Russia declares war on Ukraine. Live updates from inside Ukraine

In E Ukraine today:

- Donetsk SBU building seized by separatists;
- Horlivka Police HQ seized also;
- Luhansk army recruiting center under siege, as seen from the live streams.

LE: The governor's office in Donetsk was also attacked and people looted the place.

In this extremely dangerous escalation of violence I really begin to wonder:

Why has the United Nations Security Council not really discussed sending in an international peace keeping force?

If the greatest priority here for both the west and Russia is to prevent further bloodshed, why allow Ukraine to carry out continued military operations and give the Russians their excuse to invade?

Obviously the bilateral accords of Geneva were a failure. This is precisely the time where the UN should intervene.

a reply to: ALoveSupreme

Because Russia could veto it, and nothing would happen, as usual when the UN is involved.

@PaulaSlier_RT: A siren went off in #Konstantinovka. Ukrainian attack is looming. Men are barricading the entrances to the town.

@EuromaidanPR: Shooting is heard in #Konstantinovka, #Donetsk oblast.Local citizens say about landing of troops @novostidnua | EMPR t.co...

@PaulaSlier_RT: All roads in #Konstantinovka are blocked with barricades. Activists are saying they are ready to defend the town.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: ALoveSupreme

Because Russia could veto it, and nothing would happen, as usual when the UN is involved.

Thus proving Russia's disingenuous intentions!

If the Kremlin's aim is really to protect ethnic Russians from the scourge of neo-nazis as they profess, they should be in total support of an International peace keeping force.



If they veto such a motion, then they betray their true intentions once and for all. It would back them into a very difficult diplomatic corner and finally call their bluff, no?

a reply to: ALoveSupreme

Sure, but what if they get China to do it in return for a later favor on something else? China says "Hey, we don't need to interfere in this. This is between former allies and none of our business" and passes the veto along.

This is interesting:

People in Ukraine's Odessa died instantly, poisoned by unknown substance - report

"I was at the accident scene and saw a great number of dead people. It was evident that they died instantly, very quickly," the agency quoted Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Yarema as saying.

"This means that some substance burned which generated gas and this gas quickly affected people who lost consciousness and died on the spot," Yarema told journalists at a briefing in Odessa, RIA reports.

He said the examination of bodies will be carried out to identify the gas.

@PaulaSlier_RT: Self-defence units set tyres ablaze in #Konstantinovka to prevent pro-Ukranian forces from entering the town.

Sounds like troops are landing from helicopters if the reports on Twitter are correct.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: ALoveSupreme

Sure, but what if they get China to do it in return for a later favor on something else? China says "Hey, we don't need to interfere in this. This is between former allies and none of our business" and passes the veto along.

Oh yes, China might likely obstruct such a measure. Their consistent policy of 'non-interference' is well established, effectively destroying the effectiveness of the UN's original charter.

But would China really not cooperate if the USA, UK, France and Russia all wanted this (assuming Ukraine's additional acquiescence)?

I cannot help but think that the West is also being disingenuous here because they have not introduced such a resolution. Maybe because they know such a peacekeeping mission would likely lead to partition and breakup of the country?

It seems the West and Russia are playing a dangerous, winner take all game with Ukrainians citizenry caught in the middle. The main difference is that Russia is continuously willing to up the bet and thus the potential danger.

Best wishes to the people of Ukraine - on all sides. It looks like a situation that most of us would not want to be in, and I truly hope that something comes out of it that is somehow for the best.

Ladies and gents,

A more stable stream from Luhansk - Ukrainian military base.

Not much going on. Just men walking around.

Video from Luhansk, the storming of the army recruitment center. It looks as if it were recorded with a potato, but gunfire can be very clearly heard:

originally posted by: SurrenderingAmerica

This is interesting:

People in Ukraine's Odessa died instantly, poisoned by unknown substance - report

"I was at the accident scene and saw a great number of dead people. It was evident that they died instantly, very quickly," the agency quoted Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Yarema as saying.

"This means that some substance burned which generated gas and this gas quickly affected people who lost consciousness and died on the spot," Yarema told journalists at a briefing in Odessa, RIA reports.

He said the examination of bodies will be carried out to identify the gas.

Curious. Wonder what made him say that beyond the time factor.

I think death from smoke inhalation is pretty quick (usually only a few minutes).

a reply to: ALoveSupreme

All Russia would have to do is abstain, since they're involved. Just say "Since we're involved, it's not right for us to vote." and that clears the way for their play to happen.

Then in a few months, or a year, they return the favor they owe China, possibly in the form of technical support for the Chinese Sukhois, or something along those lines.

Another example of Russian propaganda and distortion of facts:

Russian Embassy, UAE ‏@RusEmbassyUAE

PT Ultra-nationalists in #Odessa seized fire-truck on its way to save people from burning Trade unions house #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/cpAZmo78BA

pic.twitter.com/cpAZmo78BA

At the time this firetruck was used by members of the pro-Ukraine rally to get to the pro-Russian protesters, events were taking place at a different place than the House of Trade Unions and hours earlier....

I seen that same Facebook message on a few other Facebook profiles. In my opinion these profiles are 'fake' and set up by Russia's FSB.

a reply to: ALoveSupreme

There's probably other indications that we're not aware of & perhaps reports from the survivors.

I do know that there were pro-kiev supporters that were also killed in that fire.


Time will tell.

@DimaMiryan: In #Konstantinovka, there is a fight for the TV-Tower between #Ukraine's forces and separatists. Latter use rocket launchers.

Those army surplus stores must be doing big business...

originally posted by: Zaphod58
a reply to: ALoveSupreme

All Russia would have to do is abstain, since they're involved. Just say "Since we're involved, it's not right for us to vote." and that clears the way for their play to happen.

Then in a few months, or a year, they return the favor they owe China, possibly in the form of technical support for the Chinese Sukhois, or something along those lines.

I am as cynical as you are about the UN. We should all be after the events of the past 20 years.

However, I cannot help but think such a move might better crystalize foreign policy positions, particularly Russia's.

The Kremlin would have to stop asking to have everything both ways--saying that Eastern Ukraine is innately a domain of Russia while claiming that they have no influence over the highly coordinated separatists there.

Furthermore, forcing such a position might damage the unprecedented doublespeak of Russia's propaganda machine which is a big factor right now. No matter how absurd the logic or erroneous the facts--day after day of Russian media reporting the exact opposite of other International media--there are people on this website, but more importantly in Russia and Ukraine who believe their lies.