Briefing on the Situation in the South-East of Ukraine (11 – 17.05.2016)

1. \ GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF MILITARY COOPERATION AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE Briefing on the Situation in the South-East of Ukraine (11 – 17.05.2016)

2. Highlights over Situation in Ukraine V. Putincontinuestodemonstratetotheworldcommunity RF armedforcesandthedefenseindustrypotential: 10-13 May, Putinnoted: “...Russiandefenseindustryisabletoperformstatedefenseprocurementundertheinternationalsanctionsthatwillallowbytheendof 2016 toincreasetheshareofmodernsamplesofarmamentandmilitaryequipmentinthe RF armedforcesfrom 47.2% upto 51%”; “...in 2015 theRussianarmedforcesreceivedaround 4 thousandsamplesofarmamentandmilitaryequipment, 96 aircraft, 81 helicopters, 152 anti-aircraftsystems, 291 radars”). Onthe 13th ofMay (SummitinWashington DC) the US andNorthernEuropeancountries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden) representativesexpressedmutialvisionregardingsupportforthesovereigntyandterritorialintegrityofUkraineandsanctionsforRussiauntilfullcompliancewiththeMinskagreements. Also, concernwasexpressedonthegrowingRussianmilitarypresenceandprovocative RF AF actionsintheBalticsea).

3. Highlights over Situation in Ukraine Thenext "NormandyFour" roundofnegotiations (May, 11, Berlin) witnessedtheconstancyofKremlinintentionstoachievethelegitimizationofDonbass Russian-terrorist authoritiesbymeansof“localelections”organization. KremlinplanstoenlistthesupportofGermanyandFranceinmattersoftheadoption“ThelawofUkraineonthespecialstatusoftheregion”andamnestyofillegalarmedformations. Official RF representativesabroadcontinuetoblameUkraineforincompliancewiththeMinskagreements – onthe 13th ofMay (Vienna) – permanent RF representativeofto OSCE O. Lukashevichduringhisparticipationinthemeetingofthe OSCE PermanentCouncilsaid: “...theUkrainianleadershipsupportsradicalmovementsandrefusestoengageindirectdialoguewith “DNR” and “LNR” representativesthatis a violationoftheMinskagreements. Atthesametime, becauseoftheRussianFederationpositionon a matter, theinitiativetosend OSCE policemissiontoDonbasstillremainstough, – onthe 12th ofMay, thePresident'spressSecretary Dmitry Peskovand O. Zakharchenko (10th May) commentedonthat: “...theproposalsofUkraineregardinginviting OSCE policemissiontoDonbassisanattempttodisruptthepeaceprocess.

4. Highlights in the occupied territories of Ukraine In "DNR" the process of "state" emblems development continues and different active measures, including the involvement of European journalists and experts, are directed to form a positive attitude to illegal territorial formations in eastern Ukraine: On 11 May 2016 the so-called "the Ministers Council of LNR" approved amendments to the "Regulations on border crossings of the LNR"; On 13 May 2016 (Donetsk), the so-called International Forum "Strategy for the future" was organized. More than 500 representatives from the "DNR", "LNR" South Ossetia and Abkhazia and 60 companies of quasi-states attended this Forum; amendments to the "law" on border crossings of the LNR were approved; On 13 May 2016 (Donetsk) the round-table discussion on the topic "The fight of Donbass for its independence" was organised; Italian journalist, member of "Italy-Russia" association E.Bertolazi (co-author - Italian director S.Redzhynella) presented a documentary movie "Donbass Seasons“ which justifies the "protest" movements in Donbass and accused Ukrainian authorities in the "tragedy in Odessa" and "shelling of civilian towns of LNR and DNR."

5. Highlights in the occupied territories of Ukraine By virtue of contacts organization with loyal to Russia foreign countries representatives the Russian occupying authority is trying to create the conditions for the regime overcoming of the Crimean international isolation - 12-14 May, 2016, pro-russian deputies of Italy (parties “Five Star Movement”, “Northern League”) had a meeting with O.Belaventsev, S.Aksionov and V.Konstantinov, the authorized representatives of Russian President in so-called Crimean federal district. May 11, 2016, in order to prove the insufficiency of the Crimean energetic blockage, it was conducted a “teleconference Sochi-Kerch” with the participation of V.Putin, the President of Russia, regarding the beginning of exploitation of the 4-th link of cable duct through Kerch Strait (so-called “power bridge”). At the same time the occupying authority in the Crimea conducted another repressive activities – May 12, 2016, RF FSB officers detained I.Umierov, deputy head of Mejlis, suspected in criminal offence regarding “public” clamors and actions directed at violation of RF territorial integrity”. Also it was conducted the line of searches and detentions of pro-ukrainian Crimean Tatars.

6. CONCLUSIONS RESULTING FROM THE SITUATION WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF RUSSIAN-UKRAINIAN CONFLICT • Military-political situation around Ukraine still is tough and first of all is defined by long-lasting aggression of Russia against our country and Kremlin confrontation with the USA/NATO for the influence in European region. • Despite political and economical loss Putin`s regime will continue its attempts to return Ukraine in the domain of its influence. • Key aims: • compelling Ukraine to Russian demands regarding conflict settlement in Donbas by means of tension maintenance on the line of separation and situation destabilization in other regions; • discrediting actions of the Ukrainian authority and conditions formation for bringing prorussian forces in Ukrainian power; • attempts continuation to convince the Western countries in lack of options regardingcooperation resuming with Russia as a global player for regime relaxation of the political-economical sanctions.

7. \ GENERAL DIRECTORATE OF MILITARY COOPERATION AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS OF THE GENERAL STAFF OF THE ARMED FORCES OF UKRAINE Thank You for Your attention!