via his family members and that the aggressor state could have paid the official for certain information.
Nashi Groshi journalists found evidence that Semochko owns real estate worth over UAH 200 million (US$7.5 million), while his family members, namely his common-law wife and her daughter, are Russian nationals running a business in the Russian-occupied Crimea.


unian--2020-06-10--Russian invaders thwart reopening of crossing checkpoints in Donbas

Massive crowds have amassed outside the checkpoints .
Russian-controlled forces in Donbas have failed to reopen the entry and exit checkpoints Stanytsia Luhanska and Maryinka at the contact line in the conflict zone .
Massive crowds have amassed outside the checkpoints , a TSN journalist reported on June 10 as Ukraine authorities earlier announced the relaunch of checkpoints amid quarantine relaxation .
The Ukrainian military let the first car pass before it shortly drove back .
The driver said the invaders did not let him pass and neither did they explain the reason .
They noted , however , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , the man added .
People are not leaving the checkpoint , the reporter says , as they have been waiting for the reopening for several months , with some of them even living in their cars or in the homes of caring Ukrainians .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Ukraine announced the reopening of Stanytsia Luhanska and Maryinka checkpoints in Donbas amid quarantine relaxation .
Social distancing and mandated face masks are among the main requirements to be followed by those crossing .
Checkpoints in Donbas and at the de-facto border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-March amid quarantine .

Massive crowds have amassed outside the checkpoints.
Russian-controlled forces in Donbas have failed to reopen the entry and exit checkpoints Stanytsia Luhanska and Maryinka at the contact line in the conflict zone.
Massive crowds have amassed outside the checkpoints, a TSN journalist reported on June 10 as Ukraine authorities earlier announced the relaunch of checkpoints amid quarantine relaxation.
The Ukrainian military let the first car pass before it shortly drove back. The driver said the invaders did not let him pass and neither did they explain the reason. They noted, however, that they did not intend to let anyone in, the man added.
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Read alsoUkraine further easing quarantine restrictions from June 10
People are not leaving the checkpoint, the reporter says, as they have been waiting for the reopening for several months, with some of them even living in their cars or in the homes of caring Ukrainians.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Ukraine announced the reopening of Stanytsia Luhanska and Maryinka checkpoints in Donbas amid quarantine relaxation. Social distancing and mandated face masks are among the main requirements to be followed by those crossing.
Checkpoints in Donbas and at the de-facto border with occupied Crimea have been shut down in mid-March amid quarantine.


unian--2020-06-10--Health minister lists Ukrainian regions with most COVID-19 cases reported in past day

On June 10 , the number of confirmed cases grew to 28,381 in the past 24 hours .
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has listed three regions with the most confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in the past day .
`` In terms of the regions , the highest number of confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Volyn region ( 101 cases ) , Lviv region ( 78 ) , and the city of Kyiv ( 57 ) , '' he told a briefing on June 10 .
Overall incidence per region is as followes : 1,192 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) ; 1,214 in Volyn region ( 310 ) ; 973 in Dnipropetrovsk region ( 673 ) ; 246 in Donetsk region ( 121 ) ; 973 in Zhytomyr region ( 501 ) ; 1,448 in Zakarpattia region ( 628 ) ; 502 in Zaporizhia region ( 296 ) ; 1,622 in Ivano-Frankivsk region ( 992 ) ; 3,580 in the city of Kyiv ( 985 ) ; 1,865 in Kyiv region ( 595 ) ; 562 in Kirovohrad region ( 422 ) ; 54 in Luhansk region ( 43 ) ; 2,289 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 309 in Mykolayiv region ( 199 ) ; 1,028 in Odesa region ( 418 ) ; 276 in Poltava region ( 256 ) ; 2,122 in Rivne region ( 1,115 ) ; 198 in Sumy region ( 159 ) ; 1,313 in Ternopil region ( 987 ) ; 1,338 in Kharkiv region ( 626 ) ; 179 in Kherson region ( 172 ) ; 520 in Khmelnytsky region ( 348 ) ; 501 in Cherkasy region ( 346 ) ; 3,757 in Chernivtsi region ( 1,171 ) ; and 320 in Chernihiv region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier , there were 28,381 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 10 , including 833 COVID-19 deaths and 12,769 recoveries .
Some 525 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours .

On June 10, the number of confirmed cases grew to 28,381 in the past 24 hours.
Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov has listed three regions with the most confirmed COVID-19 cases reported in the past day.
"In terms of the regions, the highest number of confirmed cases in the past 24 hours was registered in Volyn region (101 cases), Lviv region (78), and the city of Kyiv (57)," he told a briefing on June 10.
Overall incidence per region is as followes: 1,192 cases in Vinnytsia region (767 recoveries); 1,214 in Volyn region (310); 973 in Dnipropetrovsk region (673); 246 in Donetsk region (121); 973 in Zhytomyr region (501); 1,448 in Zakarpattia region (628); 502 in Zaporizhia region (296); 1,622 in Ivano-Frankivsk region (992); 3,580 in the city of Kyiv (985); 1,865 in Kyiv region (595); 562 in Kirovohrad region (422); 54 in Luhansk region (43); 2,289 in Lviv region (557); 309 in Mykolaiv region (199); 1,028 in Odesa region (418); 276 in Poltava region (256); 2,122 in Rivne region (1,115); 198 in Sumy region (159); 1,313 in Ternopil region (987); 1,338 in Kharkiv region (626); 179 in Kherson region (172); 520 in Khmelnytsky region (348); 501 in Cherkasy region (346); 3,757 in Chernivtsi region (1,171); and 320 in Chernihiv region (81).
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Read alsoUkraine further easing quarantine restrictions from June 10
As UNIAN reported earlier, there were 28,381 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ukraine as of 09:00 Kyiv time on June 10, including 833 COVID-19 deaths and 12,769 recoveries. Some 525 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours.


unian--2020-06-10--Ukraine may get second tranche from IMF under new SBA in Sept – PM Shmyhal

The negotiations on this issue will take place in August .
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said Ukraine may @ @ @ @ @ US $ 700 million under an 18-month Stand-by Arrangement ( SBA ) with the International @ @ @ @ @ in early September .
`` The first tranche is US $ 2.1 billion , the @ @ @ @ @ billion until the end of this year .
Another negotiation will take place in August @ @ @ @ @ million is expected in early September , '' he told one of Ukrainian TV channels @ @ @ @ @ , the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday approved an 18-month Stand-by @ @ @ @ @ access equivalent to SDR 3.6 billion ( about US $ 5 billion , or 179 @ @ @ @ @ The first tranche of US $ 2.1 million is expected until late June .

Ukraine may get second tranche from IMF under new SBA in Sept – PM Shmyhal
14:00, 10.06.20 1242
The negotiations on this issue will take place in August.
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unian--2020-06-10--Poroshenko could be arrested over alleged issue of "criminal order"

The Pechersk district court is set to decide on the preventive measure to be applied .
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has handed down a suspicion notice to a former President of Ukraine , now MP Petro Poroshenko , charging him with issuing a `` criminal order '' during his cadence .
That 's according to the press service for the Office of the Prosecutor General .
`` The investigation says MP is suspected of persuading , while being President of Ukraine , a military official , the Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers by issuing a clearly criminal order , that is , intentionally committing during a special period acts , which obviously exceed the rights and powers granted to him ( Part 4 Article 27 , Part 4 Article 41 , and Part 4 Article 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine ) , '' the statement said .
Pre-trial investigation is carried out by investigators of the State Bureau of Investigation .
The issue is now being decided on taking the ex-president into custody as the preventive measure in the criminal proceeding .

The Pechersk district court is set to decide on the preventive measure to be applied.
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has handed down a suspicion notice to a former President of Ukraine, now MP Petro Poroshenko, charging him with issuing a "criminal order" during his cadence.
That's according to the press service for the Office of the Prosecutor General.
"The investigation says MP is suspected of persuading, while being President of Ukraine, a military official, the Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine, to act beyond his authority and official powers by issuing a clearly criminal order, that is, intentionally committing during a special period acts, which obviously exceed the rights and powers granted to him (Part 4 Article 27, Part 4 Article 41, and Part 4 Article 426-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)," the statement said.
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Read alsoUkraine's SBI serves Poroshenko with charge papers
Pre-trial investigation is carried out by investigators of the State Bureau of Investigation.
The issue is now being decided on taking the ex-president into custody as the preventive measure in the criminal proceeding.


unian--2020-06-10--Kyiv still not ready to ease quarantine

Kyiv still not ready to ease quarantine

Relevant indicators do not allow to transfer to the next stages of easing anti-epidemic measures .
The Kyiv City State Administration does not intend to relax the coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) quarantine from June 10 due to lack of required indicators to this end .
That is according to Minutes No .
40 of the June 9 emergency response staff meeting published on the administration 's website .
According to the document , as of 9:00 Kyiv time on June 9 , the incidence ( the average number of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past seven days per 100,000 population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ load related to COVID-19 is 50 % ; while the number of PCR and ELISA tests run 63.33 per 100,000 population over the past seven days .
Thus , the indicators set out in paragraph 4 of Cabinet Resolution No .
392 `` do not allow to shift to the next stages of easing anti-epidemic measures , '' reads the minutes .
As UNIAN reported , Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov on June 10 named regions with the highest number of confirmed cases in the past 24 hours , that is Volyn region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 78 ) , and the city of Kyiv ( 57 ) .
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko told the June 5 online briefing that catering establishments and swimming pools would not reopen in the city so far , as Kyiv failed to meet the criteria for relaxing anti-epidemic measures .
He added that the city 's commission on emergency situations would consider the issue the following week .

Relevant indicators do not allow to transfer to the next stages of easing anti-epidemic measures.
The Kyiv City State Administration does not intend to relax the coronavirus (COVID-19) quarantine from June 10 due to lack of required indicators to this end.
That is according to Minutes No. 40 of the June 9 emergency response staff meeting published on the administration's website.
According to the document, as of 9:00 Kyiv time on June 9, the incidence (the average number of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past seven days per 100,000 population) is 15.23 per 100,000; hospital load related to COVID-19 is 50%; while the number of PCR and ELISA tests run 63.33 per 100,000 population over the past seven days.
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Read alsoUkraine further easing quarantine restrictions from June 10
Thus, the indicators set out in paragraph 4 of Cabinet Resolution No. 392 "do not allow to shift to the next stages of easing anti-epidemic measures," reads the minutes.
As UNIAN reported, Ukrainian Health Minister Maksym Stepanov on June 10 named regions with the highest number of confirmed cases in the past 24 hours, that is Volyn region (101 cases), Lviv region (78), and the city of Kyiv (57).
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko told the June 5 online briefing that catering establishments and swimming pools would not reopen in the city so far, as Kyiv failed to meet the criteria for relaxing anti-epidemic measures. He added that the city's commission on emergency situations would consider the issue the following week.


unian--2020-06-10--SBI set to file to court motion to select preventive measure for ex-president Poroshenko

Poroshenko earlier today refused to receive from an SBI detective a suspicion notice which the lawyer says must be handed @ @ @ @ @ .
Head of the Second Department of the State Bureau of Investigation ( SBI ) @ @ @ @ @ said the motion for selecting a preventive measure against former Ukrainian President and leader of @ @ @ @ @ Petro Poroshenko will be filed with Kyiv 's Pechersky district court .
He told journalists @ @ @ @ @ a suspicion notice , which was recorded on video , an UNIAN correspondent reports .
@ @ @ @ @ issue of applying a preventive measure to the suspect .
The relevant petition will be @ @ @ @ @ district court , '' he said .
He added that the investigative actions were being @ @ @ @ @ in coordination with the Office of the Prosecutor General .
As UNIAN reported earlier , @ @ @ @ @ Poroshenko with charge papers in the case of the allegedly wrongful appointment of deputy chief @ @ @ @ @ .

Poroshenko earlier today refused to receive from an SBI detective a suspicion notice which the lawyer says must be handed by the prosecutor general personally.
Head of the Second Department of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) of Ukraine Vadym Pryimachok has said the motion for selecting a preventive measure against former Ukrainian President and leader of the European Solidarity parliamentary faction Petro Poroshenko will be filed with Kyiv's Pechersky district court.
He told journalists Poroshenko had refused to receive a suspicion notice, which was recorded on video, an UNIAN correspondent reports.
"Investigators are resolving the issue of applying a preventive measure to the suspect. The relevant petition will be sent to Kyiv's Pechersky district court," he said.
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Read alsoUkraine's SBI serves Poroshenko with charge papers
He added that the investigative actions were being carried out by SBI operatives in coordination with the Office of the Prosecutor General.
As UNIAN reported earlier, prosecutors of the SBI served Poroshenko with charge papers in the case of the allegedly wrongful appointment of deputy chief of foreign intelligence Serhiy Semochko.


unian--2020-06-10--IMF worsens economic outlook for Ukraine in 2020

According to the Fund , the Ukrainian GDP will start growing again in 2021 .
The International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) has worsened the outlook for Ukraine 's economy in 2020 .
In particular , the GDP will drop from 7.7 % to 8.2 % as was predicted in April , the IMF said in a press release on June 9 , 2020 .
According to the Fund , the Ukrainian GDP will start growing again in 2021 .
In particular , it will grow by 1.1 % in 2021 , and by 3 % in 2022 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand by 8.6 % in 2020 with its growing by 2.7 % in 2021 , and by 4.3 % in 2022 .
Read alsoUkraine to get first tranche from IMF under new SBA until late June , PM says According to the IMF outlook , consumer prices in Ukraine will amount to 4.5 % in 2020 , 7.2 % in 2021 , and 5.6 % in 2022 .
In addition , the Fund predicts that unemployment rate will be 12.6 % in 2020 , 12 % in 2021 , and 11.5 % in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday approved an 18-month Stand-by Arrangement for Ukraine , with access equivalent to SDR 3.6 billion ( about US $ 5 billion , or 179 % of quota ) .

According to the Fund, the Ukrainian GDP will start growing again in 2021.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has worsened the outlook for Ukraine's economy in 2020.
In particular, the GDP will drop from 7.7% to 8.2% as was predicted in April, the IMF said in a press release on June 9, 2020.
According to the Fund, the Ukrainian GDP will start growing again in 2021. In particular, it will grow by 1.1% in 2021, and by 3% in 2022.
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The Fund also predicts a drop in domestic demand by 8.6% in 2020 with its growing by 2.7% in 2021, and by 4.3% in 2022.
Read alsoUkraine to get first tranche from IMF under new SBA until late June, PM says
According to the IMF outlook, consumer prices in Ukraine will amount to 4.5% in 2020, 7.2% in 2021, and 5.6% in 2022.
In addition, the Fund predicts that unemployment rate will be 12.6% in 2020, 12% in 2021, and 11.5% in 2022.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund on Tuesday approved an 18-month Stand-by Arrangement for Ukraine, with access equivalent to SDR 3.6 billion (about US$5 billion, or 179% of quota).