Exclusive: Ukraine Firefight Caught On Video

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Ukraine Gun Battle Caught On Camera

Sky News has obtained exclusive video of a prolonged gun battle between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government troops close to the besieged eastern town of Debaltseve.

It was shot by a television crew who were with rebel forces and interviewing a prisoner of war when the sound of heavy gunfire erupts nearby.

The rebels are then filmed using assault rifles to shoot through windows before some open fire outside.

At least one fighter attacks the pro-Kiev forces with rocket propelled grenades.

The footage emerged as hundreds of Ukrainian troops pulled out from Debaltseve following battles with pro-Russian forces.

Separatist forces claim to have taken control of Debaltseve

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko has said his soldiers had left in a "planned and organised withdrawal" from the strategically important area.

A Russian TV station showed separatists hoisting their flag over a building as they seized the railway hub in defiance of a ceasefire brokered by France and Germany.

1/25

1. Gallery: Ukraine Troops Leave Debaltseve

   Pro-Russian separatists take position near the eastern Ukrainian city of Uglegorsk, 6 kms southwest of Debaltseve

Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, Donetsk region, launch missiles from Grad launch vehicles

]]>

Pro-Russian separatists patrol a street in the eastern Ukrainian city of Makeyevka

]]>

Ukrainian troops pulled out of the besieged flashpoint eastern town Debaltseve after it was stormed by pro-Russian rebels in what the EU said was a "clear violation" of an internationally-backed truce

]]>

President Petro Poroshenko said 80% of units had left the town, in order to comply with the current ceasefire

]]>

Some 2,000 pro-government forces have been fighting there but Mr Poroshenko denied claims the troops were encircled, and said they were leaving with weapons and ammunition.

However, some troops were believed to be trapped in the town, which links the two rebel-controlled regions in the east of Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk.

Sky's Stuart Ramsay spoke to a Ukrainian commander who said there were still pro-Kiev troops inside but they had put down their weapons.

At least 22 Ukrainian troops have been killed and over 150 were wounded in the fighting in recent days.

A rebel military spokesman, Eduard Basurin, reportedly told Russian television that more than 300 Ukrainian soldiers had surrendered.

Kiev has admitted that soldiers have been taken prisoner, but has not said how many.

Journalists reported seeing dozens of tanks and vehicles carrying haggard soldiers leaving for the nearby town of Artemivsk.

Video: Ukrainian Army Leaves Debaltseve

One soldier spoke of heavy government losses, while another said they had not been able to get food or water because of the intense rebel shelling.

President Poroshenko went to the front line at Artemivsk to meet soldiers after he ordered the Debaltseve withdrawal.

Praising Ukrainian forces for "really socking it" to the separatists, he said he was going there "for the great honour of shaking hands with our heroes".

The 10-month conflict has left more than 5,000 people dead, and Ukraine accuses Russia of supporting and arming the rebels, a claim Moscow denies.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Ukraine to admit defeat in Debaltseve, saying "the only choice" of the troops was to "leave behind weaponry, lay down arms and surrender."

Separatists have reportedly started to withdraw heavy weapons from areas they control in eastern Ukraine where the ceasefire was holding.

The rebels say the agreement negotiated by Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France last week does not apply to Debaltseve.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: Teenager Found Guilty Of Preparing Terror Act
2. NATO Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bomber
3. Russia A 'Real And Present Danger' To NATO States
4. Victim Says 'Lock Up' Racist Chelsea Fans
5. Breaking News: Greece Loan Plan: EU Told Take It Or Leave It

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Ukraine Gun Battle Caught On Camera

Sky News has obtained exclusive video of a prolonged gun battle between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government troops close to the besieged eastern town of Debaltseve.

It was shot by a television crew who were with rebel forces and interviewing a prisoner of war when the sound of heavy gunfire erupts nearby.

The rebels are then filmed using assault rifles to shoot through windows before some open fire outside.

At least one fighter attacks the pro-Kiev forces with rocket propelled grenades.

The footage emerged as hundreds of Ukrainian troops pulled out from Debaltseve following battles with pro-Russian forces.

Separatist forces claim to have taken control of Debaltseve

Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko has said his soldiers had left in a "planned and organised withdrawal" from the strategically important area.

A Russian TV station showed separatists hoisting their flag over a building as they seized the railway hub in defiance of a ceasefire brokered by France and Germany.

1/25

1. Gallery: Ukraine Troops Leave Debaltseve

   Pro-Russian separatists take position near the eastern Ukrainian city of Uglegorsk, 6 kms southwest of Debaltseve

Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, Donetsk region, launch missiles from Grad launch vehicles

]]>

Pro-Russian separatists patrol a street in the eastern Ukrainian city of Makeyevka

]]>

Ukrainian troops pulled out of the besieged flashpoint eastern town Debaltseve after it was stormed by pro-Russian rebels in what the EU said was a "clear violation" of an internationally-backed truce

]]>

President Petro Poroshenko said 80% of units had left the town, in order to comply with the current ceasefire

]]>

Some 2,000 pro-government forces have been fighting there but Mr Poroshenko denied claims the troops were encircled, and said they were leaving with weapons and ammunition.

However, some troops were believed to be trapped in the town, which links the two rebel-controlled regions in the east of Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk.

Sky's Stuart Ramsay spoke to a Ukrainian commander who said there were still pro-Kiev troops inside but they had put down their weapons.

At least 22 Ukrainian troops have been killed and over 150 were wounded in the fighting in recent days.

A rebel military spokesman, Eduard Basurin, reportedly told Russian television that more than 300 Ukrainian soldiers had surrendered.

Kiev has admitted that soldiers have been taken prisoner, but has not said how many.

Journalists reported seeing dozens of tanks and vehicles carrying haggard soldiers leaving for the nearby town of Artemivsk.

Video: Ukrainian Army Leaves Debaltseve

One soldier spoke of heavy government losses, while another said they had not been able to get food or water because of the intense rebel shelling.

President Poroshenko went to the front line at Artemivsk to meet soldiers after he ordered the Debaltseve withdrawal.

Praising Ukrainian forces for "really socking it" to the separatists, he said he was going there "for the great honour of shaking hands with our heroes".

The 10-month conflict has left more than 5,000 people dead, and Ukraine accuses Russia of supporting and arming the rebels, a claim Moscow denies.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Ukraine to admit defeat in Debaltseve, saying "the only choice" of the troops was to "leave behind weaponry, lay down arms and surrender."

Separatists have reportedly started to withdraw heavy weapons from areas they control in eastern Ukraine where the ceasefire was holding.

The rebels say the agreement negotiated by Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France last week does not apply to Debaltseve.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: Teenager Found Guilty Of Preparing Terror Act
2. NATO Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bomber
3. Russia A 'Real And Present Danger' To NATO States
4. Victim Says 'Lock Up' Racist Chelsea Fans
5. Breaking News: Greece Loan Plan: EU Told Take It Or Leave It

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Russia A 'Real And Present Danger' To NATO States

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

A Russian 'Bear' intercepted by the RAF in October (Pic: Crown)

There is a "real and present danger" Russia could repeat its covert campaigns in the Crimea and Ukraine to destablise former Soviet bloc countries, the Defence Secretary has warned.

Michael Fallon said NATO must be ready for Russian aggression against alliance members including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

He warned the action could involve using irregular troops, cyber attacks and inflaming tensions with ethnic Russian minorities.

"NATO has to be ready for any kind of aggression from Russia, whatever form it takes. NATO is getting ready," he said.

Mr Fallon added that he was worried about Russian President Vladimir Putin's "pressure on the Baltics".

Last night RAF jets intercepted two Russian Tu-95 bombers off the coast of Cornwall. The incident comes two weeks after jets were scrambled to see off a similar Russian plane which flew down the English Channel off the coast of Bournemouth.

Mr Putin's behaviour is 'unacceptable', the Defence Secretary said

"It is the first time since the height of the Cold War that has happened and it just shows you the need to respond each time he does something like that," said Mr Fallon.

Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said: "They came down the west coast of Ireland and were met by RAF typhoons which had been scrambled from RAF Coningsby.

1/7

1. Gallery: Nov 1: RAF Redirects Russia Bombers

   Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian military 'Bear' bombers for the second time in a week, it has emerged (Pic: MoD)

The aircraft were were sent up from RAF Lossiemouth on Friday, 31 October, to escort the Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft (Pic: MoD)

]]>

On Wednesday, 29 October, RAF Typhoon fighter jets intercepted another two Russian bombers over the North Sea (Pic: MoD)

]]>

This image taken by one of the RAF fighters during the 29 October incident shows another Typhoon tailing the Russian aircraft (Pic: MoD)

]]>

The intercepts come amid what NATO described as an "unusual level of activity". (Pic: Norwegian army)

]]>

"These aircraft regularly 'buzz' British airspace; not coming into British airspace, because that would be a violation, but coming very close. This is a game, they did it thousands of times during the Cold War.

"There have been three times as many of these flights coming close to European airspace recently. It's a game Russia plays but its playing it because it's being more aggressive."

Video has also emerged showing NATO jets flying within yards of two Russian Tu-95 bombers, believed to have been shot in January.

The film was shot from the Russian plane and shows three RAF Typhoons and a French fighter jet apparently escorting the Russian plane as it flew close to UK airspace.

David Cameron has urged Europe to tell Russia it faces economic and financial consequences for "years to come" if it continues to destabilise Ukraine.

Video: Ukrainian Troops Leave Debaltseve

"Those Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine, they are using Russian rocket launchers, Russian tanks, Russian artillery, you can't buy this equipment on eBay.

"It hasn't come from somewhere else, it's come from Russia and we know that.

"There's a temptation for every European country to say 'Let's go on trading exactly as we have done with Russia, let's leave responsibility for what is happening in Ukraine to someone else and let's turn away'. I am afraid that would be a terrible mistake."

But the Government has been accused by a parliamentary inquiry of "sleep-walking" into the Ukraine crisis.

The EU Committee of House of Lords found there had "catastrophic misreading" of mood by European diplomats in the run-up to the stand-off between Russia and the West.

1/25

1. Gallery: Ukraine Troops Leave Debaltseve

   Pro-Russian separatists take position near the eastern Ukrainian city of Uglegorsk, 6 kms southwest of Debaltseve

Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, Donetsk region, launch missiles from Grad launch vehicles

]]>

Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has demanded the release of all Ukrainians taken prisoner in the conflict, including those captured in the town of Debaltseve.

During phone calls to Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande he added that the rebel seizure of Debaltseve this week had been contrary to ceasefire agreement they reached last week.

Ukrainian military leaders have claimed pro-Russian rebels have launched mortar attacks on the village of Shyrokine about 30km (19 miles) from the coastal town of Mariupol and are building up their forces in the region.

"There is no attempt to seize our positions up to now. The rebels are bringing up reserves," the spokesman said.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: Teenager Found Guilty Of Preparing Terror Act
2. NATO Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bomber
3. Victim Says 'Lock Up' Racist Chelsea Fans
4. Breaking News: Greece Loan Plan: EU Told Take It Or Leave It
5. Islamic State Leader Used To Work As Secretary

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

A Russian 'Bear' intercepted by the RAF in October (Pic: Crown)

There is a "real and present danger" Russia could repeat its covert campaigns in the Crimea and Ukraine to destablise former Soviet bloc countries, the Defence Secretary has warned.

Michael Fallon said NATO must be ready for Russian aggression against alliance members including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

He warned the action could involve using irregular troops, cyber attacks and inflaming tensions with ethnic Russian minorities.

"NATO has to be ready for any kind of aggression from Russia, whatever form it takes. NATO is getting ready," he said.

Mr Fallon added that he was worried about Russian President Vladimir Putin's "pressure on the Baltics".

Last night RAF jets intercepted two Russian Tu-95 bombers off the coast of Cornwall. The incident comes two weeks after jets were scrambled to see off a similar Russian plane which flew down the English Channel off the coast of Bournemouth.

Mr Putin's behaviour is 'unacceptable', the Defence Secretary said

"It is the first time since the height of the Cold War that has happened and it just shows you the need to respond each time he does something like that," said Mr Fallon.

Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said: "They came down the west coast of Ireland and were met by RAF typhoons which had been scrambled from RAF Coningsby.

1/7

1. Gallery: Nov 1: RAF Redirects Russia Bombers

   Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled to intercept Russian military 'Bear' bombers for the second time in a week, it has emerged (Pic: MoD)

The aircraft were were sent up from RAF Lossiemouth on Friday, 31 October, to escort the Soviet-era Tupolev Tu-95 aircraft (Pic: MoD)

]]>

On Wednesday, 29 October, RAF Typhoon fighter jets intercepted another two Russian bombers over the North Sea (Pic: MoD)

]]>

This image taken by one of the RAF fighters during the 29 October incident shows another Typhoon tailing the Russian aircraft (Pic: MoD)

]]>

The intercepts come amid what NATO described as an "unusual level of activity". (Pic: Norwegian army)

]]>

"These aircraft regularly 'buzz' British airspace; not coming into British airspace, because that would be a violation, but coming very close. This is a game, they did it thousands of times during the Cold War.

"There have been three times as many of these flights coming close to European airspace recently. It's a game Russia plays but its playing it because it's being more aggressive."

Video has also emerged showing NATO jets flying within yards of two Russian Tu-95 bombers, believed to have been shot in January.

The film was shot from the Russian plane and shows three RAF Typhoons and a French fighter jet apparently escorting the Russian plane as it flew close to UK airspace.

David Cameron has urged Europe to tell Russia it faces economic and financial consequences for "years to come" if it continues to destabilise Ukraine.

Video: Ukrainian Troops Leave Debaltseve

"Those Russian-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine, they are using Russian rocket launchers, Russian tanks, Russian artillery, you can't buy this equipment on eBay.

"It hasn't come from somewhere else, it's come from Russia and we know that.

"There's a temptation for every European country to say 'Let's go on trading exactly as we have done with Russia, let's leave responsibility for what is happening in Ukraine to someone else and let's turn away'. I am afraid that would be a terrible mistake."

But the Government has been accused by a parliamentary inquiry of "sleep-walking" into the Ukraine crisis.

The EU Committee of House of Lords found there had "catastrophic misreading" of mood by European diplomats in the run-up to the stand-off between Russia and the West.

1/25

1. Gallery: Ukraine Troops Leave Debaltseve

   Pro-Russian separatists take position near the eastern Ukrainian city of Uglegorsk, 6 kms southwest of Debaltseve

Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka, Donetsk region, launch missiles from Grad launch vehicles

]]>

Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has demanded the release of all Ukrainians taken prisoner in the conflict, including those captured in the town of Debaltseve.

During phone calls to Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel and Francois Hollande he added that the rebel seizure of Debaltseve this week had been contrary to ceasefire agreement they reached last week.

Ukrainian military leaders have claimed pro-Russian rebels have launched mortar attacks on the village of Shyrokine about 30km (19 miles) from the coastal town of Mariupol and are building up their forces in the region.

"There is no attempt to seize our positions up to now. The rebels are bringing up reserves," the spokesman said.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Breaking News: Teenager Found Guilty Of Preparing Terror Act
2. NATO Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bomber
3. Victim Says 'Lock Up' Racist Chelsea Fans
4. Breaking News: Greece Loan Plan: EU Told Take It Or Leave It
5. Islamic State Leader Used To Work As Secretary

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Islamic State Leader Used To Work As Secretary

By David Bowden, Senior News Correspondent

The man who heads the most brutal organisation in the world started his working life as a secretary, according to newly released US military files.

De-classified documents reveal details about the life led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi before he became leader of Islamic State, the terrorist organisation that has sadistically murdered thousands of people in Syria, Iraq and Libya, including beheading western hostages.

Al-Baghdadi was captured by American soldiers in 2004 during the invasion of Iraq and spent almost a year in a military prison in the south of the country, according to documents seen by Business Insider.

His real name is Ibrahim Awad Ibrahim Al Badry and while his date of birth was redacted from the files, he is thought to be 43.

He was captured, according to Business Insider, by US military intelligence in Fallujah, west of Baghdad, on 4 February 2004 and held until 8 December the same year.

Video: Dec: IS Leader's Wife 'Held'

Al-Baghdadi's status was listed as "civilian detainee" and he was therefore not officially thought to be an insurgent.

His occupation was written as "ADMINISTRATIVE WORK (SECRETARY)".

It is thought he was detained in a raid aimed at arresting his friend.

He was listed as married, with an uncle being his next of kin, although all relatives' names have been redacted from the de-classified documents.

Video: July: First Video Of Militant Chief

There is also a prison photo of him wearing glasses.

What a difference a decade makes. The former secretary from Fallujah is now the most reviled terrorist on the planet, heading a band of murdering thugs, bent on the establishment of an Islamist caliphate carved across the Middle East.

US officials must be ruing the fact that the man they now have top of their most wanted list was in their custody for almost a year.

How would the modern fight against terror look if Al Baghdadi, the one time secretary, was still in an American jail?

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

NATO Fighter Jets Intercept Russian Bomber

Video has emerged showing NATO fighter jets 'buzzing' a Russian Tu-95 bomber.

The footage shows three RAF Typhoons and at least one French Mirage fighter flying within yards of the Russian plane and broadcast on Russian television channel TV Zvedza, which is owned by the Russian Defence Ministry.

The time and location of the incident has not been disclosed.

However, based upon the squadron insignia seen on the aircraft, it is believed the video was shot during a close encounter on 28 January when two Russian military planes flew close to UK airspace.

The video was shot from the cockpit of the Russian plane

Sky's Defence Correspondent Alistair Bunkall said: "Events of this kind have tripled in recent months but what it shows is one of these events happening from the other side.

"Once we work out when the last time the French and British worked together on one of these we might be able to date exactly when this happened.

Video: Cameron: RAF Can Deal With Russians

"If the Russian bombers were flying from British air space into French air space, or the other way around, they would hand over to each other.

"It is quite fascinating seeing this from the other angle. You can see how close they get to each other and what the British and French would essentially be doing is trying to speak to the Russians and make sure they do not stray into sovereign airspace."

The Ministry of Defence have confirmed the video shows RAF Typhoons from 1 Squadron, 6 Squadron and 11 Squadron.

The increase in close encounters between Russian military planes and RAF fighters comes amid increased tension between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine.

The video was released as it was revealed RAF jets intercepted a Russian Tu-95 bomber off the coast of Cornwall on Wednesday evening, and two weeks after British jets were scrambled to see off a similar Russian plane which flew down the English Channel.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: "It is the first time since the height of the Cold War that has happened and it just shows you the need to respond each time he does something like that."

Speaking earlier about the crisis in Ukraine, Mr Fallon said there was a "real and present danger" Russia could repeat its covert campaigns in the Crimea and Ukraine to destabilise former Soviet bloc countries.

He added NATO must be ready for Russian aggression against alliance members including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

David Cameron said: "When this happens, what we do, we launch our Typhoon aircraft escorting these planes out of the area of UK interest. At no time did the Russian military aircraft cross into UK military airspace.

"This illustrates we have the fast jets, the pilots and the systems in place to protect the United Kingdom.

"The Russians are trying to make a point and we should not dignify it with a response."

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Greece Loan Plan: EU Told Take It Or Leave It

Greece says the European Union has "just two choices" when it comes to Athens' request for a six-month extension to its loan programme - accept it or reject it.

Eurozone finance ministers in the Eurogroup will discuss the Greek plan on Friday.

But Germany has already rejected it, saying it was "no substantial proposal for a solution" and "does not meet the criteria" laid out by the ministers.

The office of the German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble issued the terse response, just hours after Greece formally lodged its bid for a half-year deal to effectively replace its bailout, due to expire at the end of the month.

German finance ministry spokesman Martin Jaeger added that it amounted to a request "for bridge financing without fulfilling the demands of the (bailout) programme".

But after the snub, a Greek government source said: "The Eurogroup has just two choices. To accept or reject the Greek request. We will now discover who wants to find a solution, and who does not."

The country's new anti-austerity government is seeking a compromise to break the deadlock with European creditors, especially Germany, as it runs the risk of running out of cash and defaulting on its debts without agreement.

It has ruled out the prospect of any deal under the terms of its previous rescue because of its mandate from the Greek people who swept the anti-austerity Syriza party to power last month.

The details of the Greek request were not made public but the Reuters news agency said it had seen a document which suggested Greece had watered down its previous demands.

The letter, purportedly written by Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis, pledged  to honour all Greek debts and not take unilateral action that would undermine agreed fiscal targets.

Video: Greek Bailout: The Key Numbers

The government of Alexis Tsipras blames the conditions attached to its bailout of hampering the country's recovery and leading to a deterioration of living standards.

Unemployment remains at more than 25%.

On Monday, the government rejected a plan to extend its current €240bn (£178bn) bailout deal, describing it as absurd.

Eurozone finance ministers had given Greece until Friday to request an extension of its current austerity and reform programme.

Germany has been particularly vocal in insisting the country sticks to the terms of its commitments.

The formal Greek request was made in a letter to Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of the eurogroup of finance ministers.

The document was submitted after the European Central Bank (ECB) agreed to increase its emergency funding to Greek banks amid a capital flight from the country.

Depositors are fearful the lack of a deal will force Greece from the single currency and back to the drachma, representing a significant devaluation.

A source told the AFP news agency the ceiling for emergency liquidity assistance - or ELA - to the banks was raised by the ECB from €65bn to €68.3bn (£50.3bn).

According to the source, the Greek central bank had requested an extension of roughly €10bn.

Minutes of the last ECB governing council meeting, released on Thursday, also confirmed that a Greek exit from its bailout commitments would prevent the ECB buying the country's bonds under its €1.1tn quantitative easing scheme.

The eurozone economic stimulus, due to begin next month, was not backed by each member of the council - widely believed to be its two German members.

The minutes said: "In the view of some members there appeared to be no urgent need for monetary policy action."

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ukraine Rebels Claim To Have Captured Key Town

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Mortar Fire Explodes Gas Pipeline

Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine claim they have taken the key transportation hub of Debaltseve and the epicentre of recent fighting.

Separatist leaders said in remarks carried by the rebel-supporting Donetsk News Agency that their forces pushed the Ukrainian army out of the town.

Ukrainian soldiers head for the embattled town of Debaltseve

The claim comes as five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 14 wounded in clashes between the rebels and government forces.

The rebels have declared they will begin withdrawing heavy weaponry from those areas of the frontline where the cease-fire holds, but this does not appear to include Debaltseve,  

Video: Ukraine Clashes Continue

The fighting is the latest apparent breach of a fragile ceasefire under which both sides were supposed to pull heavy artillery back from the front line today.

Fighting erupted on the streets inside the town, which until now had been the scene of artillery exchanges between government troops inside and heavily-armed rebels encircling it.

But government and rebel leaders indicated they would withdraw only after the other side does so.

1/22

1. Gallery: The Town At The Centre Of The Ukraine Conflict

   Ukrainian armed forces take up positions near the eastern town of Debaltseve.

A ceasefire came into effect on Sunday, but fighting has continued in Debaltseve, where pro-Russian rebels claim to have surrounded thousands of Ukrainian fighters.

]]>

A convoy of Ukrainian forces drives in the direction of the embattled town, which is a major rail and road junction northeast of the city of Donetsk.

]]>

Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka launch missiles towards Ukrainian forces in Debaltseve last week.

]]>

Fighters of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic walk past a destroyed Ukrainian army vehicle in the town of Vuhlehirsk, about six miles to the west of Debaltseve.

]]>

"As soon as the militants cease fire, the Ukrainian side will begin to withdraw heavy weaponry from the frontline," said government military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh, who claimed his troops were pounded by the rebels overnight.

Rebel leader Andrei Purgin said the separatists were prepared to discuss withdrawing with the international group monitoring the ceasefire, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Reporting from Ukraine, Sky's Stuart Ramsay said: "Usually these ceasefires completely fall apart within three or four days because the sides are near one another and small arms are involved.

Video: Ceasefire 'Broken' In Mariupol

"The OSCE monitors have been trying to get into Debaltseve but so far they've been refused entry by the pro-Russia separatists.

"The rebel leadership have been talking about what they see as a moral responsibility to continue fighting to get to Debaltseve because they say it's inside their territory and not part of the ceasefire plan.

"They want that town because they've been focusing on it and believe they'll be able to get it soon."

Video: Ukrainian Troops Blow Up Railway

The leaders of Ukraine, Russia and Germany discussed the cease-fire in a phone call late last night.

During the call German chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his influence on the separatists to ensure that they stop fighting.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Two Men Held Over Fatal Tipper Truck Crash
2. Prosecutor: Strauss-Kahn Should Be Cleared
3. PM: Young Unemployed Will Work For Benefits
4. Millionaire Charged With Murdering His Guard
5. Power Cable Incident Kills 20 At Haiti Carnival

We use cookies to give you the best experience. If you do nothing we'll assume that it's ok.

Video: Mortar Fire Explodes Gas Pipeline

Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine claim they have taken the key transportation hub of Debaltseve and the epicentre of recent fighting.

Separatist leaders said in remarks carried by the rebel-supporting Donetsk News Agency that their forces pushed the Ukrainian army out of the town.

Ukrainian soldiers head for the embattled town of Debaltseve

The claim comes as five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 14 wounded in clashes between the rebels and government forces.

The rebels have declared they will begin withdrawing heavy weaponry from those areas of the frontline where the cease-fire holds, but this does not appear to include Debaltseve,  

Video: Ukraine Clashes Continue

The fighting is the latest apparent breach of a fragile ceasefire under which both sides were supposed to pull heavy artillery back from the front line today.

Fighting erupted on the streets inside the town, which until now had been the scene of artillery exchanges between government troops inside and heavily-armed rebels encircling it.

But government and rebel leaders indicated they would withdraw only after the other side does so.

1/22

1. Gallery: The Town At The Centre Of The Ukraine Conflict

   Ukrainian armed forces take up positions near the eastern town of Debaltseve.

A ceasefire came into effect on Sunday, but fighting has continued in Debaltseve, where pro-Russian rebels claim to have surrounded thousands of Ukrainian fighters.

]]>

A convoy of Ukrainian forces drives in the direction of the embattled town, which is a major rail and road junction northeast of the city of Donetsk.

]]>

Pro-Russian rebels stationed in the eastern Ukrainian city of Gorlivka launch missiles towards Ukrainian forces in Debaltseve last week.

]]>

Fighters of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic walk past a destroyed Ukrainian army vehicle in the town of Vuhlehirsk, about six miles to the west of Debaltseve.

]]>

"As soon as the militants cease fire, the Ukrainian side will begin to withdraw heavy weaponry from the frontline," said government military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh, who claimed his troops were pounded by the rebels overnight.

Rebel leader Andrei Purgin said the separatists were prepared to discuss withdrawing with the international group monitoring the ceasefire, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Reporting from Ukraine, Sky's Stuart Ramsay said: "Usually these ceasefires completely fall apart within three or four days because the sides are near one another and small arms are involved.

Video: Ceasefire 'Broken' In Mariupol

"The OSCE monitors have been trying to get into Debaltseve but so far they've been refused entry by the pro-Russia separatists.

"The rebel leadership have been talking about what they see as a moral responsibility to continue fighting to get to Debaltseve because they say it's inside their territory and not part of the ceasefire plan.

"They want that town because they've been focusing on it and believe they'll be able to get it soon."

Video: Ukrainian Troops Blow Up Railway

The leaders of Ukraine, Russia and Germany discussed the cease-fire in a phone call late last night.

During the call German chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his influence on the separatists to ensure that they stop fighting.

Recommended by Outbrain Recommended by Outbrain

Top Stories

1. Two Men Held Over Fatal Tipper Truck Crash
2. Prosecutor: Strauss-Kahn Should Be Cleared
3. PM: Young Unemployed Will Work For Benefits
4. Millionaire Charged With Murdering His Guard
5. Power Cable Incident Kills 20 At Haiti Carnival

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Prosecutor: Strauss-Kahn Should Be Cleared

The prosecutor in the trial of former IMF chief Dominique Strauss-Kahn says he should be cleared of pimping charges.

The call, by prosecutor Frederic Fevre, comes after two former prostitutes dropped a civil case against the man once seen as a possible future president of France.

Mr Fevre said: "Neither the judicial enquiry nor the hearing" proved that Strauss-Kahn was guilty of procuring prostitutes for sex parties he attended in Paris, Brussels and Washington.

While Strauss-Kahn had testified to having orgies while he was managing the world financial crisis, being "rough" with his sexual "conquests", and needing sex with exceptional frequency, Mr Fevre said none of this was illegal.

Strauss-Kahn's "notoriety shouldn't be in any way a presumption of guilt", he said.

During the three-week trial in the French city of Lille, Strauss-Kahn has said he did not know the women participating in sex parties were prostitutes.

He has also denied he organised the parties.

Mr Fevre did not think there was a strong case against Strauss-Kahn before the trial and had asked for the charges to be dropped.

He was over-ruled by investigative judges who sent the case to trial, however.

The trial is due to finish this week, but a verdict is not expected immediately and it now seems likely Strauss-Kahn will walk away with a clean record.

Mr Fevre has requested one year in prison for one of the 13 others accused in the case - Dominique Alderweireld, a brothel owner known as "Dodo the Pimp" - and suspended sentences and hefty fines for a group of friends accused of running a prostitution ring.

He said: "This was not a mafia network that was dismantled," but a group of friends trying to "satisfy egos, ambitions and, quite simply, physical desires."

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Greece: Key Dates As Debt D-Day Looms Large

Here are the key dates for Greece as its leaders desperately seek a way to avoid plunging the country into more finanical hardship.

:: Tuesday, 17 February

EU finance ministers meet a day after crucial talks on the fate of Greece's rescue programme ended without a deal,
increasing fears of it leaving the euro currency.

If a deal is not reached by the end of the month it is likely to run out of a money when its €240bn (£178bn) bailout ends.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras speaks to his parliamentary group at 2pm (UK time).

Video: A Guide To Greece's Economic Woes

::  Wednesday, 18 February

Voting for a new Greek president begins.

It was delayed at the weekend after opposition from the left-wing Syriza government to front-runner Dimitris Avramopoulos.

He is a member of the conservative New Democracy party and Syriza disapproves of him as a candidate.

There is also a bi-weekly Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) meeting. The ELA is the body through which the European Central      Bank (ECB) makes money available.

If the ELA decided to withdraw its support for Greece the country would be broke.

::  Friday, 20 February

Potential emergency meeting of Eurogroup finance ministers to discuss Greece and the end of the deadline.            

This is the theoretical date on which Greece is due to have reached an agreement on a new bailout deal.

::  Tuesday, 24 February

€595m (£440m) of bond interest/capital due.

::  Saturday, 28 February

Video: Osborne Fears Greek 'Chaos'

Greece's current European Financial Stability Facility programme expires.

It was introduced in June 2010 as a way of providing financial aid to troubled member states within the euro area.

It has so far given help to the Irish Republic, Portugal and Greece.

::  Friday, 6 March

€297m (£220m) IMF repayment due. €1.2bn (£888m) Greek treasury bill matures.

::  Friday, 13 March

€334m (£247m) IMF repayment due. €1.6bn (£1.19bn) Greek treasury bill matures.

::  Monday, 16 March

€556m (£412m) IMF repayment due.

::  Friday, 20 March

€334m (£247m) IMF repayment due. €111m (£82.2m) bond interest/capital due. €1.6bn (£1.19bn) Greek treasury bill matures.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Power Cable Incident Kills 20 At Haiti Carnival

At least 20 people have died after being electrocuted by a fallen power cable during a carnival in the Caribbean country of Haiti.

Three others were also killed in a similar accident in Rio de Janeiro state. Both incidents took place in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

In Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, thousands had been watching a popular rap group make a procession through the city on a float.

Video footage appears to show a singer's head colliding with a high-voltage power line, causing the float to burst into flames.

Seven people were reported dead on the float and many others were killed in the chaos which followed.

The band's star vocalist, known as Fantom, is in a critical condition in hospital.

"I saw the wire falling and sparks and I started running for my life," said Natacha Saint Fleur, a 22-year-old who witnessed the accident.

Haiti's president, Michel Martelly, has expressed his "sincerest apologies" to victims and their families, as officials deliberate whether the second day of festivities should be cancelled.

Before the three-day event began - which coincides with many Mardi Gras carnivals internationally - Haiti's US embassy warned visitors to be vigilant for robberies, assaults and pick-pockets.

"Carnival can be a fun, yet potentially unsafe place for revellers," its statement said.

Meanwhile, it is believed the accident in Brazil unfolded when a float carrying speakers brushed against a power cable in the city of Nova Iguacu, northwest of Rio.

According to firefighters, the three people electrocuted were standing on top of the carnival float at the time.

Another victim has been taken to hospital, but does not appear to have life-threatening injuries.

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More

Greece Eyes New Deal As Deadline Approaches

Greece remains confident a new debt deal with its eurozone creditors will be achieved after crisis talks broke up without agreement in Brussels.

The country rejected a draft proposal put forward by European finance ministers that would see an extension of Greece's international bailout package following three hours of talks on Monday evening.

Dutch finance minister Jeroen Dijsselbloem, who chaired the meeting, said Athens now has until Friday to request an extension or risk seeing the bailout expire at the end of the month.

If that happens the Greek state and its banks could face a looming cash crunch.

Greece's finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, said negotiations will continue, adding he has "no doubt" an agreement will be reached that would be "therapeutic to Greece and for Europe".

Video: Greeks Back New Economic Strategy

But he added his country will not implement recessionary measures such as pension cuts and VAT hikes.

Greece's anti-austerity Syriza government recently swept to power on a promise to scrap the bailout as it stands.

But with Greece running out of money, Maltese finance minister Edward Scicluna said the country faces "disaster" unless it extends the bailout, which is due to end on 28 February.

"Greece has to adjust, to realise the seriousness of the situation," he said.

Video: A Guide To Greece's Economic Woes

"It all depends on the realisation by Greece of the real seriousness of the situation because time is running out."

Mr Dijsselbloem said a "positive outcome" was still possible if Greece asked for the extension by the end of the week.

He said further talks are dependent upon Greece requesting a bailout.

"Given the timelines we have... we can use this week but that is about it," he said.

Video: Osborne Fears Greek 'Chaos'

"The general feeling in the Eurogroup is still that the best way forward would be for the Greek authorities to seek an extension of the programme."

Many in the financial markets think a failure to secure agreement will leave Greece little option but to leave the euro.

European stock markets fell on Tuesday in reaction to the deadlock, with Greek banks suffering losses of up to 10% in early trading, though hopes a deal will be done later reversed those losses.

Mr Varoufakis and other European finance ministers remain in Brussels for routine talks on the EU economy today though Greece is expected to dominate.

Video: What Is Greece's Future In Europe?

The Chancellor George Osborne arrived for the talks warning of "severe" consequences for economic recovery in Europe without a deal, saying he wanted to see "competence not chaos."

Speaking after last night's meeting, Sky's Economics Editor Ed Conway said: "The ball is once again in Greece's court. European finance ministers leaving the talks said it was now up to Greece and its prime minister and ministers to request an extension to the deal.

"Otherwise the Eurogroup are not going to continue talking and there is the real prospect increasingly of Greece either defaulting or leaving the euro.

"The big problem is that Greece is potentially going to run out of money quite soon."

22.56 | 0 komentar | Read More