unian--2020-02-29--Ukraine may seek other countries' help with further evacuation of its citizens from China – Prystaik

Ukraine may seek other countries' help with further evacuation of its citizens from China – Prystaiko

Ukraine may ask other countries to help with the further evacuation of its citizens from China 's Wuhan amid the coronavirus outbreak .
`` In fact , we 're not planning any [ new ] operation to evacuate [ Ukrainians from any country ] except for the People 's Republic of China , where the first cases were registered , '' Ukraine 's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko said on TV Ukraine 24 , according to the news outlet Hromadske.Radio .
`` The only thing we plan is the additional evacuation of those citizens who remain in Wuhan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to pick them up from there .
We have different options .
Seeking assistance from other countries looks most expedient right now . ''
He recalled Ukraine had helped other countries with the evacuation of their citizens .
`` We hope they will also help us with the evacuation of our citizens in response – there are not so many left ... We now have a European country that offers to bring our citizens from Wuhan ... We are , in principle , ready to do this in the coming days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that Ukraine had no plans to close its border over the global spread of the new coronavirus .
As UNIAN reported earlier , a plane on February 20 evacuated 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreigners , including those from Argentina , the Dominican Republic , Ecuador , El Salvador , Costa Rica , Israel , Montenegro , Panama , amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus in China 's Wuhan .
The evacuees were placed at a health center in the town of Novi Sanzhary in Ukraine 's Poltava region for 14-day observation @

A European country offers its assistance.
Ukraine may ask other countries to help with the further evacuation of its citizens from China's Wuhan amid the coronavirus outbreak.
"In fact, we're not planning any [new] operation to evacuate [Ukrainians from any country] except for the People's Republic of China, where the first cases were registered," Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko said on TV Ukraine 24, according to the news outlet Hromadske.Radio. "The only thing we plan is the additional evacuation of those citizens who remain in Wuhan, and we're mulling over the ways how to pick them up from there. We have different options. Seeking assistance from other countries looks most expedient right now."
Read alsoWorld Health Organization upgrades global coronavirus risk to "very high" (Video)
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He recalled Ukraine had helped other countries with the evacuation of their citizens.
"We hope they will also help us with the evacuation of our citizens in response – there are not so many left ... We now have a European country that offers to bring our citizens from Wuhan ... We are, in principle, ready to do this in the coming days," he said.
Earlier, he said that Ukraine had no plans to close its border over the global spread of the new coronavirus.
As UNIAN reported earlier, a plane on February 20 evacuated 45 Ukrainians and 27 foreigners, including those from Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Israel, Montenegro, Panama, amid the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus in China's Wuhan. The evacuees were placed at a health center in the town of Novi Sanzhary in Ukraine's Poltava region for 14-day observation.


unian--2020-02-28--Ukraine's budget falls short of US$1 bln in excise payments because of shadow fuel market

The Accounting Chamber makes every effort so that the state receives taxes in full .
Ukraine 's national budget fell of UAH 25 billion , or US $ 1.02 billion in excise payments in the past two years because of the shadow market of petrol and diesel fuel .
`` Shadow operations account for a quarter of Ukraine 's official GDP , or UAH 846 billion [ US $ 34.4 billion ] , '' Chairman of the Accounting Chamber Valeriy Patskan said on Facebook .
`` These are figures of a study conducted by the NBU [ Ukraine 's Central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a significant part of the shadow economy , UAH 702 billion [ US $ 28.6 billion ] , was generated in cash .
According to the results of an audit to study the effectiveness of administering state budget revenue from the sale of fuel , our auditors revealed that in the two years , the 'shadow ' petrol and diesel fuel market could reach 4.6 million tonnes , and the budget did not receive excise tax worth UAH 25 billion . ''
Read alsoAll shadow markets to be liquidated in Ukraine – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake of the audit , the Accounting Chamber provided recommendations to the Fiscal Service regarding the improvement of their work in administering that type of excise tax , which resulted in the introduction of appropriate amendments to the Tax Code .
In addition , according to Patskan , his agency last year conducted an audit to trace the collection of excise taxes on tobacco , which revealed a shortfall of the state budget in 2018 estimated at about UAH 2 billion ( US $ 81.4 million ) due to a significant share of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` According to our experts , the introduction of the Electronic Excise Stamp automated system for controlling the circulation of excisable goods ( alcoholic beverages and tobacco products ) can change the situation , '' he said .
The experts say that the share of the shadow economy in Germany is 14 % , in France 11 % , and in Switzerland 8 % .
`` Ukraine should reach the level of developed countries .
To do this , a number of measures should be taken , in particular , to combat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And the Accounting Chamber makes every effort so that state funds are not siphoned into dishonest entities ' pockets , and the state receives taxes in full , '' he said .

Ukraine's budget falls short of US$1 bln in excise payments because of shadow fuel market
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The Accounting Chamber makes every effort so that the state receives taxes in full.
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unian--2020-02-28--G7 Ambassadors meet with Ukrainian experts to discuss local bill on disinformation

Possible approaches to combating the serious problem of disinformation were discussed .
G7 Ambassadors , namely those of the United States , the United Kingdom , Canada , France , Italy , Germany , and Japan , have met with Ukrainian experts to discuss a Ukrainian bill on disinformation .
`` G7 Ambassadors heard local experts ' perspectives and concerns on draft disinformation legislation and discussed the challenges and possible approaches to combating the serious problem of disinformation while preserving freedom of speech , '' the Twitter account of the U.S. Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors ' Support Group in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alsoOSCE concerned over Ukraine 's new draft law on disinformation As UNIAN reported earlier , OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir said late in January 2020 that he was concerned over several provisions in Ukraine 's new draft law on disinformation .
On January 20 , the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture , Youth and Sports put forward a draft law on amendments to certain legal acts of Ukraine aimed to provide national information security and right to access to truthful information .
According to the draft law , which aims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to hold a professional press card delivered by a new organization ( the Association of Professional Journalists of Ukraine ) established by law and shaped by the state .
In addition , media content will be monitored by a state-appointed Special Commissioner , who would be entitled to identify disinformation and initiate various sanctions , including fines and block of online media .
The draft law also envisages various criminal charges , with sanctions from hefty fines to prison sentence of up to seven years .
The bill is expected to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parliament after discussion by the public .

Possible approaches to combating the serious problem of disinformation were discussed.
G7 Ambassadors, namely those of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, and Japan, have met with Ukrainian experts to discuss a Ukrainian bill on disinformation.
"G7 Ambassadors heard local experts' perspectives and concerns on draft disinformation legislation and discussed the challenges and possible approaches to combating the serious problem of disinformation while preserving freedom of speech," the Twitter account of the U.S. Presidency of the G7 Ambassadors' Support Group in Kyiv said on February 28.
Read alsoOSCE concerned over Ukraine's new draft law on disinformation
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As UNIAN reported earlier, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir said late in January 2020 that he was concerned over several provisions in Ukraine's new draft law on disinformation.
On January 20, the Ukrainian Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports put forward a draft law on amendments to certain legal acts of Ukraine aimed to provide national information security and right to access to truthful information. According to the draft law, which aims to combat disinformation, journalists would be required to hold a professional press card delivered by a new organization (the Association of Professional Journalists of Ukraine) established by law and shaped by the state. In addition, media content will be monitored by a state-appointed Special Commissioner, who would be entitled to identify disinformation and initiate various sanctions, including fines and block of online media. The draft law also envisages various criminal charges, with sanctions from hefty fines to prison sentence of up to seven years.
The bill is expected to be sent for consideration by the government and the parliament after discussion by the public.


unian--2020-02-28--Ukraine pledges help for airline compensation for Iran plane crash victims – media

Ukraine 's government sees no obstacles to the airline meeting its international legal obligations to compensate families .
Ukraine 's ambassador to Canada says his government will help Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne secure compensation from Ukraine International Airlines for the families of all those killed on Flight 752 , including 57 Canadians .
Champagne is in Kyiv next week for a meeting with the airline 's chief , where he will try to speed up delivery of the compensation it must pay under international aviation law to the victims ' families , The National Post said .
Read alsoUkraine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about why Iran downed Ukrainian plane – NSDC Envoy Andriy Shevchenko says his government sees no obstacles to the airline meeting its international legal obligations to compensate families .
Shevchenko also says Champagne and his Ukrainian counterpart will be joined via teleconference by the foreign ministers of Sweden , Britain and Germany for a separate meeting about pursuing compensation from Iran .
Those countries all lost citizens in last month 's shootdown of the passenger jet by the Iranian military .
Shevchenko says the Ukrainian airline will also be seeking compensation from Iran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who died in the crash .

Ukraine's government sees no obstacles to the airline meeting its international legal obligations to compensate families.
Ukraine's ambassador to Canada says his government will help Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne secure compensation from Ukraine International Airlines for the families of all those killed on Flight 752, including 57 Canadians.
Champagne is in Kyiv next week for a meeting with the airline's chief, where he will try to speed up delivery of the compensation it must pay under international aviation law to the victims' families, The National Post said.
Read alsoUkraine works on three "classified theories" about why Iran downed Ukrainian plane – NSDC
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Envoy Andriy Shevchenko says his government sees no obstacles to the airline meeting its international legal obligations to compensate families.
Shevchenko also says Champagne and his Ukrainian counterpart will be joined via teleconference by the foreign ministers of Sweden, Britain and Germany for a separate meeting about pursuing compensation from Iran.
Those countries all lost citizens in last month's shootdown of the passenger jet by the Iranian military.
Shevchenko says the Ukrainian airline will also be seeking compensation from Iran for the families of its own citizens who died in the crash.


unian--2020-02-28--Ukraine's parliament speaker calls special plenary meeting at Zelensky's request

The meeting is to be held on Wednesday , March 4 .
Speaker of Ukraine 's parliament Dmytro Razumkov is calling a special plenary meeting at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's request .
`` As is foreseen in a February 28 , 2020 , resolution of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine , the meeting is to be held as requested by the President of Ukraine to convene an extraordinary plenary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada of the ninth convocation and in accordance with Part 8 of Article 19 of the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's website says .
Read alsoParliament speaker Razumkov : Farmland bill not yet on agenda of plenary session The plenary meeting will begin at 16:00 Kyiv time on March 4 .
The parliament 's office was instructed to ensure preparations for the plenary meeting on March 4 and to inform lawmakers on the agenda .
As was reported , the period from March 2 to March 6 is a plenary week in parliament .
On Wednesday , March 4 , lawmakers should work only in the morning until 14:00 Kyiv time , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the parliament 's committees .
The President 's Office said that the special meeting would consider a number of bills and hear a report on law enforcement agencies ' performance .
Zelensky sent a letter to Razumkov demanding that lawmakers gather for an extraordinary parliamentary meeting .
`` The head of state has asked to include the consideration of several draft laws regarding the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in the agenda of the meeting , '' the presidential office said .

The meeting is to be held on Wednesday, March 4.
Speaker of Ukraine's parliament Dmytro Razumkov is calling a special plenary meeting at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request.
"As is foreseen in a February 28, 2020, resolution of the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the meeting is to be held as requested by the President of Ukraine to convene an extraordinary plenary meeting of the Verkhovna Rada of the ninth convocation and in accordance with Part 8 of Article 19 of the Rules of Procedure of the Verkhovna Rada," an announcement on the parliament's website says.
Read alsoParliament speaker Razumkov: Farmland bill not yet on agenda of plenary session
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The plenary meeting will begin at 16:00 Kyiv time on March 4.
The parliament's office was instructed to ensure preparations for the plenary meeting on March 4 and to inform lawmakers on the agenda.
As was reported, the period from March 2 to March 6 is a plenary week in parliament. On Wednesday, March 4, lawmakers should work only in the morning until 14:00 Kyiv time, and then they were expected to work in the parliament's committees.
The President's Office said that the special meeting would consider a number of bills and hear a report on law enforcement agencies' performance.
Zelensky sent a letter to Razumkov demanding that lawmakers gather for an extraordinary parliamentary meeting. "The head of state has asked to include the consideration of several draft laws regarding the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine in the agenda of the meeting," the presidential office said.


unian--2020-02-28--RFE/RL: Bulgaria tightens control on Turkey border to prevent migrant inflow

Borisov said he was arranging a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the matter .
Bulgaria says it is tightening security along its border with Turkey to prevent an inflow of illegal migrants amid reports that Ankara may be relaxing its border controls to allow Syrian refugees to enter the European Union .
`` Forces have already been deployed at the border and measures to protect the maritime border have been intensified , '' Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said on February 28 during a government meeting , Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop Syrian refugees reaching Europe after troops killed – Reuters Amid an escalation of the Syrian conflict , Turkish media reported that hundreds of migrants were flocking to Turkey 's borders with Greece and Bulgaria after a senior official was quoted as saying Ankara had decided `` not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe . ''
Police , coast-guard , and border-security officials were ordered to stand down on refugees ' land and sea crossings toward Europe , the unidentified Turkish official told Reuters .
Bulgarian Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov said Sofia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troops and 140 pieces of military equipment to the border with Turkey to prevent illegal migrant inflows .
Border police had prevented two groups of about 30 people from entering the country from Turkey , according to his ministry .
Borisov said he was arranging a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the matter .

Borisov said he was arranging a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the matter.
Bulgaria says it is tightening security along its border with Turkey to prevent an inflow of illegal migrants amid reports that Ankara may be relaxing its border controls to allow Syrian refugees to enter the European Union.
"Forces have already been deployed at the border and measures to protect the maritime border have been intensified," Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said on February 28 during a government meeting, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said.
Read alsoTurkey says will not stop Syrian refugees reaching Europe after troops killed – Reuters
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Amid an escalation of the Syrian conflict, Turkish media reported that hundreds of migrants were flocking to Turkey's borders with Greece and Bulgaria after a senior official was quoted as saying Ankara had decided "not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe."
Police, coast-guard, and border-security officials were ordered to stand down on refugees' land and sea crossings toward Europe, the unidentified Turkish official told Reuters.
Bulgarian Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov said Sofia was ready to deploy up to 1,000 troops and 140 pieces of military equipment to the border with Turkey to prevent illegal migrant inflows.
Border police had prevented two groups of about 30 people from entering the country from Turkey, according to his ministry.
Borisov said he was arranging a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the matter.


unian--2020-02-28--Zelensky, Ukraine media groups agree to launch non-coded satellite versions of major TV channels

Many Ukrainians had no access to 20 major TV channels after their satellite signal was coded on January 29 .
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and top managers of major Ukrainian media groups have met to agree on the launch of non-coded satellite versions of major Ukrainian TV channels by March 16 .
`` Participants in the meeting discussed problems of television broadcasting , which arose after the beginning of the coding by four media groups of the satellite signal of their TV channels from January 29 this year pursuant to the decision of 2017 , '' the presidential press service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the business of media groups , but also the strategic protection of information security of Ukraine , Zelensky said .
Due to signal coding , not all Ukrainians can freely watch more than 20 major TV channels .
`` We have thousands of letters and calls to the President 's Office claiming that Ukrainians can not receive this signal due to coding and can not watch Ukrainian TV channels .
This is especially topical for the region along the contact line and the temporarily occupied territories , '' he said .
According to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become an alternative there as a result .
`` We came there and saw that Russian radio and television broadcasting is carried out not only in the temporarily occupied territories .
It has a very powerful signal in the controlled areas as well .
In addition , they then 'silenced ' our signal with military equipment .
And now , it seems to me , they do not even need to use the technical means and money to silence – you have switched yourself off , '' he said .
Zelensky noted that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSDC ) of Ukraine has authority to introduce a moratorium on the coding of satellite TV channels , but it would not solve the whole spectrum of problems .
`` We want to find a way out of this situation now .
We have a very simple task : to provide an opportunity for people to watch Ukrainian television , especially in those territories to which we have solely information access now , '' he said .
To address the issue of Ukrainians ' access to information in a comprehensive way , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take steps to change signal modulation by March 4 , 2020 .
This will expand coverage of digital television across the state and facilitate public access to television .
Also , by May 1 , 2020 , ZEONBUD should ensure the installation of digital transmitters in 47 settlements of Ukraine in accordance with previously undertaken commitments .
In addition , the operator must upgrade the existing antenna feed systems for all border areas .
At the same time , the Ukrainian president and representatives of the media groups agreed to ensure the launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nationwide TV channels by March 16 , 2020 and thus make television accessible to Ukrainian citizens again .
`` We really want this to be an international version .
We urge you for this to be a balanced international version with top-priority content , '' Zelensky stressed .
In addition , satellite broadcasters Xtra TV and Viasat should develop social satellite TV packages with a minimum subscription fee for low-income social groups .
This will allow such citizens to watch encoded TV channels .
The participants in the meeting agreed to involve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media groups to combat copyright infringement .
Zelensky also commissioned the NSDC Secretary to monitor the implementation of the agreements .

Many Ukrainians had no access to 20 major TV channels after their satellite signal was coded on January 29.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and top managers of major Ukrainian media groups have met to agree on the launch of non-coded satellite versions of major Ukrainian TV channels by March 16.
"Participants in the meeting discussed problems of television broadcasting, which arose after the beginning of the coding by four media groups of the satellite signal of their TV channels from January 29 this year pursuant to the decision of 2017," the presidential press service said.
This issue concerns not only the business of media groups, but also the strategic protection of information security of Ukraine, Zelensky said. Due to signal coding, not all Ukrainians can freely watch more than 20 major TV channels.
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Read alsoRFE/RL: Ukraine's Crimean Tatar TV asks EU for money to stay afloat
"We have thousands of letters and calls to the President's Office claiming that Ukrainians cannot receive this signal due to coding and cannot watch Ukrainian TV channels. This is especially topical for the region along the contact line and the temporarily occupied territories," he said.
According to him, thus, Russian television has become an alternative there as a result.
"We came there and saw that Russian radio and television broadcasting is carried out not only in the temporarily occupied territories. It has a very powerful signal in the controlled areas as well. In addition, they then 'silenced' our signal with military equipment. And now, it seems to me, they do not even need to use the technical means and money to silence – you have switched yourself off," he said.
Zelensky noted that the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine has authority to introduce a moratorium on the coding of satellite TV channels, but it would not solve the whole spectrum of problems.
"We want to find a way out of this situation now. We have a very simple task: to provide an opportunity for people to watch Ukrainian television, especially in those territories to which we have solely information access now," he said.
To address the issue of Ukrainians' access to information in a comprehensive way, the president suggested that ZEONBUD digital television provider take steps to change signal modulation by March 4, 2020. This will expand coverage of digital television across the state and facilitate public access to television.
Also, by May 1, 2020, ZEONBUD should ensure the installation of digital transmitters in 47 settlements of Ukraine in accordance with previously undertaken commitments. In addition, the operator must upgrade the existing antenna feed systems for all border areas.
At the same time, the Ukrainian president and representatives of the media groups agreed to ensure the launch of non-coded satellite international versions of their nationwide TV channels by March 16, 2020 and thus make television accessible to Ukrainian citizens again.
"We really want this to be an international version. We urge you for this to be a balanced international version with top-priority content," Zelensky stressed.
In addition, satellite broadcasters Xtra TV and Viasat should develop social satellite TV packages with a minimum subscription fee for low-income social groups. This will allow such citizens to watch encoded TV channels.
The participants in the meeting agreed to involve the NSDC in the coordination of efforts with media groups to combat copyright infringement.
Zelensky also commissioned the NSDC Secretary to monitor the implementation of the agreements.


unian--2020-03-01--One killed, four injured as Russia-led forces strike Ukraine military truck with anti-tank guided mi

One killed, four injured as Russia-led forces strike Ukraine military truck with anti-tank guided missile

The truck was en route to deliver foodstuffs to Ukrainian soldiers .
One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four were injured as Russia-led forces struck a Ukrainian military truck , using an anti-tank guided missile on Sunday , March 1 .
The truck was en route to deliver foodstuffs to Ukrainian soldiers deployed near the village of Nyzhnioteple , Luhansk region , the press center of the Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) said on Facebook in an evening update on March 1 .
`` One member of the Joint Forces was killed , another four were injured .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals and provided qualified medical care , '' it said .
`` Given that the distance to the Ukrainian military vehicle was about 3,500 meters , it is likely that the strike had been made by a trained Russian serviceman rather than by a civilian-turned operator who has undergone brief training , '' it said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Russia-led forces in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , mounted 19 attacks on Ukrainian positions on February 29 , as a result of which two members of Ukraine 's Joint Forces ( JFO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another one sustained combat-related injuries .

The truck was en route to deliver foodstuffs to Ukrainian soldiers.
One Ukrainian serviceman was killed and four were injured as Russia-led forces struck a Ukrainian military truck, using an anti-tank guided missile on Sunday, March 1.
The truck was en route to deliver foodstuffs to Ukrainian soldiers deployed near the village of Nyzhnioteple, Luhansk region, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said on Facebook in an evening update on March 1.
Read alsoRussia-led forces' Feb casualties in Donbas include 38 dead and 44 wounded soldiers – Ukraine's JFO
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"One member of the Joint Forces was killed, another four were injured. All injured Ukrainian servicemen were promptly taken to hospitals and provided qualified medical care," it said.
"Given that the distance to the Ukrainian military vehicle was about 3,500 meters, it is likely that the strike had been made by a trained Russian serviceman rather than by a civilian-turned operator who has undergone brief training," it said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia-led forces in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, mounted 19 attacks on Ukrainian positions on February 29, as a result of which two members of Ukraine's Joint Forces (JFO) were wounded in action, and another one sustained combat-related injuries.


unian--2020-03-01--DW: Turkey launches 'fresh' military operation in Idlib as tensions mount

Violence between the two sides erupted days earlier when Syrian airstrikes killed 34 Turkish soldiers in the province of Idlib .
Turkey said Sunday it has `` successfully '' continued its military operation against the Syrian regime in northwest Syria .
The announcement comes as the Russian-backed Syrian military closed its airspace in flashpoint areas , as tensions rise with neighboring Turkey , which supports rebels groups in the region , Deutsche Welle said on Sunday .
Read alsoRussia should stay out of Turkey 's fight against Assad regime , Erdoğan tells Putin – media '' We do n't have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia , '' Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Sunday , marking the first time Ankara has confirmed a full and continuing operation .
Violence between the two sides erupted days earlier when Syrian airstrikes killed 34 Turkish soldiers in the province of Idlib .
Turkey retaliated with deadly airstrikes targeting regime forces .
Syrian state media said that Turkish forces shot down two Syrian jets on Sunday , but the pilots ejected with parachutes .
Earlier Turkish media claimed that one jet was shot down .
The Syrian army earlier said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the town of Saraqeb .

Violence between the two sides erupted days earlier when Syrian airstrikes killed 34 Turkish soldiers in the province of Idlib.
Turkey said Sunday it has "successfully" continued its military operation against the Syrian regime in northwest Syria.
The announcement comes as the Russian-backed Syrian military closed its airspace in flashpoint areas, as tensions rise with neighboring Turkey, which supports rebels groups in the region, Deutsche Welle said on Sunday.
Read alsoRussia should stay out of Turkey's fight against Assad regime, Erdoğan tells Putin – media
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"We don't have the desire or intention to clash with Russia," Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Sunday, marking the first time Ankara has confirmed a full and continuing operation.
Violence between the two sides erupted days earlier when Syrian airstrikes killed 34 Turkish soldiers in the province of Idlib. Turkey retaliated with deadly airstrikes targeting regime forces.
Syrian state media said that Turkish forces shot down two Syrian jets on Sunday, but the pilots ejected with parachutes. Earlier Turkish media claimed that one jet was shot down.
The Syrian army earlier said it had downed a Turkish drone over the town of Saraqeb.


unian--2020-03-01--Zelensky's chief of staff Yermak meets Russian counterpart Kozak to discuss prisoner swap

The parties discussed issues related to the mutual release of detainees in the all-for-all format .
Andriy Yermak , Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 's chief of staff , has met with deputy head of Russian President Vladimir Putin 's Administration Dmitry Kozak in Minsk , Belarus , to discuss a swap of prisoners in the all-for-all format .
Representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations also took part in the negotiations , the Ukrainian president 's press service said on Facebook .
Read alsoMFA Prystaiko : Ukraine in wait for next prisoner swap with Russia '' During the meeting , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mutual release of detainees in the all-for-all format , as was agreed by the Normandy Four leaders at the summit in Paris in December 2019 , '' it said .
Yermak `` mentioned the intention to conduct the next round of the exchange in March , '' it said .
The participants in meeting also stressed the need to continue the negotiations to fully implement the agreements reached during the Paris summit .
As UNIAN reported earlier , Zelensky said the Ukrainian authorities were making every effort to ensure that the next Normandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
However , Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said that the summit might not be held in April , as previously planned .
Russia 's officials , in turn , said it depended on progress to be made in implementing the current agreements .

The parties discussed issues related to the mutual release of detainees in the all-for-all format.
Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, has met with deputy head of Russian President Vladimir Putin's Administration Dmitry Kozak in Minsk, Belarus, to discuss a swap of prisoners in the all-for-all format.
Representatives of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations also took part in the negotiations, the Ukrainian president's press service said on Facebook.
Read alsoMFA Prystaiko: Ukraine in wait for next prisoner swap with Russia
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"During the meeting, the parties discussed issues related to the mutual release of detainees in the all-for-all format, as was agreed by the Normandy Four leaders at the summit in Paris in December 2019," it said.
Yermak "mentioned the intention to conduct the next round of the exchange in March," it said.
The participants in meeting also stressed the need to continue the negotiations to fully implement the agreements reached during the Paris summit.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Zelensky said the Ukrainian authorities were making every effort to ensure that the next Normandy meeting could take place in April this year. However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko said that the summit might not be held in April, as previously planned.
Russia's officials, in turn, said it depended on progress to be made in implementing the current agreements.


unian--2020-03-01--Russia-led forces' Feb casualties in Donbas include 38 dead and 44 wounded soldiers – Ukraine's JFO

The enemy lost five units of military hardware last month .
Russia-led forces ' casualties in Donbas , eastern Ukraine @ @ @ @ @ 38 dead soldiers , while 44 were wounded .
The figures were reported by the @ @ @ @ @ Forces Operation ( JFO ) on March 1 .
Read alsoDonbas war escalation : Almost @ @ @ @ @ Ukraine soldiers wounded on Feb 29 What is more , the enemy lost five units @ @ @ @ @ an electronic warfare system .
In the event of a threat to the life and @ @ @ @ @ JFO members always give an adequate response by opening fire on the enemy if the @ @ @ @ @ or counteract an enemy reconnaissance group attempting to cross the contact line , it said @ @ @ @ @ , Russia-led forces in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , mounted 19 attacks on Ukrainian positions @ @ @ @ @ a result of which two members of Ukraine 's Joint Forces ( JFO ) were @ @ @ @ @ another one sustained combat-related injuries .

The enemy lost five units of military hardware last month.
Russia-led forces' casualties in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in February 2020 included 38 dead soldiers, while 44 were wounded.
The figures were reported by the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) on March 1.
Read alsoDonbas war escalation: Almost 20 enemy attacks, two Ukraine soldiers wounded on Feb 29
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What is more, the enemy lost five units of military hardware, including an electronic warfare system.
In the event of a threat to the life and health of Ukrainian soldiers, JFO members always give an adequate response by opening fire on the enemy if the latter attempts to seize territories or counteract an enemy reconnaissance group attempting to cross the contact line, it said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, Russia-led forces in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, mounted 19 attacks on Ukrainian positions on February 29, as a result of which two members of Ukraine's Joint Forces (JFO) were wounded in action, and another one sustained combat-related injuries.


unian--2020-03-01--RFE/RL: Armenia identifies first coronavirus case as man returning from Iran

Health Minister Arsen Torosoan confirmed the news as well .
Armenia has detected its first confirmed case of a coronavirus infection , that of a 29-year-old man who recently returned with his wife from Iran , the Caucasus nation 's leader says .
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said on March 1 in a Facebook posting that `` Dear compatriots , about two hours ago we confirmed a case of coronavirus , unfortunately , '' Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty ( RFE/RL ) said .
Read alsoNumber of deaths from novel coronavirus rises to 2,979 Health Minister Arsen Torosoan confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man , an Armenian citizen , arrived by plane from Tehran on February 28 and later went to the hospital for treatment .
He is in good condition , the prime minister said .
Pashinian said people the victim has had close contact with will be quarantined .
He added that all of the passengers on the flight with him from Tehran had been wearing face masks and were escorted from the airport under previously set precautions for people traveling from Iran .
Iran has become the hot spot for the disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Ministry spokesman on February 29 said nine people died from the COVID-19 virus over the past 24 hours , bringing the total number of reported deaths to 43 amid 593 confirmed infections .

Health Minister Arsen Torosoan confirmed the news as well.
Armenia has detected its first confirmed case of a coronavirus infection, that of a 29-year-old man who recently returned with his wife from Iran, the Caucasus nation's leader says.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said on March 1 in a Facebook posting that "Dear compatriots, about two hours ago we confirmed a case of coronavirus, unfortunately," Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) said.
Read alsoNumber of deaths from novel coronavirus rises to 2,979
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Health Minister Arsen Torosoan confirmed the news as well.
Pashinian said the man, an Armenian citizen, arrived by plane from Tehran on February 28 and later went to the hospital for treatment. He is in good condition, the prime minister said.
Pashinian said people the victim has had close contact with will be quarantined.
He added that all of the passengers on the flight with him from Tehran had been wearing face masks and were escorted from the airport under previously set precautions for people traveling from Iran.
Iran has become the hot spot for the disease in the Middle East. An Iranian Health Ministry spokesman on February 29 said nine people died from the COVID-19 virus over the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of reported deaths to 43 amid 593 confirmed infections.


unian--2020-03-01--Donbas war escalation: Almost 20 enemy attacks, two Ukraine soldiers wounded on Feb 29

Enemy troops shelled Ukrainian positions near the Maryinka checkpoint , using a portable anti-tank missile launcher .
Russia-led forces in @ @ @ @ @ mounted 19 attacks on Ukrainian positions on February 29 , as a result of which @ @ @ @ @ Joint Forces ( JFO ) were wounded in action , and another one sustained combat-related @ @ @ @ @ weapons , namely 120mm and 82mm mortars , as well as a portable anti-tank missile @ @ @ @ @ various systems , the press center of the Joint Forces Operation ( JFO ) said @ @ @ @ @ March 1 .
A pair of enemy snipers were reportedly working there too .
Ukrainian @ @ @ @ @ were shelled with the use of a portable anti-tank missile launcher , the JFO HQ @ @ @ @ @ , Russia-led forces have already fired two 82mm mortar shells .
They also used grenade @ @ @ @ @ to attack Ukrainian soldiers defending the village of Pisky .
No Ukrainian army casualties have @ @ @ @ @

Enemy troops shelled Ukrainian positions near the Maryinka checkpoint, using a portable anti-tank missile launcher.
Russia-led forces in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, mounted 19 attacks on Ukrainian positions on February 29, as a result of which two members of Ukraine's Joint Forces (JFO) were wounded in action, and another one sustained combat-related injuries.
They used proscribed weapons, namely 120mm and 82mm mortars, as well as a portable anti-tank missile launcher, grenade launchers of various systems, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) said in a morning update on March 1.
Read alsoRussia-led forces attack JFO positions near Maryinka checkpoint in Donbas
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A pair of enemy snipers were reportedly working there too.
Ukrainian positions near the Maryinka checkpoint were shelled with the use of a portable anti-tank missile launcher, the JFO HQ said.
Since Sunday midnight, Russia-led forces have already fired two 82mm mortar shells. They also used grenade launchers and heavy machine guns to attack Ukrainian soldiers defending the village of Pisky.
No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported since then.


unian--2020-03-01--Number of deaths from novel coronavirus rises to 2,979

The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus originating from China 's Wuhan has risen to 2,979 .
As of @ @ @ @ @ 86,986 cases in total confirmed globally with 218 deaths outside mainland China , according to @ @ @ @ @ dashboard by the CSSE at Johns Hopkins University .
As of Sunday morning , there @ @ @ @ @ South Korea , 1,128 in Italy , 593 in Iran , 241 in Japan , @ @ @ @ @ in France , 95 in Hong Kong , 79 in Germany , and 71 in @ @ @ @ @ UNIAN reported earlier , the outbreak was first reported late in December 2019 .

Some 42,294 people have recovered.
The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus originating from China's Wuhan has risen to 2,979.
As of March 1, there were 86,986 cases in total confirmed globally with 218 deaths outside mainland China, according to the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases dashboard by the CSSE at Johns Hopkins University.
Some 42,294 people have recovered.
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Read alsoWorld Health Organization upgrades global coronavirus risk to "very high" (Video)
As of Sunday morning, there were 3,526 cases confirmed in South Korea, 1,128 in Italy, 593 in Iran, 241 in Japan, 102 in Singapore, 100 in France, 95 in Hong Kong, 79 in Germany, and 71 in the United States.
Coronavirus cases were reported in 37 countries.
As UNIAN reported earlier, the outbreak was first reported late in December 2019.


unian--2020-02-29--Russia should stay out of Turkey's fight against Assad regime, Erdoğan tells Putin – media

Turkey is not seeking an adventure or an opportunity to expand its territories but simply protecting its territorial integrity against the Assad regime , Erdoğan says .
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Saturday that Ankara has asked Moscow to stay out of its fight against Assad regime forces in Idlib as Turkish forces continued to target regime positions in northern Syria .
`` I asked Putin for Russia to leave Turkish forces alone to fight the regime , we ca n't seem to understand Russia 's intentions there , '' Erdoğan told a group of the ruling Justice and Development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting in Istanbul , Daily Sabah wrote .
Read alsoTurkey says will not stop Syrian refugees reaching Europe after troops killed – Reuters Erdoğan said that he conveyed this demand to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in their recent phone call , which took place after Thursday 's airstrike by regime forces that left 36 Turkish soldiers dead .
The president said Turkey is not seeking an adventure or an opportunity to expand its territories but simply protecting its territorial integrity against the Assad regime .
`` If we do not clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might have to fight bigger wars inside Turkey later on . ''
He added that the Turkish Armed Forces ( TSK ) managed to break the siege in the south of Idlib completely and blamed the regime for pushing Turkey to take military action against it at such large scale .
Erdoğan added that he told both Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump during separate phone conversations on Friday night that their countries did not fulfill promises made to Turkey in the region .
Russia and the U.S. agreed on plans to remove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YPG ) and their weapons from the border with Turkey .
Erdoğan also said the TSK has destroyed seven chemical sites , and nearly 300 military vehicles , including 94 tanks , and killed more than 2,100 Assad troops .
`` Several sites , including airfields , ammunition depots , air defense systems , hangars and chemical weapon production facilities were put under heavy fire and destroyed , '' Erdoğan said .
`` As of yesterday evening , seven warehouses with chemical materials have been blown up , '' he said .
Erdoğan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on to Europe from Turkey which he said can no longer handle new waves of people fleeing war-torn Syria .
The president said nearly 4 million people moving towards Turkey 's border to flee regime violence and 1.5 million Syrians are already located at the border .
He said the European Union did not keep its promise of allocating 25 million euros to share the financial burden of refugees on Turkey .
`` We can not handle a new influx of refugees but we can not leave those people at the mercy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What did we do yesterday ( Friday ) ?
We opened the doors , '' Erdoğan said in Istanbul in his first comments after the escalation of clashes between the Turkish forces and the regime in northern Syria on Thursday .
`` We will not close those doors ... Why ?
Because the European Union should keep its promises . ''
The Turkish leader also said 18,000 migrants have amassed on the Turkish borders with Europe since Friday , adding that the number could reach as many as 30,000 on Saturday .

Turkey is not seeking an adventure or an opportunity to expand its territories but simply protecting its territorial integrity against the Assad regime, Erdoğan says.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Saturday that Ankara has asked Moscow to stay out of its fight against Assad regime forces in Idlib as Turkish forces continued to target regime positions in northern Syria.
"I asked Putin for Russia to leave Turkish forces alone to fight the regime, we can't seem to understand Russia's intentions there," Erdoğan told a group of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies at a meeting in Istanbul, Daily Sabah wrote.
Read alsoTurkey says will not stop Syrian refugees reaching Europe after troops killed – Reuters
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Erdoğan said that he conveyed this demand to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in their recent phone call, which took place after Thursday's airstrike by regime forces that left 36 Turkish soldiers dead.
The president said Turkey is not seeking an adventure or an opportunity to expand its territories but simply protecting its territorial integrity against the Assad regime.
"If we do not clear our borders from terrorists now, we might have to fight bigger wars inside Turkey later on."
He added that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) managed to break the siege in the south of Idlib completely and blamed the regime for pushing Turkey to take military action against it at such large scale.
Read alsoIn retaliation move, Turkey bombs Assad's forces in Idlib overnight Friday (Photo, video)
Erdoğan added that he told both Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump during separate phone conversations on Friday night that their countries did not fulfill promises made to Turkey in the region. Russia and the U.S. agreed on plans to remove the PKK-linked People's Protection Units (YPG) and their weapons from the border with Turkey.
Erdoğan also said the TSK has destroyed seven chemical sites, and nearly 300 military vehicles, including 94 tanks, and killed more than 2,100 Assad troops.
"Several sites, including airfields, ammunition depots, air defense systems, hangars and chemical weapon production facilities were put under heavy fire and destroyed," Erdoğan said.
"As of yesterday evening, seven warehouses with chemical materials have been blown up," he said.
Erdoğan also vowed to allow refugees to travel on to Europe from Turkey which he said can no longer handle new waves of people fleeing war-torn Syria.
The president said nearly 4 million people moving towards Turkey's border to flee regime violence and 1.5 million Syrians are already located at the border. He said the European Union did not keep its promise of allocating 25 million euros to share the financial burden of refugees on Turkey.
"We cannot handle a new influx of refugees but we cannot leave those people at the mercy of the Assad regime either."
"What did we do yesterday (Friday)? We opened the doors," Erdoğan said in Istanbul in his first comments after the escalation of clashes between the Turkish forces and the regime in northern Syria on Thursday. "We will not close those doors...Why? Because the European Union should keep its promises."
The Turkish leader also said 18,000 migrants have amassed on the Turkish borders with Europe since Friday, adding that the number could reach as many as 30,000 on Saturday.


unian--2020-02-29--Russia-led forces attack JFO positions near Maryinka checkpoint in Donbas

The invaders opened fire when a significant number of civilians were crossing the contact line .
The Joint Forces Operation @ @ @ @ @ says Russia 's hybrid military forces have shelled the Ukrainian positions near the Maryinka entry @ @ @ @ @ , eastern Ukraine , with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded on Saturday .
`` @ @ @ @ @ the Russian occupying forces have attacked positions of the Joint Forces near the Maryinka checkpoint @ @ @ @ @ anti-tank missile system .
Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded as a result of enemy shelling @ @ @ @ @ wrote on Facebook on February 29 , 2020 .
It is noted that the invaders @ @ @ @ @ number of civilians were crossing the contact line .
`` Now the operation of the @ @ @ @ @ .
Border guards have taken measures to ensure the safety of citizens and personnel .
@ @ @ @ @ introduce the 'Red ' mode until a specific order , '' the report said .
@ @ @ @ @ operate as usual , the JFO HQ added .

The invaders opened fire when a significant number of civilians were crossing the contact line.
The Joint Forces Operation Headquarters (JFO HQ) says Russia's hybrid military forces have shelled the Ukrainian positions near the Maryinka entry and exit checkpoint in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with two Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded on Saturday.
Read alsoDonbas war update: Ukrainian soldier wounded amid eight enemy attacks on Feb 28
"Today, February 29, the Russian occupying forces have attacked positions of the Joint Forces near the Maryinka checkpoint with the use of an anti-tank missile system. Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded as a result of enemy shelling," the JFO HQ wrote on Facebook on February 29, 2020.
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It is noted that the invaders opened fire when a significant number of civilians were crossing the contact line.
"Now the operation of the Maryinka checkpoint is temporarily suspended. Border guards have taken measures to ensure the safety of citizens and personnel. The JFO Commander decided to introduce the 'Red' mode until a specific order," the report said.
The other checkpoints continue to operate as usual, the JFO HQ added.


unian--2020-02-29--Average wage in Ukraine grows to almost US$437 in Jan y-o-y

The average pay in Kyiv in January 2020 was US $ 643 .
The average nominal wage of a full-time employee grew by 12.5 % in Ukraine in January 2020 against December 2019 , while rising by 16.3 % year-over-year ( y-o-y ) , to UAH 10,727 , or US $ 437 .
Read alsoExpert forecasts rise in price of Ukraine 's food basket in 2020 Real wages in Ukraine in January 2020 increased by 12.7 % from December 2019 , whereas they also rose by 12.5 % y-o-y , the State Statistics Service reported .
The average nominal rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ January 2020 was 2.3 times up from the minimum wage set at UAH 4,723 ( US $ 192 ) .
The average pay in the city of Kyiv in January 2020 was UAH 15,787 ( US $ 643 ) , the report said .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the minimum wage in Ukraine from January 1 , 2020 , increased by UAH 550 ( US $ 22.39 ) , to UAH 4,723 ( US $ 192 ) per month , or UAH 28.31 ( US $ 1.15 ) per hour .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minimum monthly subsistence wage will be UAH 2,027 ( US $ 82.53 ) per capita from January 1 ; UAH 2,118 ( US $ 86.24 ) from July 1 ; and UAH 2,189 ( US $ 89.13 ) from December 1 .

Average wage in Ukraine grows to almost US$437 in Jan y-o-y
19:33, 29.02.20 7273
The average pay in Kyiv in January 2020 was US$643.
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unian--2020-02-29--U.S. Department of Defense orders Javelin missile systems for Ukraine

Work will be performed in Tucson , Arizona , with an estimated completion date of June 25 , 2020 .
The U.S. Department of Defense has signed a contract for the production of Javelin anti-tank missile systems for a number of countries , including Ukraine .
Read alsoNational Interest : Ukraine is getting stronger : What if it could take on Russia ?
`` Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV , Tucson , Arizona , was awarded an US $ 18,431,215 modification ( P00022 ) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0059 .
Work will be performed in Tucson , Arizona , with an estimated completion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' reads a statement on the website of the U.S. Department of Defense .
`` Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance , Army , and foreign military sales ( Australia , Czech Republic , Estonia , France , Georgia , Indonesia , Ireland , Jordan , Lithuania , New Zealand , Norway , Oman , Qatar , Turkey , Ukraine and United Arab Emirates ) funds in the amount of US $ 18,431,215 were obligated at the time of the award .
U.S. Army Contracting Command , Redstone Arsenal , Alabama , is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As UNIAN reported earlier , at the end of 2017 , the U.S. Presidential Administration of Donald Trump decided to sell Ukraine lethal weapons , including Javelin anti-tank missile systems .
On March 1 , 2018 , the U.S. Department of State approved the sale of 210 Javelin missiles and 37 launchers totaling about US $ 47 million , which were delivered to Ukraine in April 2018 .
In 2019 , Ukraine 's Defense Ministry signed a contract for delivery of the second batch of the U.S. Javelin anti-tank missile systems ( ATMS @ @

Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of June 25, 2020.
The U.S. Department of Defense has signed a contract for the production of Javelin anti-tank missile systems for a number of countries, including Ukraine.
Read alsoNational Interest: Ukraine is getting stronger: What if it could take on Russia?
"Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin JV, Tucson, Arizona, was awarded an US$18,431,215 modification (P00022) to contract W31P4Q-19-C-0059. Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona, with an estimated completion date of June 25, 2020," reads a statement on the website of the U.S. Department of Defense.
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"Fiscal 2020 operations and maintenance, Army, and foreign military sales (Australia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Georgia, Indonesia, Ireland, Jordan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Turkey, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates) funds in the amount of US$18,431,215 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity," it said.
As UNIAN reported earlier, at the end of 2017, the U.S. Presidential Administration of Donald Trump decided to sell Ukraine lethal weapons, including Javelin anti-tank missile systems.
On March 1, 2018, the U.S. Department of State approved the sale of 210 Javelin missiles and 37 launchers totaling about US$47 million, which were delivered to Ukraine in April 2018.
In 2019, Ukraine's Defense Ministry signed a contract for delivery of the second batch of the U.S. Javelin anti-tank missile systems (ATMS).


unian--2020-02-29--Week's balance: Coronavirus provoking global financial crisis, Zelensky promises miners to pay off w

Week's balance: Coronavirus provoking global financial crisis, Zelensky promises miners to pay off wage arrears, while government submitted plan to support key industries

The last week of winter brought some bad news to the planet : the rapid spread of the Chinese coronavirus , invading new countries and regions , led to a panic among investors and brought down the indices of world financial exchanges .
The price of Brent crude on Friday for the first time since December 2018 fell below $ 50 per barrel .
Over the week , `` black gold '' plunged 14 % , the most since 2011 .
Dow Jones Industrial Average , S & P 500 , and high-tech NASDAQ indices fell by more than four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a week , the key indices of world exchanges dropped 11 % , the worst fall since 2008 .
The world started talking of a recurrence of the global financial crisis .
The trigger of the new economic troubles was the confident advance across the planet of the Chinese Covid-19 coronavirus .
It is obvious that in early February , American and European financiers underestimated the consequences of this disease , believing that the epidemic would be limited to the world 's second largest economy , China .
However , now the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Covid-19 will affect all countries and might as well significantly change our world .
And while economists started talking about the first signs of the onset of the global economic recession as early as last summer , now it 's starting to shape up at an alarming pace .
Many Ukrainians who remember the painful experience of the devaluation of 2008-2009 are now asking themselves , how another crisis will hit their country and their families .
Is Ukraine , which remains critically dependent on world markets , ready for a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the previous crisis ?
The Cabinet remains calm in public , claiming that they do n't expect serious consequences for the domestic economy over the epidemic – that 's according to Minister of Economic Development , Trade and Agriculture Tymofiy Mylovanov .
`` We do not expect significant problems for our value chains , rather , imports will rise in price , which is generally good for the economy , especially for the national producer , '' Mylovanov said , commenting on the situation .
According to him , the government is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences of the epidemic with the assistance of state support , as well as greater coordination of efforts with tax and fiscal services , and the National Bank .
In addition , the Cabinet of Ministers is studying the experience of the Central Bank of China in dealing with the economic consequences of the dangerous virus .
Mylovanov emphasized that most of Ukraine 's exports to the PRC are corn and sunflower oil , ores , and iron ore concentrates .
For the first two positions , Mylovanov predicts export growth , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries seeking to increase metallurgical production .
As for the import of Chinese goods , consumer products can be replaced by domestic or European ones , and components and equipment can be replaced with products made in the EU or other Asian countries , the minister suggests .
But there is an important question : do the authorities realize the scale and acuteness of the impending issues , which in the coming weeks could grow like a snowball , and do they have enough professionalism and competence to counter these threats ?
Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time The global financial crisis that seems to be flaring up poses a special threat to Ukrainian economy including because of the decline in industrial output in the country over the past months .
At the end of 2019 , this important indicator fell by 1.8 % after a 1.1 % increase in 2018 .
Last week , the State Statistics Service published data for January .
The decline in industrial output in the first month of 2020 , although it slowed down after falling by 8.3 % in December , still amounted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to December 2019 , industrial output in January fell by 8.4 % .
According to the State Statistics Service , the largest drop in annual terms was recorded in the extraction of coal and brown coal ( 19.2 % ) , production of basic pharmaceutical products ( 14.7 % ) , supply of electricity , gas , steam , and air conditioning ( 10.8 % ) , engineering ( 10.5 % ) , and metallurgy ( 10.3 % ) .
Significant growth in annual terms was recorded in chemical industry and production of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24.4 % and 17.4 % , respectively .
This negative trend forces both economists and politicians to raise the alarm .
The Verkhovna Rada started talking about the need to revive the Ministry of Industrial Policy , and when deputies were hearing the report of the Cabinet of Ministers on its performance in 2019 , they blamed the government for the lack of actual steps to fix the situation .
After such criticism , the Ministry of Economic Development , Trade and Agriculture this week decided to take a retaliatory move and presented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the country 's priority sectors .
According to Minister Mylovanov , in preparing the new three-year budget declaration , the government intends to pledge more than UAH 90 billion for support programs for industry , agriculture and exports .
At the same time , the largest amount of funds will go to support programs for the agricultural sector ( UAH 45.5 billion over three years ) .
To support industry , the ministry proposes to allocate UAH 32.6 billion , in particular : UAH 16.9 billion for the development of aviation industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the purchase of production equipment , UAH 6.8 billion – to cofinance smart regional specialization projects , andUAH 3 billion – to create the Energy Efficiency Fund in industry .
Over the three years , it is planned to allocate UAH 12.4 billion for export support , of which UAH 6 billion – to compensate loans to exporters , UAH 6 billion – to add to the authorized capital of the Export Credit Agency , and UAH 410 million – to support and promote exports .
`` It is important to note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , inter alia , by industrial enterprises .
Thus , the total amount of support for the industry can be increased , '' the minister added .
Needless to say , the amounts announced are not enough to revive the national industry , however , unfortunately , in the current conditions , these sectors can only hope for the allocation of these funds .
The outgoing week once again reminded of a problem that remained unresolved throughout the years of independence .
It 's about the problematic coal industry .
Today , wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And this despite the fact that in February the Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 163 million for payments to miners , and in December last year UAH 323 million was allocated .
At the All-Ukrainian meeting of coal industry workers on Tuesday , speakers noted a disastrous situation with the payment of salaries in certain regions , since in some mines no wages have been paid for about five months .
The miners also threatened authorities with rallies in the capital if debts were n't paid .
President Volodymyr Zelensky , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government to pay the miners ' salary arrears within two months .
`` I ask that in the next two months – March and April – all arrears to miners be completely paid off .
If they are not paid , it will be fair if the government members do n't receive their salaries throughout these months , '' the head of state said .
Zelensky did not stop there , urging Cabinet members to visit mining cities in order to better understand the needs of coal-mining regions .
The President also instructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Oleksiy Orzhel , to conduct a personnel and financial audit of coal enterprises and transmit information to law enforcement agencies .
Also , on the instructions of the head of state , the government shall create a Coordination Center for the transformation of the coal mining industry .
It is worth noting that at this meeting Zelensky set the Cabinet of Ministers the task of limiting the imports of electricity and coal , and allowing the imports of only those grades of coal that are n't mined in Ukraine , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ domestic fuel .
Outlining his version of improving the industry , the president voiced what he believes is a `` great idea '' that raised some eyebrows .
Zelensky suggested that DTEK energy holding owner Rinat Akhmetov , who owns the lion 's share of the national thermal energy , buy another state-owned company , Centrenergo , along with unprofitable state mines .
`` If you are not ready , while the Antimonopoly Committee , as you say , are against it , I 'll talk to them , and they will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the question .
You must also help us then find partners like you , the strong ones in the industry , and find people who could privatize and invest in mine modernization .
To help the state do this , '' Zelensky said , referring to Maksym Tymchenko , CEO of DTEK Energy Holding .
Apparently , the president 's proposal turned out to be too `` generous '' because Tymchenko said that DTEK energy holding was n't interested in acquiring Centrenergo .
`` I believe that we have sufficient thermal generation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in green generation .
Therefore , we will not take part in privatization .
I think that new players are needed in order to have lively competition , '' he added .
In a commentary to UNIAN , Tymchenko said that DTEK was not interested in privatizing unprofitable state mines , either .
`` We have a large enough volume , today we produce about 80 % of the country 's coal , this is enough , '' he said .
Well , for now , instead of a systematic solution to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government once again decided to limit itself to a budgetary handout .
We should n't forget that Ukraine is now having issues with filling the state treasury , because there is no full guarantee for the allocation of a billion hryvnias in the next two months to pay off debts to miners .
And the point is not only in the limited possibilities of the treasury : the situation is also aggravated by the reduction in the country 's demand for the extraction of significant volumes of coal due to a warm winter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In connection with the reduction in the load on heat generation , Minister Orzhel admitted several weeks ago that Ukraine could not sell all the coal mined , so the industry needed a `` comprehensive '' reform .
By the way , the Ministry of Energy at the end of January unveiled a draft concept of the Green Energy Transition of Ukraine until 2050 , according to which the share of renewables in the country 's energy balance should grow to 70 % by 2050 with a complete rejection of coal energy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ready to try on the role of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher , who addressed the issues of her country 's coal industry in a too radical way ?
The upcoming week promises to be full of economic news .
Coronavirus and its impact on the global and Ukrainian economies will also remain in focus .
In addition , from Tuesday , the Verkhovna Rada returns to considering the bill on the land market .
So far , the deputies have considered almost 1,200 amendments to the draft , having gone a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be seeing some hot parliamentary days .

The large drop in stock market indices caused by the spread of the Chinese coronavirus made many suggest a new financial crisis, President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the government to pay wage arrears to miners and limit coal imports, while the Cabinet announced a plan to support key industries – these are the main economic developments of the past week.
The last week of winter brought some bad news to the planet: the rapid spread of the Chinese coronavirus, invading new countries and regions, led to a panic among investors and brought down the indices of world financial exchanges. The price of Brent crude on Friday for the first time since December 2018 fell below $50 per barrel. Over the week, "black gold" plunged 14%, the most since 2011.
Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and high-tech NASDAQ indices fell by more than four percent on Thursday alone, while within just a week, the key indices of world exchanges dropped 11%, the worst fall since 2008.
The world started talking of a recurrence of the global financial crisis. The trigger of the new economic troubles was the confident advance across the planet of the Chinese Covid-19 coronavirus. It is obvious that in early February, American and European financiers underestimated the consequences of this disease, believing that the epidemic would be limited to the world's second largest economy, China. However, now the moods have changed dramatically. Everyone realized that Covid-19 will affect all countries and might as well significantly change our world.
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And while economists started talking about the first signs of the onset of the global economic recession as early as last summer, now it's starting to shape up at an alarming pace. Many Ukrainians who remember the painful experience of the devaluation of 2008-2009 are now asking themselves, how another crisis will hit their country and their families. Is Ukraine, which remains critically dependent on world markets, ready for a new challenge, has it learned the lessons of the previous crisis?
The Cabinet remains calm in public, claiming that they don't expect serious consequences for the domestic economy over the epidemic – that's according to Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Tymofiy Mylovanov.
"We do not expect significant problems for our value chains, rather, imports will rise in price, which is generally good for the economy, especially for the national producer," Mylovanov said, commenting on the situation. According to him, the government is ready to respond to the possible negative consequences of the epidemic with the assistance of state support, as well as greater coordination of efforts with tax and fiscal services, and the National Bank. In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers is studying the experience of the Central Bank of China in dealing with the economic consequences of the dangerous virus.
Mylovanov emphasized that most of Ukraine's exports to the PRC are corn and sunflower oil, ores, and iron ore concentrates. For the first two positions, Mylovanov predicts export growth, while the latter could be sold to other countries seeking to increase metallurgical production.
As for the import of Chinese goods, consumer products can be replaced by domestic or European ones, and components and equipment can be replaced with products made in the EU or other Asian countries, the minister suggests.
But there is an important question: do the authorities realize the scale and acuteness of the impending issues, which in the coming weeks could grow like a snowball, and do they have enough professionalism and competence to counter these threats?
Government vows support for industry, but over time
The global financial crisis that seems to be flaring up poses a special threat to Ukrainian economy including because of the decline in industrial output in the country over the past months. At the end of 2019, this important indicator fell by 1.8% after a 1.1% increase in 2018.
Last week, the State Statistics Service published data for January. The decline in industrial output in the first month of 2020, although it slowed down after falling by 8.3% in December, still amounted to an impressive 5.1%. Compared to December 2019, industrial output in January fell by 8.4%.
According to the State Statistics Service, the largest drop in annual terms was recorded in the extraction of coal and brown coal (19.2%), production of basic pharmaceutical products (14.7%), supply of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning (10.8%), engineering (10.5%), and metallurgy (10.3%). Significant growth in annual terms was recorded in chemical industry and production of computers, electronic and optical products – 24.4% and 17.4%, respectively.
This negative trend forces both economists and politicians to raise the alarm. The Verkhovna Rada started talking about the need to revive the Ministry of Industrial Policy, and when deputies were hearing the report of the Cabinet of Ministers on its performance in 2019, they blamed the government for the lack of actual steps to fix the situation.
After such criticism, the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture this week decided to take a retaliatory move and presented a plan of state support in 2021-2023 for the country's priority sectors.
According to Minister Mylovanov, in preparing the new three-year budget declaration, the government intends to pledge more than UAH 90 billion for support programs for industry, agriculture and exports. At the same time, the largest amount of funds will go to support programs for the agricultural sector (UAH 45.5 billion over three years). To support industry, the ministry proposes to allocate UAH 32.6 billion, in particular: UAH 16.9 billion for the development of aviation industry, UAH 6 billion – to compensate for the purchase of production equipment, UAH 6.8 billion – to cofinance smart regional specialization projects, andUAH 3 billion – to create the Energy Efficiency Fund in industry.
Over the three years, it is planned to allocate UAH 12.4 billion for export support, of which UAH 6 billion – to compensate loans to exporters, UAH 6 billion – to add to the authorized capital of the Export Credit Agency, and UAH 410 million – to support and promote exports.
"It is important to note that support for export programs is provided, inter alia, by industrial enterprises. Thus, the total amount of support for the industry can be increased," the minister added. Needless to say, the amounts announced are not enough to revive the national industry, however, unfortunately, in the current conditions, these sectors can only hope for the allocation of these funds.
Promises to miners
The outgoing week once again reminded of a problem that remained unresolved throughout the years of independence. It's about the problematic coal industry. Today, wage arrears to miners exceed UAH 1 billion. And this despite the fact that in February the Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 163 million for payments to miners, and in December last year UAH 323 million was allocated. At the All-Ukrainian meeting of coal industry workers on Tuesday, speakers noted a disastrous situation with the payment of salaries in certain regions, since in some mines no wages have been paid for about five months. The miners also threatened authorities with rallies in the capital if debts weren't paid.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, who took part the meeting, instructed the government to pay the miners' salary arrears within two months.
"I ask that in the next two months – March and April – all arrears to miners be completely paid off. If they are not paid, it will be fair if the government members don't receive their salaries throughout these months," the head of state said.
Zelensky did not stop there, urging Cabinet members to visit mining cities in order to better understand the needs of coal-mining regions. The President also instructed the Minister of Energy and the Ecology, Oleksiy Orzhel, to conduct a personnel and financial audit of coal enterprises and transmit information to law enforcement agencies.
Also, on the instructions of the head of state, the government shall create a Coordination Center for the transformation of the coal mining industry.
It is worth noting that at this meeting Zelensky set the Cabinet of Ministers the task of limiting the imports of electricity and coal, and allowing the imports of only those grades of coal that aren't mined in Ukraine, as well as providing a guaranteed sales market for domestic fuel.
Outlining his version of improving the industry, the president voiced what he believes is a "great idea" that raised some eyebrows. Zelensky suggested that DTEK energy holding owner Rinat Akhmetov, who owns the lion's share of the national thermal energy, buy another state-owned company, Centrenergo, along with unprofitable state mines.
"If you are not ready, while the Antimonopoly Committee, as you say, are against it, I'll talk to them, and they will be in favor. But that is not the question. You must also help us then find partners like you, the strong ones in the industry, and find people who could privatize and invest in mine modernization. To help the state do this," Zelensky said, referring to Maksym Tymchenko, CEO of DTEK Energy Holding.
Apparently, the president's proposal turned out to be too "generous" because Tymchenko said that DTEK energy holding wasn't interested in acquiring Centrenergo. "I believe that we have sufficient thermal generation. Our priority is the development of investments in green generation. Therefore, we will not take part in privatization. I think that new players are needed in order to have lively competition," he added.
In a commentary to UNIAN, Tymchenko said that DTEK was not interested in privatizing unprofitable state mines, either. "We have a large enough volume, today we produce about 80% of the country's coal, this is enough," he said.
Well, for now, instead of a systematic solution to the problems in the coal industry, the government once again decided to limit itself to a budgetary handout. We shouldn't forget that Ukraine is now having issues with filling the state treasury, because there is no full guarantee for the allocation of a billion hryvnias in the next two months to pay off debts to miners. And the point is not only in the limited possibilities of the treasury: the situation is also aggravated by the reduction in the country's demand for the extraction of significant volumes of coal due to a warm winter and a decrease in industrial output.
In connection with the reduction in the load on heat generation, Minister Orzhel admitted several weeks ago that Ukraine could not sell all the coal mined, so the industry needed a "comprehensive" reform. By the way, the Ministry of Energy at the end of January unveiled a draft concept of the Green Energy Transition of Ukraine until 2050, according to which the share of renewables in the country's energy balance should grow to 70% by 2050 with a complete rejection of coal energy.
Is there a leader in power who is ready to try on the role of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who addressed the issues of her country's coal industry in a too radical way?
The upcoming week promises to be full of economic news. Coronavirus and its impact on the global and Ukrainian economies will also remain in focus. In addition, from Tuesday, the Verkhovna Rada returns to considering the bill on the land market. So far, the deputies have considered almost 1,200 amendments to the draft, having gone a quarter of the way, so we will be seeing some hot parliamentary days.
Dmytro Shvarts


unian--2020-02-29--NBU weakens official forex rate to UAH 24.59 to dollar on March 2

The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 26.98 per euro .
The National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) on Friday evening weakened the official hryvnia exchange rate by three kopiykas for Monday , March 2 , bringing the national currency to UAH 24.59 to the U.S. dollar .
Read alsoE-money market in Ukraine more than doubles in 2019 The hryvnia became weaker after it had gained nine kopiykas in value against U.S. dollar on Friday , February 28 , according to the NBU website .
The official forex rate against the euro for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ euro – the hryvnia lost five kopiykas in value since Friday .
As UNIAN reported earlier , the Ukrainian hryvnia in January 2020 weakened by 5.7 % against the U.S. dollar , to UAH 25.03 per U.S. dollar and by 4.7 % against the euro , to UAH 27.66 per euro .
In 2019 , Ukraine 's national currency strengthened by 14.5 % against the U.S. dollar , to UAH 23.69 and by 16.7 % against the euro , to UAH 26.42 .
The hryvnia 's historical low against the U.S. dollar was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

NBU weakens official forex rate to UAH 24.59 to dollar on March 2
14:53, 29.02.20 2839
The official forex rate against the euro for Monday is fixed at UAH 26.98 per euro.
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unian--2020-02-29--IMF team makes progress in talks in Ukraine

IMF experts began their work in Kyiv on February 20 .
The International Monetary Fund says it has made good progress in talks with the Ukrainian authorities to accelerate economic growth and ensure stability in Ukraine .
`` The IMF staff team that visited Kyiv made very good progress in discussions on legislation to support growth and ensure stability , and discussions will continue in the coming days , '' the IMF said on February 29 , according to Reuters .
Read alsoNBU Deputy Governor Dmytro Solohub : Most of IMF requirements for a new program have been met .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet been completed is almost finished As UNIAN reported earlier , IMF experts began their work in Kyiv on February 20 .
The team 's visit aimed to discuss with Ukrainian authorities the policies toward accelerating economic growth and maintaining stability .
Ukraine 's authorities and the IMF staff in December 2019 reached an agreement on policies to underpin a new three-year US $ 5.5 billion EFF , while the Fund 's Executive Board is yet to approve the program .
Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine ( NBU ) Yakiv @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EFF might be approved in the first quarter of 2020 .
Speaking about preconditions for concluding an agreement on the new program , the chief banker recalled the need to adopt laws preventing courts from returning insolvent banks to former owners and the launch of farmland trade .
In the framework of the 56th Munich Security Conference , President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky had a meeting with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva in mid-February .

IMF experts began their work in Kyiv on February 20.
The International Monetary Fund says it has made good progress in talks with the Ukrainian authorities to accelerate economic growth and ensure stability in Ukraine.
"The IMF staff team that visited Kyiv made very good progress in discussions on legislation to support growth and ensure stability, and discussions will continue in the coming days," the IMF said on February 29, according to Reuters.
Read alsoNBU Deputy Governor Dmytro Solohub: Most of IMF requirements for a new program have been met. And work on prior actions that have not yet been completed is almost finished
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As UNIAN reported earlier, IMF experts began their work in Kyiv on February 20. The team's visit aimed to discuss with Ukrainian authorities the policies toward accelerating economic growth and maintaining stability.
Ukraine's authorities and the IMF staff in December 2019 reached an agreement on policies to underpin a new three-year US$5.5 billion EFF, while the Fund's Executive Board is yet to approve the program.
Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) Yakiv Smolii said a decision on the new EFF might be approved in the first quarter of 2020.
Speaking about preconditions for concluding an agreement on the new program, the chief banker recalled the need to adopt laws preventing courts from returning insolvent banks to former owners and the launch of farmland trade.
In the framework of the 56th Munich Security Conference, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky had a meeting with Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva in mid-February.


unian--2020-02-29--U.N. chief: Killing of Turkish troops one of 'most alarming moments' of Syria war – media

Turkey and Russia gave opposing accounts to the Security Council of what happened .
U.N. chief Antonio Guterres on Friday described an increase in fighting in northwest Syria that killed dozens of Turkish troops as `` one of the most alarming moments '' of the nine-year-old war and – along with most U.N. Security Council members – called for a ceasefire .
The 15-member Security Council met on Friday after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government troops in the deadliest attack suffered by Turkey 's army in nearly 30 years , Reuters reports .
Syrian President Bashar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air power , have been fighting to retake the last large , rebel-held region in Syria after nine years of war .
Turkey has sent thousands of troops and heavy military hardware into Idlib region in an unprecedented incursion to back the rebels .
`` We call for the Russian Federation to immediately ground its warplanes and we call for all Syrian forces and their Russian backers to withdraw to the ceasefire lines first established in 2018 , '' U.S .
Ambassador to the United Nations , Kelly Craft , told the council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Security Council of what happened .
Russia 's U.N .
Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Turkish troops shared coordinates with Russia , which were then given to Syrian government forces , to avoid conflict on the ground .
He said Russian warplanes were not providing support in the area where the Turkish soldiers were killed .
`` The coordinates conveyed yesterday did not mention the areas where ultimately the Turkish soldiers died , '' Nebenzia said .
`` As soon as it became clear that it happened the Russian side took exhaustive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the safe evacuation of the dead and injured . ''
Turkish U.N .
Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu disputed Nebenzia 's account , saying that `` radar tracks '' showed that Syrian government and Russian aircraft were flying in formation during the time of the attack .
`` We had prior coordination in writing with Russian forces about the location of our convey and air strikes continued despite our immediate warnings right after the very first attack , '' he said .
Sinirlioglu said the Turkish troops were alone in the area and `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were deliberately attacked . ''
He said Turkey did not want war but would not hesitate to use force if its security was threatened .
Craft urged Guterres to do everything in his power to broker a ceasefire , saying `` the U.N. must play a central active role if we are to avoid even greater escalation . ''
Ahead of the Security Council meeting , Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire `` before the situation gets entirely out of control , '' adding that : `` Civilians are paying the gravest price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the frontlines reach more densely populated areas.
” Nearly a million Syrians have fled over the last three months , the biggest exodus of the conflict .
A crackdown by Assad on pro-democracy protesters in 2011 led to civil war .
Senior U.N. officials dealing with the humanitarian situation in northwest Syria on Thursday appealed for help from the 15-member Security Council , which has long been divided on how to deal with Syria .
Russia had vetoed 14 draft resolutions during the war .

Turkey and Russia gave opposing accounts to the Security Council of what happened.
U.N. chief Antonio Guterres on Friday described an increase in fighting in northwest Syria that killed dozens of Turkish troops as "one of the most alarming moments" of the nine-year-old war and – along with most U.N. Security Council members – called for a ceasefire.
Read alsoUkraine condemns Assad, Russia's air raid on Turkish positions in Syria
The 15-member Security Council met on Friday after 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government troops in the deadliest attack suffered by Turkey's army in nearly 30 years, Reuters reports.
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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces, supported by Russian air power, have been fighting to retake the last large, rebel-held region in Syria after nine years of war. Turkey has sent thousands of troops and heavy military hardware into Idlib region in an unprecedented incursion to back the rebels.
"We call for the Russian Federation to immediately ground its warplanes and we call for all Syrian forces and their Russian backers to withdraw to the ceasefire lines first established in 2018," U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, told the council.
Turkey and Russia gave opposing accounts to the Security Council of what happened.
Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Turkish troops shared coordinates with Russia, which were then given to Syrian government forces, to avoid conflict on the ground. He said Russian warplanes were not providing support in the area where the Turkish soldiers were killed.
Read alsoIn retaliation move, Turkey bombs Assad's forces in Idlib overnight Friday (Photo, video)
"The coordinates conveyed yesterday did not mention the areas where ultimately the Turkish soldiers died," Nebenzia said. "As soon as it became clear that it happened the Russian side took exhaustive measures to cease hostilities and to ensure the safe evacuation of the dead and injured."
Turkish U.N. Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu disputed Nebenzia's account, saying that "radar tracks" showed that Syrian government and Russian aircraft were flying in formation during the time of the attack.
"We had prior coordination in writing with Russian forces about the location of our convey and air strikes continued despite our immediate warnings right after the very first attack," he said.
Sinirlioglu said the Turkish troops were alone in the area and "the logical conclusion of that is that they were deliberately attacked." He said Turkey did not want war but would not hesitate to use force if its security was threatened.
Craft urged Guterres to do everything in his power to broker a ceasefire, saying "the U.N. must play a central active role if we are to avoid even greater escalation."
Ahead of the Security Council meeting, Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire "before the situation gets entirely out of control," adding that: "Civilians are paying the gravest price ... And the noose keeps tightening, as the frontlines reach more densely populated areas.”
Nearly a million Syrians have fled over the last three months, the biggest exodus of the conflict. A crackdown by Assad on pro-democracy protesters in 2011 led to civil war.
Senior U.N. officials dealing with the humanitarian situation in northwest Syria on Thursday appealed for help from the 15-member Security Council, which has long been divided on how to deal with Syria. Russia had vetoed 14 draft resolutions during the war.


unian--2020-02-29--Donbas war update: Ukrainian soldier wounded amid eight enemy attacks on Feb 28

The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm mortars , as well as grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and small arms .
Russia 's hybrid military forces on February 28 mounted eight attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas , eastern Ukraine , with one Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action .
Read alsoUkrainian officer posts update on enemy death toll in Donbas on Feb 26 '' The Russian Federation 's armed forces violated the ceasefire eight times on February 28 .
One Ukrainian soldier was wounded as a result of enemy shelling , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forces Operation Headquarters said in an update posted on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on February 29 .
The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm mortars , as well as grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and small arms .
In addition , the enemy employed sniper fire .
Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the villages of Vodiane , Pyshchevyk , Lebedynske , Novotroyitske , Novotoshkivske , and Orikhove .
`` Since Saturday midnight , Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near the town of Krasnohorivka and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using 120mm and 82mm mortars , grenade launchers of various types , heavy machine guns , and small arms , '' the update said .
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops Saturday morning .

The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm mortars, as well as grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms.
Russia's hybrid military forces on February 28 mounted eight attacks on Ukrainian army positions in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, with one Ukrainian soldiers reported as wounded in action.
Read alsoUkrainian officer posts update on enemy death toll in Donbas on Feb 26
"The Russian Federation's armed forces violated the ceasefire eight times on February 28. One Ukrainian soldier was wounded as a result of enemy shelling," the press center of Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation Headquarters said in an update posted on Facebook as of 07:00 Kyiv time on February 29.
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The enemy opened fire from proscribed 120mm mortars, as well as grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms. In addition, the enemy employed sniper fire.
Under attack came Ukrainian positions near the villages of Vodiane, Pyshchevyk, Lebedynske, Novotroyitske, Novotoshkivske, and Orikhove.
"Since Saturday midnight, Russia-led forces have attacked Ukrainian positions near the town of Krasnohorivka and the villages of Nevelske and Travneve, using 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers of various types, heavy machine guns, and small arms," the update said.
No casualties were reported among Ukrainian troops Saturday morning.


unian--2020-03-01--Ukraine's health ministry inspects three facilities designated for possible coronavirus patients

The hospitals of Zhytomyr , Rivne and Sarny have isolation wards designed for possible or confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus .
Ukraine 's Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko on March 1 inspected three local hospital facilities designated for possible coronavirus patients .
In particular , he visited hospitals in the cities of Zhytomyr and Rivne , and the town of Sarny as part of his working visit , the ministry 's press service said .
Read alsoTwo Ukrainians who returned from Italy preliminarily test negative for coronavirus He met with doctors and hospital nurses .
`` During the visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospitals and , most importantly , the medical staff are prepared .
This applies to both their professional skills and morale .
The doctors are ready to provide all necessary medical care to patients with coronavirus infection , '' the deputy minister said .
`` If necessary , medical workers are ready to work overtime .
All employees are well informed about what to do if COVID-19 has been identified . ''
According to him , several drills have already been held in those three facilities .
The hospitals of Zhytomyr , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for possible or confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus .
They are currently empty , but are ready to receive patients at any time .
`` In all three hospitals , they know what intensive care measures should be taken .
Zhytomyr 's hospital has an intensive care unit , it has also developed an action plan for the treatment of a greater number of people and for re-equipment of hospital units .
In Rivne , the intensive care unit in the infectious disease department will be fully prepared by the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other departments are ready to receive patients for intensive care , '' the ministry said .
Thus , it assured that the medical system of Ukraine is ready for addressing confirmed coronavirus cases .
In Ukraine , there are about 12,000 beds in infectious disease hospitals , isolated wards , 2,000 doctors who are able to treat infectious diseases , 5,000 medical personnel working in infectious diseases hospitals .

The hospitals of Zhytomyr, Rivne and Sarny have isolation wards designed for possible or confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus.
Ukraine's Deputy Health Minister Viktor Liashko on March 1 inspected three local hospital facilities designated for possible coronavirus patients.
In particular, he visited hospitals in the cities of Zhytomyr and Rivne, and the town of Sarny as part of his working visit, the ministry's press service said.
Read alsoTwo Ukrainians who returned from Italy preliminarily test negative for coronavirus
Видео дня
He met with doctors and hospital nurses.
"During the visits, it is important to understand how the hospitals and, most importantly, the medical staff are prepared. This applies to both their professional skills and morale. The doctors are ready to provide all necessary medical care to patients with coronavirus infection," the deputy minister said. "If necessary, medical workers are ready to work overtime. All employees are well informed about what to do if COVID-19 has been identified."
According to him, several drills have already been held in those three facilities.
The hospitals of Zhytomyr, Rivne and Sarny have isolation wards designed for possible or confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus.
They are currently empty, but are ready to receive patients at any time.
"In all three hospitals, they know what intensive care measures should be taken. Zhytomyr's hospital has an intensive care unit, it has also developed an action plan for the treatment of a greater number of people and for re-equipment of hospital units. In Rivne, the intensive care unit in the infectious disease department will be fully prepared by the end of next week. But if necessary, other departments are ready to receive patients for intensive care," the ministry said.
Thus, it assured that the medical system of Ukraine is ready for addressing confirmed coronavirus cases.
In Ukraine, there are about 12,000 beds in infectious disease hospitals, isolated wards, 2,000 doctors who are able to treat infectious diseases, 5,000 medical personnel working in infectious diseases hospitals.