The first plane An-178 without Russian parts was assembled at the Antonov campaign's plant

August 26, 2020 (Ukrvision.com) The plane was ordered by the Peruvian government for the national police. As planned, the Ukrainian aircraft assembled without Russian components will fly to South America next year. This is the first serial "An-178". It could have appeared earlier, the state-owned enterprise agrees, but the constructors had to recalculate hundreds of components and units for Western electronics and avionics."The state-owned Antonov was accused of not producing serial aircraft for several years. There were objective reasons for that. It took a long time for import substitution, ”said Oleksandr Los, president of the Antonov campaign.

The Antonov An-178 is a short-range medium-airlift military transport aircraft designed by the Ukrainian Antonov company and based on the Antonov An-158. It was announced on 5 February 2010, rolled out on 16 April 2015 and made its first flight on 7 May 2015

Belarus protests: defense minister warns of army use, Lukashenko shows resolve in propaganda video

August 24, 2020 (UNIAN) Lukashenko on Sunday afternoon arrived in the presidential palace sporting an assault vest and holding an automatic rifle without a magazine, along with his 15-year-old son Nikolay in full tactical gear. Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin has warned of the possible use of army to disperse protesters rallying under the flags he claims were once used by Nazi troops.

"We can't watch rallies being organized in sacred places today under flags once used by Nazis when they carried out their massacres of Belarusians, Russians, Jews, and people of other nationalities. Therefore, from now on, we're taking these locations under our protection," reads Khrenin's statement posted by the ministry's press service via Telegram. The statement was unusually politicized for a defense agency and emotionally charged through caps lock. It came as tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets of Belarusian capital Minsk on Sunday, August 23, as citizens continue challenging the results of the latest presidential election that gave Alexander Lukashenko another term in the top office after 26 years of continuous rule. Meanwhile, a helicopter brought to the presidential palace in Minsk Alexander Lukashenko sporting an assault vest and holding an automatic rifle without a magazine, along with his 15-year-old son Nikolay in full tactical gear, also armed. In a series of videos spun by Telegram channels on Sunday night, Lukashenko was first shown flying over Minsk, landing near the presidential palace, and then approaching to and addressing riot police officers with the words of praise for their support – met with massive applause. "We will deal with them," Lukashenko was heard saying in front of the police, obviously meaning protesters. "We're with you till the end," officers were heard telling Lukashenko.

Congratulations of the Council of Europe on the Independence Day of Ukraine!

August 24, 1991 - Ukraine's Independence Day - is one of the most important dates in recent European history. Finally, the Ukrainian people realized the original desire to create an independent conciliar democratic Ukrainian state and live freely, sharing common national and European values, caring for the security and well-being of the people, as befits a great European nation. It is appropriate that in the first year of independence Ukraine announced its intention to join the Council of Europe. It testified to its democratic choice, its desire for reforms aimed at protecting human rights, strengthening democratic institutions and ensuring the rule of law. And this year Ukraine celebrates the 25th anniversary of joining the Council of Europe, which became an essential milestone in the European progress of the independent Ukrainian state and the development of the Council of Europe. We sincerely congratulate Ukrainians on the main national holiday and wish them peace, happiness, joy and prosperity!

Lithuanians form human chain to back democracy in Belarus

August 23, 2020 (Beloit Daily News) Supporters of Belarus opposition from Lithuania hold and wave historical Belarusian flags during the "Freedom Way", a human chain of about 50,000 strong from Vilnius to the Belarusian border, near Medininkai, Lithuanian-Belarusian border crossing east of Vilnius, Lithuania, Sunday, August 23, 2020. On August 23, 1989, around 2 million Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians joined forces in a living 600 km (375 miles) long human chain Baltic Way, thus demonstrating their desire to be free. Now, Lithuania is expressing solidarity with the people of Belarus, who are fighting for freedom today.

Protesters approach Lukashenko residence

August 23, 2020 (Radio New Zealand) Tens of thousands of protesters demanding President Alexander Lukashenko step down have flooded into Minsk, at one point demonstrating briefly near his residence in a pointed display of opposition to his long rule. Huge nationwide demonstrations following the country's disputed election on 9 August have provided the biggest challenge yet to the veteran leader's 26 years at the helm and tested the loyalty of his security forces. The streets of Minsk turned red and white on Sunday as a flood of demonstrators carried flags symbolizing their opposition to Lukashenko and chanted for him to leave power and for new elections to be held.

The crowd marched towards his residence at the Independence Palace, on the northern edge of the capital, the majority gathering at some distance. A smaller group approached to between 10 and 20 meters of the building. A helicopter was seen flying out of the residence as protesters milled below. Video circulated by state media journalists later showed Lukashenko arriving by helicopter at the residence holding a rifle. After less than an hour, the majority of the protesters began to march back towards the city center. It was the first time in this month's demonstrations protesters have neared the building's doors. It was surrounded by lines of armed police. The approach to the palace took place after a crowd estimated by witnesses to number as many as 200,000 rallied in central Minsk for the second weekend in a row. The crowd began to disperse in the early evening without apparent clashes with police. Earlier, the defense ministry said it would take on security around national memorials and issued a direct warning to protesters whom it likened to fascists. The ministry said memorials, specifically ones to the dead of World War Two, were holy sites that must not be desecrated. "We categorically warn: any violation of peace and order in such places - you will have the army to deal with now, not the police," it said in a statement. "We, soldiers, will not allow these places to be desecrated, there can be no fascism there!"  The interior ministry issued its own statement warning that any unsanctioned protests would be considered illegal. It said 22 people had been arrested on Saturday when smaller-scale protests took place across 55 towns and cities. Protests triggered by Lukashenko's claims of a landslide election victory on 9 August found a leader in opposition candidate Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, a former teacher who took her jailed husband's place. Following threats to her safety, Tsikhanouskaya fled to neighboring Lithuania. Traditional ally Russia issued some of its strongest comments yet criticizing Tsikhanouskaya on Sunday. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described her role as intentionally destabilizing and said her statements were directed at a Western audience.

National Flag Day of Ukraine marked on August 23

August 23, 2020 (112.ua) National Flag Day of Ukraine is celebrated annually on August 23. At the dawn of independence, this holiday had a municipal character and was celebrated only in Kyiv on July 24. It was on this day in 1990 that a blue-yellow flag was hoisted above the capital's city administration. After the failure of the coup in Moscow on August 23, 1991, a group of Ukrainian MPs brought a blue and yellow flag into the session hall of the Verkhovna Rada. The next day, the independence of Ukraine was proclaimed, and the historical flag was sent to the Verkhovna Rada Museum. On September 4, 1991, the national flag of Ukraine was hoisted above the parliament building. On September 18, 1991, the Presidium of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, by its resolution “On the Flag of Ukraine,” gave a blue-yellow bicolor status of the official flag of the country. From that day, the Ukrainian diplomatic bodies worked and the military personnel took the oath under this flag, etc. On January 28, 1992, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a resolution “Concerning Approval of the National Flag as the State Flag of Ukraine,” which has officially established “a rectangular banner consisting of equally sized horizontal bands: the upper one is blue, the lower one is yellow…”

The holiday of the State Flag Day of Ukraine was established in 2004 by decree of the second President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma. The holiday was established “... In honor of the centuries-old history of the creation of the Ukrainian state and state symbols of independent Ukraine, and in order to raise citizens’ respect to state symbols of Ukraine...”   In 2009, President Viktor Yushchenko amended Kuchma’s decree by staring the annual official flag-raising ceremony on August 23 all over Ukraine. By the way, the first official recognition of the blue-yellow flag took place on March 22, 1918, when the Central Council of Ukraine adopted the law, approving this color combination as the banner of the Ukrainian People’s Republic.

Belarus unrest: Protesters mark jailed activist Sergei Tikhanovsky's birthday

August 18, 2020 (BBC Europe)  Protesters in Belarus have gathered outside the prison to mark the birthday of the jailed husband of the country's main opposition figure amid anger over a disputed election. Sergei Tikhanovsky, who has just turned 42, was imprisoned alongside other rivals of President Alexander Lukashenko ahead of the 9 August poll. His wife Svetlana Tikhanovskaya ran in his place but later fled to Lithuania. She officially secured about 10% of the vote, and Mr. Lukashenko more than 80%. There were no independent observers. The opposition has held daily protests over the past 10 days, alleging massive vote-rigging. Hundreds of protesters have been wounded and two have died in clashes with police. Thousands have been arrested, and many have spoken of torture at the hands of security forces.

As far as the protesters outside the prison are concerned, President Alexander( Sasha is a nickname for Alexander) Lukashenko got 0% of the vote

Have you ever seen such a capital of the Belarus?

Indefinite national strike announced in Belarus

August 16, 2020 (112UA.com) From tomorrow, August 17, a nationwide strike has been declared in Belarus. Such a message was published at once by several opposition Telegram channels, among which is the popular channel Nexta. "From tomorrow, a nationwide strike is announced until the demands of the people are met," the message says. Today at the Freedom March, which takes place in many cities of Belarus, opponents of Alexander Lukashenko's regime put forward three main demands: 

• the resignation of the president
• release of all previously detained protesters
• punishment of all those guilty of beatings and torture.

Today the largest rally in the history of an independent country is being held in Belarus. According to media reports, more than 200 000 people have already gathered in the central square of Minsk. Alexander Lukashenko again held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin amid protests in the country. This was reported on the website of the President of Belarus. It is reported that the presidents spoke about the situation in the country and even agreed on a "joint response": "The leaders of the countries reaffirmed the agreement that in case of an aggravation of the situation in terms of external threats, the parties will react jointly in accordance with the provisions stipulated by the Collective Security Treaty," Lukashenko's press service reported. 

Minsk today

The website of the Administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin also confirms today's telephone conversation. The Kremlin press service indicates that after the presidential elections "outside pressure" is being exerted on the republic.

Belarus election: Police beat protesters as EU condemns vote

August 12, 2020 (BBC Europe) Protesters set up barricades in the Belarus capital Minsk and clashes were reported in several cities on Tuesday night after main opposition figure Svetlana Tikhanovskaya fled. A BBC team in Minsk was attacked by police, who were accused by protesters of brutality. Protests erupted hours after Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko was awarded victory in Sunday's presidential vote. The EU said the election was "neither free nor fair". Sweden's foreign minister said EU foreign ministers would meet on Friday to discuss imposing sanctions on Belarus. Mr. Lukashenko won 80% of Sunday's vote, according to election officials, but there were widespread allegations of vote rigging and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Belarusians had shown "the desire for democratic change" in the election campaign. 

Riot police were seen beating protesters in several areas of Minsk

When Ms. Tikhanovskaya went to the electoral committee to complain about the results that gave her just 10% of the vote, she was detained for seven hours. By Tuesday morning she had left Belarus for neighboring Lithuania. Mr Borrell accused authorities of using "disproportionate and unacceptable violence causing at least one death and many injuries". Websites, which have been jammed in Belarus for days, were widely reported to be back online on Wednesday morning. State TV has said little about the protests and two presenters have announced their resignations. There have been numerous reports of police violence, with people seen being pulled out of cars on the third night of unrest. One protester has died and 200 others have been wounded, some seriously. Two thousand more have been detained. 

Protesters have accused riot police of brutality

The brutality of the crackdown has shocked observers. However, official newspaper Belarus Segodnya, said the protest "co-ordinators" had been detained, including one Minsk resident said to have organized the "mass disturbances" from a hotel room.

Ukraine, Georgia issue joint statement to condemn Russian aggression

August 9, 2020 (UkrInform) The Permanent Missions of Georgia and Ukraine to the United Nations issued a joint statement on the 12th year anniversary of the Russia-Georgia August 2008 war. Oleg Nikolenko, the spokesman for the Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, posted the text of the statement on Facebook. “We condemn the continued occupation and steps towards de-facto annexation of Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia and call upon Russia to immediately start the implementation of its obligations under UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act, the fundamental norms and principles of international law and the EU-brokered Ceasefire Agreement of 12 August 2008, including the full withdrawal of its forces from the internationally recognized territory of Georgia and to reverse its illegal decision on the recognition of the so-called independence of Georgia’s Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions,” reads the statement.

The diplomats welcomed Georgia’s compliance with the 2008 Ceasefire Agreement and Georgia’s unilateral reiteration and implementation of the non-use of force commitment and called on Russia to reciprocate. “We are deeply concerned over the deteriorating security, human rights and humanitarian situation in Georgia’s occupied regions, including increased Russian military exercises and intensified military buildup, the process of intensified so-called borderisation, illegal installation of barbed wire fences and other artificial barriers along the occupation line, ethnic discrimination against Georgians and grave human rights abuses, among them a violation of the right to life, restriction of freedom of movement, illegal detentions and kidnappings, and lengthy closures of so-called crossing points that have further destabilized the situation on the ground and severely impacted the security and humanitarian conditions of conflict-affected people,” the statement underscores. Ukraine and Georgia called on Russia “as the power exercising effective control to enable full and unfettered access by international human rights monitoring organizations to the Abkhazia and Tskhinvali regions of Georgia.” “We deplore the hybrid warfare tools intensified by the Russian Federation against Georgia and fabricated propaganda myths constantly attacking one of the laboratories of Georgia's National Center for Disease Control and Public Health - the Richard Lugar Center, which plays a crucial role in the fight against the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19) in Georgia,” the diplomats noted. Permanent Missions of Georgia and Ukraine to the United Nations reaffirmed their full support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders.

Malyshev Plant handed over renovated "Bulat" tanks to the military

August 9, 2020 (Malyshevplant.com) State Enterprise "Malyshev Plant" has shipped another batch of two repaired and upgraded tanks BM "Bulat" to the customer. Thus, as of July 2020, 50% of the state contract was fulfilled by the enterprise in compliance with the agreed time limits. “We not only carried out factory repairs of machines according to their technical condition but also installed modern equipment with improved characteristics. Thanks to the new radio station and modern means of navigation, our military will be able to more conveniently and efficiently coordinate actions and communication between the crew and the command. Modern aiming and surveillance devices will provide better control of the situation, in particular, at night, "- said the Director-General of State Enterprise "Malyshev Plant” Vasyl Krylas.

The restored "Bulats" successfully passed all the necessary field tests. In particular, the combat vehicles covered a distance of 100 kilometers, demonstrated excellent performance while driving, showed great results of firing and other field tests. After acceptance tests, the upgraded vehicles were handed over to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. State Enterprise "Malyshev Plant” specializes in the production and modernization of heavy and light armored vehicles for the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and foreign customers. Among the main products and services of the enterprise are BM "Oplot", modernization of the T-64 tank to the type of BM "Bulat", armored personnel carriers BTR-3, BTR-4, modernization of armored personnel carriers BTR-50.

BM "Bulat" - the main battle tank used in the tank troops of the Armed Forces. This combat vehicle is an in-depth modernization of the T-64B tank. During the last four years "Malyshev Plant" has repaired more than fifty BM "Bulat" tanks after damage in the war zone in the east of the country and handed them over to the Ukrainian Army. Not only have "Malyshev Plant" specialists repaired the vehicles, but also modernized them to improve their tactical and technical characteristics. In particular, the machines have been equipped with new modern means of communication and navigation, as well as aiming and night vision devices.

Russia spends billions of dollars on propaganda conferences in occupied Crimea – Dzheppar

August 7, 2029 (UkrInform) Russia spends billions of dollars on international conferences in the occupied Crimea, trying to attract foreigners to tell about a "good life" on the peninsula. First Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Emine Dzheppar said this in an interview with Turkey’s Demirören News Agency. “The Russian Federation, having occupied Crimea, seeks to legitimize its crimes with hybrid war tools. It spends billions of dollars on international conferences in the occupied Crimea, inviting people from different countries to the peninsula, forcing them to tell about “how good life is in Crimea” to create an illusion,” Dzheppar said.

She pointed out that Russia is trying to destroy the heritage of Crimean Tatars, as it has done historically. Dzheppar, on behalf of Ukraine and herself, thanked the Turkish state for supporting the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Crimea and Crimean Tatars, and the President of Turkey for assisting in the release of political prisoners. She recalled Turkey's intention to build 500 apartments for Crimean Tatars in the Kherson region and added that these initiatives could be extended to other regions of Ukraine. As reported, Russia's planned armed aggression against Ukraine began on February 20, 2014 with a military operation by the Russian armed forces to seize part of Ukraine's territory - the Crimean Peninsula. On March 16, 2014, a "referendum on the status of Crimea" was held on the territory of Crimea and Sevastopol, as a result of which Russia annexed Crimea. At the same time, Ukraine, the European Union, the United States and other countries did not recognize the results of the voting in the "referendum" and imposed sanctions against Russia.