우크라이나의 비극과 러시아의 근육운동 ,,

[Seoul Joe]

Carnage in Ukraine as 20 'terrorists' shot dead in gun battles while Putin waves to adoring crowds as he inspects naval fleet in Crimea

• Twenty pro-Russian 'terrorists' were killed in Ukraine today as they battled government forces in Mariupol
• Government troops were trying to seize back control of buildings the protesters occupied last night
• The police headquarters was set alight after fighting inside, while bodies were pictured lying outside in the street
• Meanwhile the Russian President arrived in Sevastopol to inspect the Black Sea Fleet which is stationed there
  
• Earlier in the day told 11,000 troops in Moscow it is important for the 'Motherland' to 'stand up to its interests'
• Around 150 tanks and 75 combat aircraft, including helicopters and fighter jets, took part in the ceremony
• Some of the vehicles were flying the flags of Crimea and Sevastopol, which are currently areas of military tension
  

By WILLS ROBINSON and CHRIS PLEASANCE

PUBLISHED: 08:19 GMT, 9 May 2014 | UPDATED: 20:38 GMT, 9 May 2014 

 
 
 
 

204 shares

154

View 
comments

Twenty pro-Russian 'terrorists' have been shot dead after they clashed with Ukrainian soldiers in the port city of Mariupol today.

Fighting broke out at the area's police headquarters and interior ministry when local forces tried to reclaim buildings which were seized last night.

The violence broke out as Russian President Vladimir Putin was greeted by cheering crowds in Crimea today as he travelled to the peninsula for the first time since the region was annexed.

Scroll down for video

+69

Around 20 pro-Russian 'terrorists' have been killed in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol after government forces tried to wrestle back control of several buildings seized last night

+69

Ukraine's interior minister Minister Arsen Avakov said attempts by 'terrorists' to storm the building turned into a pitched battle within its walls

+69

A parade marking the Soviet Union's victory over the Nazis in 1945 was taking place in the city at the time, and participants were re-directed and joined the violence

+69

The deaths came as Vladimir Putin visited the Crimean capital of Sevastopol today, the first time he has visited the region since it was annexed by Russia

In Mariupol, five policemen were said to have been wounded in the stand-off while four separatists were captured.

Ukraine's interior minister Minister Arsen Avakov said attempts by 'terrorists' to storm the building turned into a pitched battle within its walls. After the fighting it is believed some rebels fled and were seeking shelter in the town.

A local photographer at the scene told Reuters the building was ablaze and that at least two bodies were lying in the street outside. 'One of them is definitely a police officer,' he said.

Other reports said the headquarters was left ridden with bullet holes after the vicious gun battle broke out.

A parade marking the Soviet Union's victory over the Nazis in 1945 was taking place in the city at the time, but participants were re-directed and joined the violence.

+69

Controversial visit: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (left) arrive in Crimea to review the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol

+69

Claims: He made a speech upon his arrival, saying Russia's annexation of the peninsular was the most important day in the calender

+69

The Russian President sails past a line of the larger vessels in the fleet. Officials in Ukraine said his visit was a 'flagrant violation' of sovereignty

+69

Putin, Shoigu, Black Sea fleet and Vice Admiral Aleksander Vitko (second left) and Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) Director Alexander Bortnikov watch the ceremony marking Russia's victory over Nazi Germany

+69

Rousing: During the speech, he said: 'I am sure that 2014 will go into the annals of our whole country as the year when the nations living here firmly decided to be together with Russia'

Meanwhile, 300 miles away in Crimea, Putin watched as another Victory Day parade passed peacefully, before praising Crimea's decision to become part of Russia.

He said: 'I am sure that 2014 will go into the annals of our whole country as the year when the nations living here firmly decided to be together with Russia, affirming fidelity to the historical truth and the memory of our ancestors.

'There is a lot of work ahead but we will overcome all difficulties because we are together, which means we have become stronger.

He added: 'We treat all countries, all peoples, with respect. We respect their lawful rights and interests. But we ask that everybody should treat our lawful interests, including restoring historical justice and the right to self-determination, in the same way.'

However, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry condemned the visit as a deliberate escalation of the crisis between the two countries.

+69

In Odessa, where nearly 50 people died last week after more violent clashes, a woman falls to her knees outside the trade union building

+69

Tensions in Ukraine's east are at fever pitch as two provinces plan to hold referendums on splitting from the country and joining Russia this weekend (pictured, a body in the street in Mariupol)

 

Police station set on fire in Mariupol amid renewed fighting

more videos

+69

Pro-Russian protesters show the bullets they claim were used by the Ukrainian army near the Mariupol police station

+69

A protester holds up a shell casing at the scene of some of the fiercest fighting during the stand-off

+69

Clashes: Before the Ukrainian military moved in, these men were pictured outside the police station where most of the fighting took place

A spokesman said: 'Such a provocation is yet another confirmation that Russia is deliberately pursuing further escalation of tensions in Ukrainian-Russian relations.'

NATO's Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen also said the appearance in the Black Sea region was inappropriate and warned Russia to 'step back from the brink'.

'I think his visit to Crimea is inappropriate ' Rasmussen told reporters on a visit to Estonia's capital Tallinn. Rasmussen also said he had no visible confirmation of the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine's border.

The warnings came as Ukrainian forces brought several armoured cars into Mariupol, a major industrial and shipping centre in the mainly Russian-speaking east of the country, with a population of around 500,000.

+69

Tribute: He lay flowers at a Second World War memorial remembering fallen soldiers during the visit

+69

+69

Somber: Surrounded by veterans, he approaches the memorial, lays down the flowers, kneels,  and bows his head

+69

Emotional: Putin puts a finger up to his eye and laying a bouquet of flowers at a war memorial in Sevastopol

+69

Putin stands for a photo among Second World War veterans as they watch a parade of honour in the port city

+69

Stream: Russian Air Force fighter planes fly over the Crimean city as Putin delivers a speech to pro-Russian supporters

+69

Pride: Russian President Vladimir Putin stands beside Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev during the Russian Victory Day Parade in Red Square

+69

He told 11,000 troops: 'This is a holiday when all-conquering patriotic force triumphs, when we all feel especially strongly what it means to be true to the Motherland and how important it is to be able to stand up for its interests'

+69

Strength: The annual ceremony celebrates victory over the Nazis during the Second World War, but is also a chance for Russia to show off its military might during tension in the Crimea.

The Interfax agency said police were trying to wrest back control of the buildings when they came under came under fire from pro-Russia militia.

Tanks were seen patrolling the streets as brawls broke out around the city, days after 30 pro-Russia insurgents were killed in Slovyansk. 

Local police in the eastern Donetsk region, centre of a pro-Russian rebellion against Kiev, said they could not comment.

Mariupol, in the heart of a so-called 'People's Republic' declared by local pro-Russian rebels, has been the focus of days of skirmishing between Ukrainian police and separatist gunmen.

 

Kremlin shows off its military might at Victory Day celebrations

more videos

+69

Formation: Thousands of troops joined in the parade annual Moscow parade, which celebrates Russian victory over the Nazis in the Second World War

+69

Audience: People take pictures of Russian army jets streaking the sky with colours of a Russian flag during the Victory Day parade in Moscow

+69

Honour: Russian servicemen aboard armoured personnel carriers salute during the parade

Earlier in the day around 11,000 Russian troops marched through Moscow to celebrate the end of the Second World War, during a ceremony that was also used to show off the Kremlin's military might as the instability in Ukraine continues. 

During a rousing speech, he told the soldiers: 'This is a holiday when all-conquering patriotic force triumphs, when we all feel especially strongly what it means to be true to the Motherland and how important it is to be able to stand up for its interests.'

Putin made no reference to the situation in Ukraine in his speech in Moscow, which focused on the historic importance of the victory over the Nazis

In a sign of triumph over Russia's annexation of Crimea, parading troops included a marine unit from the Black Sea Fleet that flew the Crimean flag on its armored personnel carriers. 

Celebrations also took place in Slovyansk, a city in eastern Ukraine which has seen gun battles between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia militia. 

Communist flags were waved in front of statues of Vladmir Lenin as children joined soldiers during the commemorations. 

Victory Day is a key element of Russia's identity, reflecting the nation's enormous suffering and paying respects to millions of victims of the Second World War.

The crowd of troops proudly marched across Moscow to the tunes of marches and patriotic songs. Some 150 military vehicles and about 70 combat aircraft took part in the show.

+69

Carriers: Three mobile missile launching units drive in formation outside the Kremlin with the hammer and sickle emblem in the background

+69

Military might: An intercontinental ballistic missile Topol-M rolls in front of a troop. The missiles have a range of 3,400 miles

Russia's Foreign Ministry had suggested that Rasmussen was 'blind' after stating he had seen no signs Russia was withdrawing troops from Ukraine's border.

American and European governments have accused Russia of fomenting the unrest in Ukraine's east, where insurgents have seized government buildings in a dozen of cities and fought with government troops. 

They set a referendum on independence for Sunday, a vote similar to a plebiscite that paved way for Moscow's annexation of Ukraine's Black Sea region of Crimea in March. 

Putin's surprise call on Wednesday for delaying the referendum in eastern Ukraine appeared to reflect Russia's desire to distance itself from the separatists as it bargains with the West over a settlement to the Ukrainian crisis.

+69

Order: Moscow's Red Square is surrounded by flags as around 11,000 soldiers march through. The front row glances right at military officials watching the parade

+69

Speed: Four Russian fighter jets fly over St Basil's Cathedral, showing off Moscow's military potential

+69

Respect: Putin and Prime Minister stand up alongside other senior Kremlin figures as troops march in front of them

+69

Voice: Young military academy cadets perform patriotic chants to military songs

+69

Mighty: A rocket launcher crawls slowly during the parade in a sign that Russian have an enormous military arsenal at their disposal

But insurgents in the Russian-speaking east defied Putin's call and said they would go ahead with the referendum. While reflecting the anger against the central government shared by many in the east, the move also supported Moscow's denial of engineering the mutiny. 

Putin also said Russia had withdrawn its forces from the Ukrainian border, but Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said Thursday there had been no evidence of a pullback. 

Ukraine's security service said foreign 'saboteurs' had knocked out state television transmissions for several hours today, suggesting Moscow had backed the action as part of a campaign fomenting rebellion in the east.

Viktoria Syumar, deputy head of the SBU agency, said they had set fire to underground cables carrying power and signals to the broadcaster and several radio stations on the morning the country, and Russia, marks World War Two Victory Day.

'The logic of the Russian special services to this very day is based on the teachings of Lenin on the priority of "post, telephone and telegraph",' she said in reference to the Bolshevik leader's seizure of power in 1917.

'According to preliminary details, they set fire to cables in the tunnel, which could be accessed from the street and introduced flammable material. Only professionals know of such underground canals. This is classic sabotage.'

The Kiev mayor's office had earlier said the fire had been due to a short circuit.

+69

Passion: After his motivational speech, which outlined his desire for the 'Motherland' to show strength and unity, the troops shouted 'Hurrah' in unison

+69

+69

Policy: Earlier this week, Putin made a surprise call to delay a plebiscite in Ukraine's Black Sea region, evidence that Moscow may be looking to distance themselves from militant separatists 

+69

Patriotic: Putin and Medvedev both wear ribbons symbolising the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945

+69

Advanced: Russian military planes fly above the Kremlin, during the Victory Day parade as Putin praised the Soviet role in defeating fascism

+69

Show of strength: A Mi-26 helicopter (centre) flies with four Mi-8s alongside the clock tower looking over Red Square

+69

Looking up: Russian soldiers tanks salute as aircraft fly over Red Square. More than 150 vehicles joined the parade including rocket launchers and missile carriers

The United States and the European Union have slapped travel bans and asset freezes on members of Putin's entourage in response to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Black Sea region of Crimea.

Despite the sanctions, Putin is set to travel to France in early June for a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that hastened the end of World War II, his first encounter with Western leaders since the start of the Ukrainian crisis.

Earlier, The Kremlin revealed Putin will join President Barack Obama and European leaders in France next month for a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that hastened the end of the Second World War.

Putin's decision to attend the commemoration could undermine what was supposed to be a strong show of US and European unity against Russia as the West looks to isolate Moscow.

Still, leaders from Germany and France publicly welcomed the announcement that Putin will attend the observance at Normandy, raising questions about the effectiveness of recent efforts to ostracize the Russian president over Ukraine.

+69

Aerial view: A Russian government helicopter on its approach as it prepares to land at the Kremlin as thousands of troops parade below

+69

March: A group of Russian soldiers hold a stringent formation during the parade. The day is a huge part of the country's national identity

+69

Armed: Russian military carrying machine guns march during the 69th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War

+69

Colour: Soldiers with white flags in their bayonets join in with the parade. May 9 is regarded as the country's biggest holiday

And while the White House said Obama would not meet one-on-one with Putin, U.S. officials did not appear to be seeking to stop him from attending. 
'We would not expect France to dis-invite Russia from this historic event commemorating World War II because of what's taking place in Ukraine,'

White House spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said. 'The events in Normandy on June 6 are focused on remembering the sacrifices of all our World War II veterans.' 

Millions of Russian lives were lost in the war against Nazi Germany. 

Yet Putin's presence is sure to intrude on, if not overshadow, the commemorations of the Normandy landings by allied forces. Even without a formal meeting between Putin and Western leaders, there will be heightened interest in their interactions, particularly between Obama and Putin, who have a history of tense public encounters. 

'If this goes forward, this is not going to be about Normandy and the second world war,' said Heather Conley, a Europe scholar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. 'We're just going to be watching the body language.'

+69

National identity: Another group of soldiers from inside one of the 150 combat vehicles taking part salute during the parade

+69

Routine: Armed with machine guns and in full military armour, these group of soldiers glance right as they march through the centre of Moscow

+69

Blast: Cannons stationed along the Kremlin wall are fired as part of the ceremony. Millions of Russians died during Second World War, many at the hands of Hitler's forces

+69

Grins: Russian servicemen in combat attire smile as they parade through the centre of Moscow. Thousands of troops are currently stationed along the border with Ukraine

+69

Fighter jets hover over the Monument to Minin and Pozharsky. The pair gathered volunteer soldiers to expel the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth forces in 1612

International gatherings like the D-Day anniversary are often occasions where world leaders find themselves in the presence of their foes. Obama shook hands with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at a regional summit in 2009. 

He also exchanged a handshake and brief pleasantries with Cuban leader Raul Castro last year while both attended a memorial service in South Africa for Nelson Mandela. 

French officials began inviting world leaders to Normandy months ago, well before Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine and positioned 40,000 troops on Ukraine's border with the former Soviet republic. 

The guest list also includes Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, the leaders of other European countries on both sides of World War II, and the heads of former African colonies whose soldiers took part in the war. 

The U.S. and Europe were largely in agreement about allowing Putin to attend and felt it was appropriate to separate the war commemorations from the current geopolitical conflict, according to a Western diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the diplomat was not authorized to discuss the Ukraine crisis publicly. 

+69

Cavalry: Horses trot across the street in Moscow's Red Square, showing off more traditional methods of warfare

+69

Official: Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu inspects the troops from his open-top car during the parade

+69

Bright: The car's exterior glistens in the sun as surrounding troops salute the defence minister

+69

Glint: Troops wearing white gloves and berets look towards the sun. It was also revealed that Putin would join President Obama and other European leaders to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said details of the Russian leader's visit were still being worked out. Most of the international leaders in attendance are expected to attend a lunch and formal ceremony on June 6, with other events scheduled throughout the week. 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the news of Putin's visit, saying she 'had hoped that despite the different opinions and the great conflict we have right now, a joint remembrance of a difficult time - of World War II - is possible.' 

Merkel's comments were echoed by French President Francois Hollande. He told a French television station Thursday that while he has differences with Putin, he has not forgotten the millions of Russian lives that were lost in the war.  

Following Russia's annexation of Crimea, Western allies canceled plans to attend a Group of Eight Summit that Putin was scheduled to host in early June in Sochi, site of the 2014 Winter Olympics. 

Instead, the seven other nations in the international economic forum will gather without Russia in Brussels before heading to Normandy. 
Despite efforts to deepen Russia's isolation, U.S. and European officials acknowledge that it would be almost impossible to fully cut off ties with Russia. 

European nations have deep economic connections, particularly with Russia's robust energy sector. Russia is also closely involved with several of Obama's top foreign policy priorities, even negotiating alongside Washington in talks aimed at curbing Iran's nuclear program.

+69

Unity: Veteran soldiers and their families arrive with flowers to witness the Victory Day military parade

+69

Family occasion: An elderly soldier wraps up in his coat to watch the ceremony. A child behind also looks to keep warm

+69

Stripes: Soldiers continue to march as they celebrate the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945

+69

Standing tall: Putin said troops had been pulled back from thew Ukrainian border, but the Pentagon said there was no evidence backing the claim

+69

Flag-raising: A masked gunman stands guard alongside war veterans in Slovyansk. It is a show of Russian patriotism in an area overshadowed by military tension

+69

Gesture: Pro-Russia militia raise their fists as they ride atop armoured vehicles in Slovyansk during a parade of their own

+69

Commemoration: A pro-Russian gunman raises a child atop an armored personal carrier during in Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine. The area has seen violent clashes between Ukrainian troops and militia sympathetic to Moscow

+69

Welcome: A woman reaches out and grabs the hand of a pro-Moscow soldier sitting on top of a rank in Slovyansk

+69

Camouflage: A veteran with a collection of war medals stands behind an insurgent tightly gripping his machine gun

+69

Youth: A member of the Activists of the People's Militia stands next to a a child being carried by a young boy as he holds a rifle in Lugansk

+69

Flowers: A man and child hold out roses as a tank passes through the streets of Slovyansk. Pro-Russian sepratists have scheduled a referendum for Sunday set to decide independence of eastern Ukraine

+69

Colour: Russian World War Two veterans walk during a parade in Sevastapol. The crowd showers them with flowers as they pass

+69

Remembrance: A veteran sailor dressed in his military uniform holds flowers and a flag in the centre of Slovyansk

+69

Overcome with emotion: A veteran wipes his as he walks through the crowd in Sevastapol. Putin arrived in the city to inspect the Russian Black Sea fleet base

+69

Regalia: A former solider covered in medals walks in the parade. An emblem on his uniform suggests he was a member of a tank division

+69

Happy: Residents, young and old, wave Russian flags during a Victory Day military parade in Sevastopol, Crimea

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2624057/Putins-message-Ukraine-Leader-praises-Russias-conquering-patriotism-annual-Red-Square-parade-celebrating-victory-Nazis-Crimean-tensions-continue.html#ixzz31GpfmMFs 
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook