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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Ukrainian ombudsperson visits Russian citizens in prison

The spokesman noted that the two Russians’ health condition was satisfactory. "One of them, Yerofeyev, has some problems with his hand, but the treatment is underway," ombudsperson’s spokesman said

TV screen showing Alexander Alexandrov AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov

TV screen showing Alexander Alexandrov

© AP Photo/Sergei Chuzavkov

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KIEV, August 17. /TASS/. Ukrainian human rights ombudsperson Valeria Lutkovskaya has visited in prison on Monday Russian citizens Alexander Alexandrov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev who were detained in May in the town of Schastye in the Luhansk region, the ombudsperson’s spokesman Mikhail Chaplyga told TASS.

"A few hours ago the ombudsperson personally talked with the Russians for the first time since their transfer to the detention center," he said.

According to Chaplyga, after the Russians’ transfer to the detention facility they were visited by Russia’s Consul in Ukraine. "He also visited them during their stay in the hospital, there were no obstacles to his visits," he said.

The spokesman noted that the two Russians’ health condition was satisfactory. "One of them, Yerofeyev, has some problems with his hand, but the treatment is underway," Chaplyga said.

He added that Alexandrov and Yerofeyev had an opportunity to meet their relatives but only through their lawyers.

Alexandrov and Yerofeyev were detained by the Ukrainian military on May 16 near the town of Schastye in the Lugansk region. The Ukrainian authorities said that the detainees were allegedly Russian servicemen. However, the Russian Defence Ministry said on May 18 that "Russian citizens Alexander Alexandrov and Yevgeny Yerofeyev captured by the Ukrainian Security Service in the Lugansk region were not active duty military personnel at the moment of their detention."

On May 22, a district court in Kiev arrested the two Russian citizens. The Kiev Court of Appeal ruled on June 10 that they should remain in custody, thereby confirming the ruling of the court of original jurisdiction.

The trial of Aleksandrov and Yerofeyev is scheduled for September.

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Eastern Ukraine

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Russia vetoes US-backed UNSC resolution on banning nuclear weapons in outer space

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US military aid for Kiev cannot stop Russian army’s advance — North Korean diplomat

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Russian children’s commissioner holds first face-to-face talks with Ukrainian counterparts

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Ukrainian troops in Kharkov Region lift antennas with kites to get better signal

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Ukraine’s EU accession to require 20% increase in union’s budget — European Commissioner

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Russia to retaliate immediately if Kiev gets ATACMS missiles — diplomat

Konstantin Gavrilov also noted that the "manic efforts" of some Western OSCE member countries to isolate Russia "are futile and will backfire on their initiators"

Proper humanitarian assistance to Gaza impossible amid hostilities — Russian diplomat

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Radioactive cloud from Ukraine’s eliminated munitions drifts to Europe — Security Council

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EU may sanction 10 firms for allegedly shipping weapons tech to Russia — Bloomberg

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Anti-Russian measures prove world cannot exist in unipolar diktat, envoy says

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Ukraine turns into testing ground for future world order, says Belarus president

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Lukashenko says US rues giving rise to Russia-China alliance

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Russia maintains position on 'buffer zone' in Ukraine to counter missile threats

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Press review: Dissecting US aid package to Ukraine and sands of global economy shifting

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Putin proclaims Odessa Russian city, challenges Ukraine's historical narrative

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Continued threats to Pyongyang to put US, allies in danger, Kim Jong Un’s sister warns

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Ukraine’s draft dodger makes attempt to cross Dniester into Moldova on air mattress

Men of conscription age try to leave the country in every possible way, often putting their lives at risk

Putin informed about detention of Deputy Defense Minister Ivanov

Minister Sergey Shoigu was also informed beforehand, Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said

Russia’s victory in Ukraine to change course of history in Europe — von der Leyen

Ukraine "is carrying a heavy burden" for the benefit of the EU, and therefore EU member states must "provide Ukraine with means to defend themselves," European Commission president said

Ukrainian forces refuse to obey Commander-in-Chief Syrsky — CIA ex-analyst

Larry Johnson also noted that the Russian forces manage to advance recently despite the slush on the roads