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A Ukrainian serviceman stands guard in the city of Schastye in the Luhansk region late last month.
A Ukrainian serviceman stands guard in the city of Schastye in the Luhansk region late last month.
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Live Blog: Ukraine In Crisis (Archive)

Final News Summary For September 1, 2017

-- EDITOR'S NOTE: We have started a new Ukraine Live Blog as of September 2, 2017. Find it here.

-- Ukraine says it will introduce new border-crossing rules from next year, affecting citizens of “countries that pose risks for Ukraine.”

-- The Association Agreement strengthening ties between Ukraine and the European Union entered into force on September 1, marking an end to four years of political drama surrounding the accord.

-- The trial of Crimean journalist Mykola Semena will resume later this month after the first hearing in weeks produced little progress toward a resolution of the politically charged case.

*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Kyiv (GMT +3)

14:50 15.3.2017

Ukrainian-born journalist and RFE/RL contributor Mykola Semena explains to Ron Synovitz why he kept working in Crimea after the territory was annexed by Russia in 2014 -- and why he has risked his personal freedom in order to defend free speech and freedom of the press there.

Crimean Journalist Risks Jail By Refusing To Follow Kremlin Line

Mykola Semena says he was prepared to risk his personal freedom to protect free speech and freedom of the press. (file photo)
Mykola Semena says he was prepared to risk his personal freedom to protect free speech and freedom of the press. (file photo)

In February 2014, when masked Russian troops without insignia seized control of the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, Simferopol-based journalist Mykola Semena grabbed his camera to photograph the invasion that was being denied by the Kremlin.

Weeks later, after Moscow's disputed annexation of the territory, Semena made a fateful decision.

Aged 63 at the time, he opted to remain in the regional capital with his wife in order to document how life was changing in Crimea under the new Russia-installed authorities.

More than ever in his 50-year career, Semena said recently, he saw the urgency of working as an independent journalist in Crimea.

To carry out that work, he became a contributor to RFE/RL's Krym.Realii (Crimea Realities) website, which was set up after Russia's annexation of Crimea in March 2014 and now operates out of RFE/RL's Kyiv bureau.

Meanwhile, Crimea-based media outlets were taken over by the Russian state or by pro-Russia managers.

Journalists who didn't fall into line would either be forced out of work or forced out of Crimea.

Semena didn't fall into line.

Now he faces a possible five-year prison sentence on charges of calling for "the violation of the territorial integrity of Russia."

Read the entire article here.

14:43 15.3.2017

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13:11 15.3.2017

Here is today's map of the latest situation in the Donbas conflict zone, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry:

13:10 15.3.2017

Things are getting restive in Kyiv, as this photo gallery from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service illustrates:

Ukrainian Oligarch's Offices And Russian Bank Attacked In Kyiv

Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January.

Ukrainian Oligarch's Offices And Russian Bank Attacked In Kyiv

Protesters approach the offices of a company belonging to oligarch Rinat Akhmetov in Kyiv.
1/11 Protesters approach the offices of a company belonging to oligarch Rinat Akhmetov in Kyiv.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
A cordon of security forces prevented the protesters reaching the offices.
2/11 A cordon of security forces prevented the protesters reaching the offices.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
Protesters threw stones and flares at the office building, over the heads of the security forces.
3/11 Protesters threw stones and flares at the office building, over the heads of the security forces.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
Afterwards, the protesters turned their attention to a branch of Alfa Bank, a Russian bank operating in Ukraine.
4/11 Afterwards, the protesters turned their attention to a branch of Alfa Bank, a Russian bank operating in Ukraine.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
Ukrainian police in riot gear were also present at the premises of Alfa Bank.
5/11 Ukrainian police in riot gear were also present at the premises of Alfa Bank.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
A protester and a policemen face off.
6/11 A protester and a policemen face off.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
Protesters hurled stones and bottles at the bank, but the police department said its men prevented them entering the premises.
7/11 Protesters hurled stones and bottles at the bank, but the police department said its men prevented them entering the premises.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
The protest began in support of blockades of rail links to areas of Ukraine which are controlled by Russia-backed separatists.
8/11 The protest began in support of blockades of rail links to areas of Ukraine which are controlled by Russia-backed separatists.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
The protests followed an operation by Ukrainian security forces to remove some of the rail blockades. Another Russia bank, Sberbank, was also targeted in recent days.
9/11 The protests followed an operation by Ukrainian security forces to remove some of the rail blockades. Another Russia bank, Sberbank, was also targeted in recent days.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
Protestors smashed windows and also tore down the Alfa Bank sign on the building.
10/11 Protestors smashed windows and also tore down the Alfa Bank sign on the building.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
The following day, the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with separatist-held areas.
11/11 The following day, the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with separatist-held areas.
Nationalists in Kyiv attacked the offices of Ukrainian oligarch Rinat Akhmetov and a Russian bank on March 14. The crowd was protesting against trade with areas of Ukraine controlled by Russia-backed separatists, where Akhmetov has significant business interests. On March 15 the Ukrainian government announced it was suspending all cargo traffic with these areas. Activists have been blockading rail lines to prevent such traffic since January. (By RFE/RL Ukrainian Service)
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13:05 15.3.2017

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