Turkish Media: Russians Arrested in Turkey Have Ties to ISIS

Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ

13th January, 2016

Ruposters

The Russian government has information that the detainees in Turkey are Russian citizens who are involved in international terrorist groups, reports RIA "Novosti" with reference to an informed source from the responsible office.

As it turned out, two of the alleged terrorists, a few years ago, went from Russia to study in the Middle East. The source also said that one of the detained citizens of the Russian Federation had been declared on the Russian and International wanted list.

Earlier, Turkish media reported that they had detained three Russians in Istanbul on suspicion of having links with the terrorist group "Islamic State".

Basurin Confirms Kiev's Use of Jihadi Fighters in Donbass

Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ

12th January, 2016

newsfront

Intelligence from Donetsk People's Republic received information about the use of gangs by the APU of terrorists previously involved in armed conflict in the Middle East. Journalists from News Front quoted Deputy Commander of the corps of the Ministry of Defence DPR Eduard Basurin.

"The use by the armed forces of Ukraine of terrorist groups of fighters who participated in combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria is confirmed, said Basurin. "The group of bandits, previously involved in terrorist groups in the Chechen Republic, was pardoned by the Ukrainian leadership and were appointed as unit commanders, which led the General staff of the UAF".

According to the Defense Ministry of DPR, the gangs stationed near the village of Shirokino in the South of the line of contact, periodically fire at positions of the troops of the Republic.

"Gangs will be formed on the foundations of these squads that will be involved in the organization of terrorist acts against the DPR", continued Basurin. "Now, as it happens, they deploy a wide range of activities to destabilize the situation in Ukraine and in other countries of Eastern Europe. Ukraine will become a new platform for the spread of the influence of the terrorist group ISIS".

Fear Campaign to Stop Russians Flying to Egypt?

By Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ

12th January, 2016

Egyptian newspaper 'Al-Masry Al-Youm' has published a piece (featured below) which states that the group who attacked a hotel in Hurghada on January the 8th was seeking to attack Russian tourists. The sources are not named.

The nature of this piece has propaganda undertones, trying to permanently stop Russians from flying to Egypt. Analyst Yury Barmin noted:

Spoke to a Russian official last week who said that after Sinai crash they see attempts by some to break the alliance between Moscow & Cairo

— Yury Barmin (@yurybarmin) January 12, 2016

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Translated by Sufyan Jan for Fort Russ

Al-Masry Al-Youm

Second attacker in Hurghada: I met my accomplice through Al-Zamalek Ultras football fan club 

Investigations led by the Supreme State prosecutor’s office revealed during an interrogation with the injured attacker, who assaulted three foreign tourists in the Bella Vista Resort Hurghada in the afternoon of last Friday, of an unexpected revelation, during his confessions to the Prosecutors office, in the presence of his lawyer.

The accused confirmed that he and his friend, who was killed during a standoff with security forces, have visited Hurghada a few days prior to the incident, they subsequently left Hurghada and returned last Friday, using public buses as their medium of transportation. On their arrival to Hurghada last Friday, they rented an apartment in the Sheraton bay area, and started their search for foreigners in a supermarket, failing to find any they kept roving around the city until they located foreigners in the Bella Vista Resort across the street. 

The attacker explained that the reason for choosing Hurghada as a location for their attack, was their failure to leave Egypt and join a Jihadi organization, the attackers met each other through Al-Zamalek football club Ultras, and that they were part of the lonely wolves gang, that was associated with the aforementioned online group. The attacker goes on to explain that they were exclusively targeting Russian foreigners, because of Russia’s aerial strikes in Syria.

The prosecutor’s office will be looking to transport the accused to prison to spend the remand period by leave of his doctors.

Sequel to Kiev Nightclub Russian Pilot Execution Scheduled for February

Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ

12th January, 2016

RIA

The Kiev nightclub 'BarHot', where a staged "execution" of the Russian pilot of su-24 shot down by Turkish air force in the skies over Syria took place during a Christmas party, plans to repeat the same show, said the Director of the institution Oleg Magaletskiy in an interview with radio station "Moscow speaking".

"If our country will end the military conflict, the necessity of these actions will disappear. Therefore it's slightly subliminal. If the situation were to drag on, we have plans for another "bloodthirsty dance" in February, said Magaletskiy.

He also noted that this instance of the "execution" of the pilot is the fourth production of its kind in the bar.

As was emphasized by Magaletskiy on the radio, the "execution" of the Russian pilot is an "extraordinary provocation, it is a conscious step, art to cause a resonance, the effect is negative". The action, according to him, was a satirical look at the relationship between Russia and Ukraine.

The controversial video of the mock "execution" of the Russian pilot, who was killed after a Turkish military aircraft in the skies over Syria shot down a Russian su-24, was posted on YouTube on December 29th. So far this incident has not seen legal action from Kiev.

2 Ukrainians tried to bring arms into Russia, were detained after short firefight.

Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ

1st December, 2015

Lifenews

The staff of the Border Department of Russia in the Rostov region recently detained two citizens of Ukraine who tried to smuggle weapons in. The men legally crossed the state border. They were detained when they tried to pick up the previously buried munitions at the border.

A search in the area of detention of the car revealed a cache which contained weapons and ammunition: sniper rifle, a Kalashnikov rifle, 2 grenade launchers, more than 600 rounds of ammunition and grenades, according to the press service of the FSB of Russia across the Rostov region.

During the arrest the men tried to escape. Border guards used gunfire to stop the violators. According to what is written under articles 222 and 226.1 of the criminal code, the violators could face up to 12 years of imprisonment.

Russian officials push for the recognition of Turkey's Grey Wolves as a terrorist group

Translated by Ollie Richardson for Fort Russ

30th November, 2015

Lenta

The Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on constitutional legislation Andrey Klishas asked the Prosecutor General of Russia Yury Chaika to recognize the Turkish organization "Boz Gourde" (Grey wolves) as terrorists. This was reported by RIA Novosti news Agency.

According to Klishas, the organization's activities should be prohibited on the territory of the Russian Federation. In his letter, the Senator indicated that on November 28 the President of Russia Vladimir Putin signed a decree to protect national security and protect Russian citizens from criminal and other unlawful acts.

"It seems that the actions of the Turkish leadership are aimed at aiding prohibited groups in the Russian Federation, such as the "Islamic state", therefore I ask you to consider the possibility to appeal to the Supreme court for recognition of the organization "Boz Gourde", and ban its activity in the territory of the Russian Federation", — reads the statement of Klisnas.

In the Turkish media a video was released which said that the Russian pilot, catapulted out of the bomber su-24M in Syria, was killed by a militant from the Turkish ultra-nationalist nationalist organization "Boz Gourde"-  Alpaslan Celik, notes TASS.

The pilot of the downed su-24, Lieutenant Colonel Oleg Peshkov, was killed after ejection. In addition, the soldier Alexander Pozynich, who was involved in the search and rescue operation, was  killed. President Vladimir Putin  awarded the title of hero of Russia posthumously to Peshkov and posthumously awarded Pozynich the order of Courage. The surviving navigator of the downed bomber, Konstantin Murakhtin, was also awarded the order, and promised to "get revenge" for the murdered pilot, asking for permission to return to Khmeimim airbase.

The Russian/Chechen trail from Maidan to the ATO

August 20, 2015

Alexey Zotyev

Cassad.net

Translated for Fort Russ by J. Arnoldski

The fact that mercenaries are fighting in the ranks of the Ukrainian army and in units under the control of the Ministry of the Interior is something that has been widely reported. Neo-nazis and radicals of all kind, seeking adventure and easy money, flocked to the Ukrainian side once the fratricidal conflict broke out in the country. Some are fighting for money, which was abundantly poured into the UAF budget by the American government, and some are fighting for an idea. But what is the idea in a fratricidal civil war?

Russia did not remain on the sidelines. Almost immediately, as soon as the volunteers from Russia flocked to Novorossia to help local militia, appeared another stream, less bustling, but no less stable. Ranks of radical nationalists and other public, including the representatives of openly criminal organizations, flocked from Russia to Ukraine. At first, they covered their faces and avoided the camera lens, but soon, believing in their "unique mission" began to give interviews in which they shared their revelations about the motives that led them to the side of the Ukrainian security services.

Most of those who agreed to speak on camera said that they went to the ATO to fight against the criminal Russian regime which had unleashed a fratricidal war in Ukraine. Accordingly, none of them mentioned the generous funding of the National Guard battalions joined by the Russian citizens, most of whom are wanted in their country, and that the war in Donbass was started by Poroshenko.

Well alright, let them believe what they want, it's easier. Easier to kill. But there is one more thing which they preferred not to voice: many of them went to Ukraine long before the civil war broke out in the country. Mercenaries from all over the world played a significant role in the organization of Maidan in 2013 and the subsequent coup. They were the force that spilled the first blood in Kiev. Then they joined the ranks of territorial battalions and continued their "struggle for an idea" already in Donbass, killing civilians and destroying the peaceful cities.

This document, which has not yet been freely released, features a Russian citizen born in the Chechen republic, Ruslan Arsaev, with the call sign “Chechen,” who is a fighter of the “Aidar” battalion (V0624). This document didn’t appear by chance. With fighters of “Aidar,” Arsaev presented themselves as fighters of a counterintelligence battalion. It is indicated that this citizen of Russia did indeed participate in the ATO in contingent V0624, but there is no counterintelligence battalion there. In principle, the presence or absence of counterintelligence in the battalion "Aidar" is of little interest to us. The other information is important: Arsaev, according to this document, actively participated in the confrontations on the Maidan in 2013-2014. He took part not alone, but as part of a group of others who were “visiting Ukrainian patriots" like himself. Now it becomes clear who is the main driving force "of the Ukrainian national revolution."

Arsaev himself, who not long ago was the pride of the Maidan and a hero of the ATO, was arrested on the territory of the Schastye settlement in Lugansk region on April 20, 2015. The fake counterintelligence agent was charged with the creation of bandit groups with all the implications - robbery, looting, and participation in anti-state protests. This “hero of Ukraine” is now doing his time, but how many more such people are fighting in the ranks of the UAF or the National Guard? Are they fighting and killing for the glory of Ukraine?

The Situation on the Donbass

June 16, 2015

The Situation on the Donbass

By Yevdokia "Dunya" Sheremetyeva

Translated from Russian by J.Hawk

[To view Yevdokia Sheremetyeva's other dispatches from the Donbass, click on the "littlehiroshima" tab above the title.]

I have long wanted to write about the humanitarian situation on the Donbass.
I'll say right at the start that I am writing on the basis of my personal experience, and the experience of humanitarian workers who are personally known to me.
I know the situation in the Lugansk District relatively well, but not in the Donetsk one. Many say it's pretty much the same, thought they get more deliveries.
Donbass retirees have been receiving their pensions during the last two months (1200 hryvnia=2400 rubles). Plus various benefits for the disabled, single mothers (870 hryvnia), etc. But pretty much all information had to be resubmitted for the latter.
One cannot say this is enough to save the situation, but I do see a major difference in comparison with the winter.
In December-January the situation was catastrophic, at times one could talk of famine, without exaggerating.



Many towns and villages received no aid at all, for example, Khryashchevatoye, Georgiyevka.
Khryashchevatoye just recently had its electricity restored, though it still lacks water supply in some parts.
During the winter the people were simply surviving. Without any help. "Not in the war zone"--most of the aid went to the regions that were directly affected by fighting, such as Debaltsevo, Chernukhino, and others. The small villages were all but forgotten.
Pervomaysk in winter was a disaster zone. Nothing was delivered since last summer. The city was, and pretty much still is, almost in a UAF/National Guard encirclement. It's been more quiet lately. Although most recent reports suggest they've been shelling it again. And not half-heartedly.
When we made deliveries to communal kitchens, the workers there were practically in tears. And it wasn't an act.
Children in the bomb shelters threw themselves at candy which they haven't seen for so long.
Now both the bomb shelters and the kitchens receive regular food deliveries.
It was obvious in the homes we visited that they were absolutely empty of food. Now it's clear there is food.
However, people have spent the last year living on canned meat, grains, and other non-perishable foodstuffs (tea, sugar, powdered milk).
That's the top priority for deliveries, which makes sense.
Many of those who still have farms survive thanks to them. A cow, goat, chickens, ducks, etc. Though many have to be slaughtered, as there is no feed...
However, those who have spend that entire time in the cities, and those who have lost everything due to shelling (and there are many of those) haven't had an opportunity to drink fresh milk this entire time. People are beginning to suffer from vitamine shortage as a result of eating only processed foods.
That's why during our last trip we tried to buy on the spot a chicken, milk, yogurt or kefir, butter (some haven't seen it for a year) eggs, to add to our food packets. We always tried to bring some  fruits for the kids--bananas, apples (which can be bought relatively cheaply on local markets). You can see those on our photographs.



But the biggest problem right now concerns the working age population. Many simply have no work. Those who have it don't receive salaries. The retired and children get aid of some sort. But the healthy adults get almost nothing. They are now the most vulnerable segment of the population. It's hard to imagine, but the physicians, nurses, first aid teams who drive out to help during curfew, firefighters, utility workers rebuilding the city's infrastructure under bombardments, don't get paid.
My friend Yulya is a social worker. She doesn't get paid, but she still has to buy four bus tickets every day (she has to get to the other side of Lugansk). Her relatives help, but she lives off her parents' pension (which they received for only two months during the whole year) and humanitarian aid.
The situation with medicines is equally catastrophic. Pharmacies are empty--only streptocides, analgesics, activated charcoal, etc. If you need anything else, it's a problem.
We get constant requests for medicines. Some people even offer money--"Please, we'll pay, but there is no place to buy it here." It's especially hard for people who need the medicines to remain alive. For example, the diabetics. While insulin is being delivered, it is often of poor quality, which is why many diabetics' condition is worsening. On top of that there's a problem with the quality of nutrition (which is fatal for those suffering from sugar diabetes), freeze-dried foods, lack of fresh vegetables and fruits.

With all that, I thought it astonishing that the shops have everything. You can buy all the necessities on the markets and in shops (though there aren't many of them--the majority have closed). The shelves are stuffed. But people simply have no money. So only the few can take advantage of it, those who had money before the war, or those who get help from relatives. It's a crazy line of alienation, no other way of putting it.
On the plus side, the planting season is in full swing. Everyone is gardening. So long as the shells don't fall.



So overall the situation has gotten better. But it's not all fine and well yet.
The working population is in a very difficult situation--there is no money at all, and humanitarian aid only helps them survive.
There still exists a serious problem with fresh, perishable, foods and medicines. Another humanitarian disaster can occur in the event of an offensive. Because it is always the civilian population that is the first to suffer, and the civilian infrastructure which, as experience shows, are deliberately targeted.
Many humanitarian workers wouldn't go in the face of shelling. And then the deliveries would stop.

And, as always--
If you want contribute to humanitarian aid, contact me through my livejournal account, through Facebook, or via email: littlehirosima@gmail.com. Everything will be delivered and reported.