News from Donetsk & Beyond: November 25-27, 2015

 Friday, November 27, 2015
(Updated throughout the day)

Alexander Zakharchenko

Zakharchenko: We perceive Minsk differently, therefore war could be resumed / Translated for Fort Russ by J. Arnoldski / Fort Russ / Novermber 27, 2015 / “Zakharchenko: there is less hope for peaceful negotiations” Different perceptions of the Minsk process in Ukraine and the DPR could ultimately lead to another military confrontation, the head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko, told journalists today, as reported by a special correspondent from Novorossia Information Agency. “We perceive the Minsk agreements differently than Ukraine. Ukraine sees them as returning us back, but that will never happen. The Minsk process is perceived by us as an equal partnership with the obligatory return of occupied territory as a basic condition for ending the war. So, there is all the less hope for a successful continuation of negotiations,” he said. According to Zakharchenko, the difficult economic situation will force Poroshenko to compensate for drops in the economy with military successes, therefore confidence in the peaceful outcome of negotiations is reduced and confidence in a continuation of hostilities is increasing. “Initially, when we signed the Minsk agreements, we were confident that Ukraine would not observe them...Therefore we are ready for any aggression and I want to assure the residents of the republic that if Ukraine decides to unleash hostilities, then the line of demarcation will be where we put it.“ Editor's note: For commentary on Zakharchenko's interpretation of Minsk, see Minsk 2.0 Chess Match: Has Zakharchenko Outplayed Kiev? (February 18, 2015).

Alexander Zakharchenko (--DAN)

Situation at Contact Line of DPR Worsens in Last Three Months - Zakharchenko / DAN / Edited autotranslation / November 27, 2015 / The situation at the contact line of the DRP has only worsened in three montsh. This was stated today to journalists by the Head of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko. "The situation on the frontline for the past three months has deteriorated significantly. The Ukrainian side continues to pull in equipment and weapons: mortars, tanks, armored vehicles, and rocket systems," he said. The leader stressed that, so unlike the DPR, the Ukrainian side continues to violate the Minsk Agreements. "Our equipment and armament are in places that are under the supervision of the OSCE," added the head of the country. Recall, the armistice was signed by the parties of the conflict on September 1, 2015. The cease-fire came into force in Donbass along the line of contact. But despite this, the Ukrainian army has repeatedly shelled the territory of the People's Republic, people were dying. The most serious violations, the recent attacks on the school grounds, were in the village on the northern outskirts Zaitsevo Gorlovka. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.

Crimea blackout (--theworldweekly.com)

Coal Supplies to Ukraine may Resume after Crimea Power Restored - Zakharchenko / DAN / Edited autotranslation / November 27, 2015 / The Head of the DPR considers lifting the embargo on the supply of coal to Ukraine if Kiev restores the power supply, cut off by sabotage, to the Russian peninsula of Crimea. This was stated by the Head of the Republic Alexander Zakharchenko. "Ukraine has committed a humanitarian crime, leaving the Crimea without electricity in the winter," said the Head of the DPR. "I think that the Ukrainian authorities must restore electricity Crimea. If that happens, then we may consider the possibility of resumption of the coal supply to Ukraine." On the eve of 26 November, it was reported that Zakharchenko took personal control of protection of the DPR infrastructure. The reason was a diversion in the Kherson region, where Ukrainian extremists blew supports for the high-voltage line providing electricity to Crimea. Also this week, a ban was imposed on the supply of coal from the DPR to Ukraine. It is assumed that the embargo will be valid for at least two weeks.

Artseney Yatsenyuk, mentally ill, criminally rich

West Fed Up with Ukraine / by Dmitry Minin / Strategic Culture Foundation / November 27, 2015 / Two years have passed after mass protests erupted at Kiev's Maidan Nezalezhnosti. The results are disappointing. The functioning of the self-proclaimed government is stymied. The economy is in doldrums. The government’s policy has resulted in mass impoverishment of people. Nothing good can be said about the leadership of the country where it seems that the only promising political figure is notorious Mikheil Saakashvili, the man with deeply tarnished reputation. The statement made by Ukraine’s Prime Minister Yatsenyuk about Russia not getting favourable treatment in debt restructuring process sounds rather rude. Financiers perceive it as a severe form of a mental illness. German Finanzmarktwelt writes that it is something unheard of, when a debtor tells a money lender when to refuse the claims, otherwise the debtor will launch a lawsuit. «How come it is possible?», the newspaper . . . MORE>> Click here.

Note chemtrail in background. (--Sputnk/AFP/ John Thys)

France Condemned Turkey's Downing of Russian Su-24 During NATO Council / Sputnik / November 27, 2015 / Paris spoke harshly about the downing of a Russian Su-24 warplane by Turkey during the discussions at a NATO Council meeting on November 24, a diplomatic source said Friday. / ATHENS (Sputnik) — Following the incident, NATO expressed solidarity with Turkey and offered support for Ankara saying that the Alliance's assessments of the incident were consistent with information provided by the country, which claimed that the Russian warplane had briefly violated Turkish airspace. "Greece was the first to address the council, it set the tone for the discussion, because Turkish aircraft constantly violate the Greek airspace. Then the French representative made a harsh speech," the source told RIA Novosti, adding that NATO's support was not unanimous. According to the source, the representative of France said that the Turkish activities were undermining the operation against the Islamic State militant group. [More background at source.]

Paul Vallely

US General: Turkey Should Be Kicked Out of NATO / Sputnik / November 27, 2015 / Turkey pursues its own interests in the Syrian conflict and it is not cooperating with NATO or other forces in the region, a retired US Army Major General Paul Vallely said in an interview with RT. The downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber by the Turkish air force will hardly be the last act of provocation by Ankara, so NATO should kick Turkey out of the alliance, Vallely said. He believes that the attack on the Russian aircraft had nothing to do with protecting national borders. It was aimed at demonstrating to Russia that Turkey is the dominant power in the region and that it's not going to give ground. The president of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been involved in the conflict in the area for quite some time, and this incident isn't the first of its kind: a few years ago Turkey shot down a Syrian jet. According to Vallely, the Su-24 incident was a clear provocation. And since Turkey seeks to control the situation in the region and lays claim to being a regional leader, it is going to continue to commit provocative actions in the future. NATO should consider this incident a red flag, the retired Major General stressed. Turkey unilaterally made a decision to down a Russian plane and showed that it is not going to agree its actions with the alliance. This has been Ankara's policy for a long time. "They want to recreate their own Ottoman Empire to a great degree, and of course Erdogan is moving more towards a controlled Islamic State [ISIL]. So they have the wrong agenda there in Turkey and that's what they are following", — Vallely noted. NATO member states should build up steam and push Turkey out of the alliance, because Ankara is not "cooperating against ISIS, not cooperating at all with some of the forces inside of Syria, they want to see Assad removed or replaced by another government," Vallely said. Turkey only uses NATO when it needs something and tries to benefit from the membership as much as it can. The country gets operational guides, techniques, new weapons and equipment, new tactics and strategies. Yet Erdogan continues to pursue only his own interests, he argued. The incident is not a good omen for Europe, or for the Middle East, or for NATO, Vallely concluded. Editor's note: Vallely has long been a dissenter regarding Obama's Muslim Brotherhood support, as is reported in the following article: Ret. General Drops Bombshell: Obama Should Be Arrested For This ‘Treasonous Activity’ (June 23, 2015) Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Paul E. Vallely stated recently during a radio interview that President Obama should be “arrested for treasonous activities.” Vallely, while a guest on the Real Side radio program earlier this month, stated above anything else that Obama should be held accountable for his sympathies for the Muslim Brotherhood in particular and his actions regarding the Benghazi tragedy. The retired general said one group that should hold the president’s feet to the fire are high-ranking members of the military.... He noted that the group he helps lead, the Citizens Commission on Benghazi, counts at least fourteen different actions the president has taken that could be considered treasonous. The general listed bringing the Muslim Brotherhood into the White House, supporting the Muslim Brotherhood against President el-Sisi in Egypt, supporting the Muslim Brotherhood in Libya, and supporting the Muslim Brotherhood’s operations in Syria among the acts amounting to treason. . . MORE>> Click here.

Vladimir Putin, Francois Hollande, Moscow, Nov 2015

No more 'Mr. Nice Guy': Moscow's firm and swift response forever changes the Grand Chessboard / by Stevan Gajic, Institute of European Studies, Belgrade, Serbia / Fort Russ / November 27, 2015 / Moscow's firm and swift response forever changes the Grand Chessboard. The French appeared to vacillate, unable to get firm assurances from their Atlanticist partners in DC. Has this pushed Hollande towards Putin? Events unfolded very quickly after the Turkish F16 fighter jet downed a Russian SU24 bomber over the Syrian territory, close to Turkish border. The act was characterised by Russian president Vladimir Putin as “backstabbing” on the part of the Turks. Russian authorities and the public are especially enraged because of the death of one of the pilots, and even more so by the videos of one of the pilot’s body being treated with utter disrespect by the Turkmen terrorists in Northern Syria - one of the groups that is well known for being backed by Turkey. It seems that for Russia, the red line was crossed and it will not tolerate any harm to its forces without serious consequences and retaliation. To prove their money is where their mouth is, the Russian planes have fiercely bombed the region of Syria where the particular group of terrorists were located, and immediately deployed the notorious S400 anti-aircraft defence systems in their Khmeimim air base near the Syrian city of Latakia. This system immediately changed the balance of powers in the region as its range of fire well surpasses the territory of Syria. Needless to say that other consequences such as an economic embargo were put in place by the Russian authorities, ranging from poultry imports and gas deals, to tourism. So why did Recep Tayyip Erdoğan make this move? One reason might be the fear of the Russian-Iranian alliance that was made public in Teheran only a day before the Russian bomber was shot. Another might be that Russia destroyed about a 1000 “ISIS” oil trucks and a an oil refinery which was a great source of cheep oil for Turkey, and some sources say Erdoğan’s family as well. Or maybe Turkey wanted to retaliate for its F4 airplane that was shot over Syria by the Syrian Arab Army three years ago. Whatever the reason, it seems the Turks regret what they have done as their latest official statements became more apologetic, but not sufficiently, and Moscow will not settle for anything less than a clear apology. But what is more important is that Turkey officially announced its fighter aircraft will not patrol the Syrian border anymore, obviously fearing the S400 might shoot one of them. The Turks also did not calculate another variable before they decided to strike. After the Paris carnage, France seems to be back on track with its good relations with Russia. Only couple of months ago, they were in a diplomatic struggle over the Mistral boat deal and economic sanctions imposed on Russia. But after the Paris tragedy, Francois Hollande is trying to make up, and join the war against the Islamists and even forget about the anti-Assad rhetoric. Turkey received cold shoulder treatment from its allies too. NATO’s support for Turkey doesn’t go all the way, as the North Atlantic alliance has already showed reluctance to fight on the Turkish side in a possible Russia-Turkish war, and NATO withdrew some of their Patriot rockets from Turkey only two months ago. At the same time the UK has changed its position significantly and plans to fight the Islamists actively now. This might have something to do with David Cameron’s recent visit to China where he signed a number of large business deals with the emerging Asian empire. The real question is, did the US leave Turkey to fry, and maybe led it to confront Russia, only to witness the consequences and take no part in further events? Or maybe the US are simply not getting their hands dirty, and want to fight Russia in a chain of proxy wars to the last Turk, Ukrainian or German (as George Friedman suggested[1]), as in the “good ol' days” of the 1980’s Soviet Afghanistan war. What ever the reasons, Turkey is about to face grave consequences for its actions. Events flow in linear fashion, in one direction: Turkey cannot take back what it has done, and Russia's responses, as well as those surely to come on top of these, have forever changed the geopolitical game. If that was NATO's goal, then perhaps it succeeded - but as a result, Moscow has been given a free hand to act, and is now holding most of the cards.
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Thursday, November 26, 2015

(--worldbulletin.net/AFP/ Anatoli Stepanov)

UAF continues to shell Donetsk; fire fights resumed at Spartak / Translated by J. Arnoldski / Fort Russ / November 26, 2015 / Despite yesterday’s statements on the prohibition of firing on the front line which was voiced by Ukrainian media, punitive forces are continuing to shell the outskirts of Donetsk. As DAN and the Ministry of Defense of the DPR reported, yesterday evening at 21:00 the UAF bombarded Kievsky district and damaged a residential home. “Yesterday evening at 21:00, Ukrainian security forces opened fire on the Kievsky district of Donetsk. As a result, a piercing shell hit and damaged a residential home,” the military said. The Information Agency Novorossia’s sources added that around the same time a thick fire fight was resumed in Spartak district. The UAF shelled the positions of Donbass defenders with automatic grenade launchers. The Ukrainian military did not calm down by morning. The head of the Yasinovataya city administration, Yurii Ynenko, stated that the UAF opened mortar fire on the surroundings of the Donetsk-North railway station in the Yasinovataya district of the DPR. As a result, a residential home was burned down. “Around 6:00 in the morning, the outskirts of Yasinovataya near the Donetsk-North station were shelled with mortars. A hit on a private home was recorded and employees of the Ministry for Emergency Situations arrived at the scene, and the fire was extinguished,” Yanenko reported.


Ukrainians Shell Donetsk Today - Twitter Report As It Happens / Quemado Institute / November 26, 2015 / There are reports on Twitter today at about 20:00 UTC that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are shelling Donetsk. Well-known pro-Donbass source Enrico Ivanov tweets: "Breaking! Ukrainian shellings on Donetsk Oktyabrsky district!" An unfriendly source in the area, who is nevertheless reliable, tweets: "20:10 Donetsk Kirovsky district: Very perceptible heavy shots south-westward, not close ones. / 20:18 Donetsk Again rumble of a heavy salvo, from the same position. / 20:19 Donetsk One can hear tanks and machine guns from Putilovka-Spartak toward airport direction for 30 minutes so far. / 20:27 Donetsk center, since 19:30 firing is audible, pretty loud shooting and explosions, now closer yet further. / 20:27 Donetsk: I can hear booms and assault rifles from Smolyanka or Azotny direction. / 20:28 Donetsk Zaperevalna doesn't cease, either cannons or tanks. / 20:31 Donetsk Proletarsky Machine guns far off and periodic salvos at 20:24-20:27. / / Panfilova-Vishnevskogo St: machine guns are loud and frequent, in pauses some blasts. / Zaperevalna: non-stop cannons or tanks (salvos) / Heavy salvos are heard north-westward. / Loudly all around, tanks, cannons, MG-ARs. / Ah, it boomed once again hell strongly. / Rumbling lasts, still that loud. / 20:42 Donetsk center, I went home, even being in apartment I can hear artillery clearly. / 20:44 Donetsk: Ongoing battle near the airport."

Denis Pushilin (--DAN)

Statement by Denis Pushilin on Double Standards of Turkish Authorities / DAN / Edited autotranslation / November 26, 2015 / The situation surrounding the Syrian conflict, as well as the attitude of the Turkish Government toward the terrorists of the LIH [sic] increasingly resembles the principles of the policy of double standards. Turkish diplomats have repeatedly stated the importance of counter-terrorism and anti-LIH, while voicing disagreement with the actions of the Russian Federation in Syria during videoconferences. And the fact that the Turkish fighter jet shot down a Russian Su-24, which took part in anti-terrorist operations in Syria and was not a threat to Turkey, is direct proof. Such actions of the Turkish government can be regarded as an unceremonious violation of all norms of international law. We are completely in agreement with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the majority of Russians who negatively regard the policy of double standards in relation to Turkey's terrorists and the situation in the Middle East. Who, if not the inhabitants of the Donetsk People's Republic, know better what the policy of double standards is, when the US and Europe greet with enthusiastic shouts the "dignity revolution" in Kiev, which, in fact, was a coup d'etat that brought to power the pro-fascist, radical elements, while at the same time, condemning and criticizing the actions of activists in Donbass who are defending their rights and freedoms? When European leaders, over the moans and cries of dying people of Donetsk People's Republic, only hear promises by Poroshenko on the peaceful settlement of the conflict? When we were condemned in absentia and called terrorists just because we dared to resist the trampling of our rights? The policy of double standards and flirting with real terrorists threatens Turkey and all of Europe with disastrous tragic consequences. We call on the international community to learn from history and today's realities. You should not indulge the major geopolitical players to the detriment of their own people. ---Denis Pushilin, chairman of the National Council of the People's Republic of Donetsk.

Alexander Zakharchenko (--DAN)

After Sabotage Against Crimea, Head of DPR Takes Personal Control to Protect Infrastructure / DAN / Edited autotranslation / November 26, 2015 / Head of the DPR Alexander Zakharchenko has taken personal control of the protection of transport and energy security in the Republic after the explosion of transmission lines in the Kherson region of Ukraine. This was reported today to DAN by the Acting Head of the Strategy for Development of Industry Administration Eduard Polyakov. "Additional measures were introducted to strengthen the protection of property. This was done so professionally that Kiev did not even notice. The entire organization of protection is under the personal control of the Head of the DPR," a spokesman said. He added that the implementation of plans to strengthen the security activities regarding infrastructure was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the Emergency Situations Ministry and the DPR Interior Ministry. Earlier, the press service of the Interior Ministry reported that the police stepped up the security of the infrastructure of the Republic in connection with the diversion in the Kherson region, where Ukrainian extremists blew up supports of the high-voltage line providing electricity to Russia's Crimean peninsula. The corresponding decree is already in force.

Turkish Air Force F-16 (-- Flickr/UK Ministry of Defence)

Make No Mistake: Su-24 Downing by Turkey a 'Clear Act of War' – US Author / Sputnik / November 26, 2015 / Make no mistake, US author Stephen Lendman stresses, by downing Russia's Su-24 aircraft Turkey committed a clear act of war against a nonthreatening nation. By striking Russia's Su-24 Turkey has obviously committed an act of aggression against Russia; however, it is highly naive to believe that President Erdogan acted alone, unilaterally deciding to attack the Russian plane, US author and syndicated columnist Stephen Lendman emphasizes. In his latest piece for Global Research Lendman calls attention to the fact that Ankara's obvious lies about the Russian Su-24 entering the Turkish airspace being warned almost "ten times" have been accepted as the truth by Western leaders and NATO officials. "As we have repeatedly made clear, we stand in solidarity with Turkey and support the territorial integrity of our NATO Ally, Turkey," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in an official statement after . . . MORE>> Click here. Editor's Note: Stephen Lendman's article is available at Global Research.

Georgia-Russia checkpoint turns away trucks with Turkish registration / Translated for Fort Russ by Ollie Richardson / Fort Russ / November 26, 2015 / Russian border guards at the checkpoint of "Kazbegi –Upper Lars" haved blocked the passage to Russia via Georgia following the transit of trucks with Turkish plates, according to the correspondent of the newspaper LOOK in Georgia with reference to the news Agency "Pirveli". According to the Agency, hundreds of trucks on the border with the Georgian side have accumulated. Vehicles with other number plates have been allowed to pass through. According to drivers of vehicles with a Turkish registration, the Russian border guards do not explain the reasons for the refusal, however, they attribute the fact that relations between the two countries are going through a difficult time after the attack by Turkish jets on the Russian plane in Syria. Officials in Tbilisi are yet to comment. The checkpoint is in the mountains, temperatures are low, weather conditions are difficult.

Baku, capital of Azerbaijan (--Fort Russ)

Azerbaijan recalls Consul General from Turkey / Translated for Fort Russ by Kristina Rus / Fort Russ / November 26, 2015 / President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree to recall the Consul General of Azerbaijan in Istanbul and at the same time the permanent representative of Azerbaijan in the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, Hasan Zeynalov, reports the official website of the President. Another decree of the President recalled from office the permanent representative of Azerbaijan to the UN office at Geneva and other international organizations, Murad Najafbeyli. *** Kristina Rus: Azerbaijan's two big brothers traditionally have been Russia and Turkey. However, this proud small resource rich nation was not eager to become a Western vassal as it has been pressured to. It has always honored the age old ties with Russia and prefers Russia's approach of mutual cooperation (and its meticulous balancing act in Nagorny Karabah dispute with Armenia) rather then Western approach of domination. Ilham Aliev's latest gesture is a strong move which shows whose side Azerbaijan is on.

Map of Black Sea
(Click to enlarge.)

(--mapsofdallas.blogspot.com)

Detail showing South Ossetia

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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Alexander Zakharchenko (--AZ website)

Head of the DPR: Process of Ukraine's Accession to NATO Not Conducive to Political Settlement / Zakharchenko's official website (in Russian) / Edited autotranslation by Quemado Institute / November 24, 2015 / Poroshenko's answer to the e-petition for a referendum on NATO membership, which attracted only 25 thousand votes from the multi-million Ukrainian people, is puzzling. On the one hand, Poroshenko apparently adheres to democratic procedures, and even suggests that the issue of accession to NATO should be decided by national referendum. But on the other hand, he says that Kiev is heading to increase military cooperation with NATO, which aims toward membership in this organization. That is, the last statement contradicts the first. People should decide, but the government has already decided everything and is rebuilding the army and the entire military infrastructure to NATO standards. This characterizes the position of Kiev post-Maidan pseudo-democratic views on power. For my part, I want to reiterate that the effort of Kiev to join NATO as a military alliance is against the spirit of the Minsk Agreements, because it does not take into account the opinion of Donbass. The process of Ukraine's accession to NATO is not only not conducive to political settlement, but it poses extreme difficulties. I can only confirm that at the beginning of the official process of Ukraine's accession to NATO by Kiev, the Donetsk People's Republic will consider its release from the Minsk process. Thus, Minsk will actually denounce the agreement, and will be communicated to the initiators in Kiev. So I want to warn against imprudent statements by the officials in Kiev, especially regarding such actions that may be irreversible. Let me remind you that Donetsk People's Republic at all levels has repeatedly stated their commitment to the Minsk Agreements and intends to continue to adhere to their letter and spirit. Hopefully, Kiev will also remain within the framework of the Minsk process and will not be engaged in its imitation, and will move from words to deeds. Quemado Institute comments: If our translation is accurate, Zakharchenko has said the DPR will consider exiting the Minsk Agreements if Kiev pursues NATO membership. We have been skeptical of Zakharchenko's ability to act independently of Moscow. This issue poses a critical test. We support Zakharchenko's decision and hope he lives up to his word.

Zakharchenko on the Ideology of Those Responsible for the Republic / Zakharchenko official website (in Russian) / Edited autotranslation / November 23, 2015 / A formulation of the ideology of today is a vital necessity. When fighting broke out, the reason that we got involved was the cause of the negative. We rejected the nationalism of Bandera and fought against fascism. We were all against it. And now we are building a state, and we must understand what we are fighting, and what we aspire to. The question of ideology did not come today. And I feel that it is urgently needed. A country cannot develop without ideology. And I want all to participate in the process of establishing the ideology of our society. Therefore, I decided to consult with students. Why do we fight, what do we want to see next, and what kind of future are we building? These are questions that everyone should ask in their heart. And clearly formulate for themselves the idea, the concept for which they fight. Before meeting with the students of course, I had some preparation. These were the ideas of liberty, conscience, justice, and equality. These are the concepts that now lie at the heart of those things that I think, and I think that these ideas are shared by the majority of our fellow citizens. Moderator: From the perspective of the first letters of the USSR ... Zakharchenko: Yes, you've been paying attention to it ... It is no coincidence. The Soviet Union was the country in which we grew up, in which we lived, in which most of us were happy. There were a lot of good things. It was a continuation of the Russian Empire and a vast reservoir of our history. This is something from which we are all descended. This is the love of country, respect for the army, it is education, it is care for the elderly and children. We have no right to forget the good things that existed in the Soviet Union. Maybe there was a lot of bad advice, but as a way of government, it does not lose its relevance even today. I think we have to take the good things. These are free medicine, free education - the best in the world. America and Europe used our techniques and formed their teaching methods from our experience. We must remember this and these things should be on everyone's tongue. But to talk about a clear understanding of the ideological program is still too early. That discussion, which I initiated in this society, must be reborn in the desire of everyone. To everyone it must be understood what freedom is, what equity is, what justice is, and what conscience is. Everyone knows what conscience is, do they not? Conscience is what we've always wanted. We have always said - live the truth, the truth. For centuries in the minds of any living Russian person is "to live according to conscience." And all the laws that we adopt, we need to pass through the filter of conscience. We have a unique situation, we are building a new state. And you cannot miss the opportunity to build a state on the principle of "living according to conscience." Conscience - this is what we breathe. On the basis of conscience stand all moral principles and norms. This is the criterion that must be held in every human heart. What is justice? This is another measure of conscience. The same equality and freedom. At the heart of these things is conscience. We need to build a country, to be free, fair, equal. And to live honestly!

Oleksandr Turchynov (--novorossia.su)

Turchinov Says He Supports Turkey's Actions in the Case of Su-24 / Novorossia.su / Edited autotranslation / November 25, 2015 / Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov said that the Turkish military has acted correctly in the case of the violation of Turkish airspace by the Russian Su-24. On Tuesday, the Russian Su-24 crashed in Syria. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the plane was shot down by a rocket-type air-to-air [missile] from Turkish F-16 aircraft over Syrian territory, and fell on the territory of Syria, four kilometers from the border with Turkey. The Russian president called it a "stab in the back" by the accomplices of terrorists. "The members of the Turkish Air Force and Air Defence acted professionally, and as the relevant units of any civilized country should act when its sovereign space is violated by the military aircraft of another State," professed Oleksandr Turchynov. "[I]n the case of violations of our airspace by military aircraft,the Ukrainian military should act similarly, defending our country against aggression from the air," added the press service of the Defense Council of Ukraine. Source: RIA Novosti

(--jordantimes.com)

State of emergency in Crimea after right-wing extremists in Ukraine blow up electricity lines to the peninsula / by Roger Annis / NewColdWar.org / November 25, 2015 / Late on November, 21, right-wing extremists in Ukraine severed the four electricity lines which transmit electricity from Ukraine to Crimea. The terrorist attacks, using explosives, cut domestic electricity service to much of Crimea’s population of 2.3 million. Two of the transmission lines were damaged during the night of November 20-21. The coup de grace cutting all service to Crimea was delivered to the other two lines the following night. Photos of downed pylons with Ukrainian or Crimean-Tatar flags hanging on them have been posted online. “Crimea has been completely cut off,” Viktor Plakida director of Crimea’s state energy company, Krymenergo, told TASS Russian news service. A state of emergency has been declared in Crimea. Reserve electricity production using portable gas turbines and diesel generators is assuring electricity service to public institutions, including the national airport at Simferopol, bus and train service and television and radio broadcasting. But most Crimean citizens were left without power at home. Extremists supporting the blasts blocked crews from conducting repairs in the days following. In Kyiv, hundreds of right-wing protesters gathered at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (police) on the evening of the 21st, demanding that a full electricity blockade be instituted against the people of Crimea (video report here). The Ukrainian National Guard did secure at least one of the damaged lines, during the day on Nov 20. Guardsmen confronted violent protesters . . . MORE>> Click here.

(--Sputnik/ Sergey Malgavko)

Russia Vows to Respond if Ukraine Fails to Restore Electricity in Crimea / Sputnik / November 25, 2015 / The speaker of the Russian lower house of parliament, Valentina Matvienko, called the Crimean energy blockade "a terrorist act". / MOSCOW / Russia is devising retaliatory measures if Ukraine does not restore electricity in Russia’s Crimea, the speaker of the Russian lower house of parliament, Valentina Matvienko, said Wednesday. Up to 2.5 million Crimeans were left without electricity over the weekend when explosions downed several transmission towers in southern Ukraine, according to Russia's Emergencies Ministry. "If Ukraine does not restore Crimea’s power supply, we will be forced to respond with adequate measures. Such measures are being developed," Matvienko told reporters. The senior lawmaker said the influence of radical nationalist factions on Ukrainian leadership reminded her of a "rudderless ship," citing the lack of search operations for the culprits and no repair works underway. "This is not provocation, this is a terrorist act," she stressed. A state of emergency has been declared in the Black Sea peninsula following the blackout, switching to local emergency power generators. Supporters of the Crimean energy blockade are continuing to prevent police and repair crew access to the damaged electrical facilities.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Obama and Erdogan agreed to destroy Russian plane at G20 / Translated for Fort Russ by Ollie Richardson / Fort Russ / November 25, 2015 / In the Arab media information is in circulation that the plan to destroy the Russian Su-24 aircraft was clearly spelled out between the leaders of the US and Turkey. It is reported in particular by Gerasa News. According to the newspaper, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan allegedly received support from U.S. President Barack Obama with a plan to shoot down the aircraft of the Russian Federation on the border with Syria. The compromising information in the Arab media was received from a source in the presidential administration of the USA. Also, reports in the Arab media stated that the moment for the su-24 decision was taken by Obama and Erdogan at the summit of "G20" in Antalya.

Turkish President Erdogan's son lunches with ISIS leaders.

SU-24 Shootdown Planned: Erdogan Supports Islamic State – Opinion / Alex Zot’ev: Moment of Truth Arrives: the Mask is Dropped / Integrative*Mind (Source: Novorossia.su) / Autotranslation (unedited) / November 25, 2015 / Turkey yesterday’s demarche has opened many eyes to what is happening in the region. Russian aircraft shot down VCS, performing a combat mission to destroy the militants LIH (the organization’s activities in the Russian Federation is prohibited) on the territory of Syria, Turkish authorities finally put everything accents. Russian Su-24 was shot down in Syrian airspace, it is acknowledged by all, with the exception of Turkey. Thus today it can be argued that the campaign for the destruction of the Russian bomber was well planned and prepared. Speaking Russian, Erdogan knew what he is and is able to foresee the consequences. Given how serious they may be, we can assume that the stakes are very high. The attack on our aircraft has allowed high-ranking Russian politicians, including President Vladimir Putin openly accuse Turkey . . . MORE>> Click here.


Interview with rescued Russian Su24 Pilot (Video) / By Ollie Richardson / Fort Russ / November 25, 2015 / After being shot down by a Turkish F-16, the pilot was rescued by the Syrian Arab Army, escorted for 2 hours, before finally making it back to the airbase in Latakia. It is a miracle that he was not shot and killed as he descended in his parachute. One thing is for sure, the Turkish narrative of the events is dubious at best. We hope this man will be gifted the opportunity to exact revenge on the ISIS-supporting assailants. [VIDEO at source, no subtitles.]

Hollande, Erdogan

NATO is harbouring the Islamic State. Why France’s brave new war on ISIS is a sick joke and an insult to the victims of the Paris attacks / by Nafeez Ahmed / NewColdWar.org / November 25, 2015 / The 13th November Paris massacre will be remembered, like 9/11, as a defining moment in world history. The murder of 129 people, the injury of 352 more, by ‘Islamic State’ (ISIS) acolytes striking multiple targets simultaneously in the heart of Europe, mark a major sea-change in the terror threat. For the first time, a Mumbai-style attack has occurred on Western soil — the worst attack on Europe in decades. As such, it has triggered a seemingly commensurate response from France: the declaration of a nationwide state of emergency, the likes of which have not been seen since the 1961 Algerian war. ISIS has followed up with threats to attack Washington and New York City. Meanwhile, President Hollande wants European Union leaders to suspend the Schengen Agreement on open borders to allow dramatic restrictions on freedom of movement across Europe. He also demands the EU-wide adoption of the Passenger Name Records (PNR) system allowing intelligence services to meticulously track the travel patterns of Europeans, along with an extension of the state of emergency to at least three months. Under the extension, French police can now block any website, put people under house arrest without trial, search homes without a warrant, and prevent suspects from meeting others deemed a threat. “We know that more attacks are being prepared, not just against France but also against other European countries,” said the French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. “We are going to live with this terrorist threat for a long time.” Hollande plans to strengthen the powers of police and security services under . . . MORE>> Click here.


Fight Against Terror: Germany Faces Hard Choices / by Natalia Meden / Strategic Culture Foundation / November 25, 2015 / Right after the Paris terrorist attacks, anti-terrorist operations were launched in France – the country living under state of emergency – as well as some other European states. It became evident that the Schengen zone is vulnerable. Belgium and Germany, the neighboring countries located near the «French hotbed», were the first to react. It’s not only geography. What is more important is the assessment of the potential threats by their governments. Germany is threatened from within. Around 43,000 people (German citizens) are part of Islamist circles in Germany Holger Munch, the president of the German Federal Criminal Police Office . . . MORE>> Click here.
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