Pro-Russian separatists attack Mariupol, inflict latest civilian casualties

Pro-Russian separatists, backed by Russian soldiers, continued their escalated offensive this weekend with the goal of capturing more territory in the Donbas region and destabilizing the Ukrainian economy. The morning of Jan. 24, terrorists shot rockets at residential sections of Mariupol, a strategic city on the frontlines (population 458,500) that serves as a key port and industrial hub. As a result, 29 civilians were killed and 102 were injured, as of the latest statistics offered on Jan. 25 by the Donetsk regional administration of the Interior Ministry. 53 residential, multi-storied apartment buildings were damaged by the attack, as well as four schools and three nurseries, said on Jan. 24 Oleh Kalinin, the press secretary of the Mariupol mayoralty.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko deemed the attack on Mariupol “not only a terrorist act, but a crime against humanity subject to the Hague tribunal.” The international community must offer a decisive rebuff to the crimes of terrorists and strengthen all forms of pressure against those who sponsor and closely support them, he said. In his turn, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov blamed the heightened conflict on Ukrainian forces constantly shooting at residential areas, which grossly violates the Minsk accords during a Jan. 25 phone call with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. He said the Ukrainian government has yet to respond to Russian President Putin’s Jan. 15 proposal to withdraw heavy artillery.

The Security Service of Ukraine counterintelligence unit released an audio recording on Jan. 24 in which pro-Russian separatists plan to attack civilians in a densely populated district of Mariupol using rapid-fire rocket systems, as posted on the Ukrayinska Pravda news site. The recording also features the terrorist confirming the attack had been executed. Ukraine’s Armed Forces destroyed four of the six Grad rapid-fire rocket systems used against the residents of Mariupol, said on Jan. 24 Stepan Poltorak, the Ukrainian Defense Minister.

Pro-Russian separatists are ceasing attempts to negotiate a ceasefire with the Ukrainian government, said on Jan. 24 Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the self-proclaimed leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic, as reported by the RIA Novosti news agency. Instead, he threatened to attack on three fronts. “We will fight until we reach the border of the Donetsk region,” he said, declaring his strategy to be first taking Sloviansk, and then Mariupol, as tweeted by independent British journalist Oliver Carroll. The same night as the terrorist attack on Mariupol, Zakharchenko declared that his army launched an offensive on Mariupol that day, reported the Ukrayinska Pravda news site.

The Russian government is to blame for its sponsored terrorists having attacked Mariupol, a peaceful city far from the separation lines, the U.S. Mission to NATO reported on Jan. 24, citing U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. “The new offensive by the separatists, not only in Mariupol and Debaltseve but along the entire separation lines, was supported and encouraged by the irresponsible and dangerous decisions by Russia to supply them during the last few weeks with hundreds of new armaments, including rocket systems, heavy artillery, tanks, and armored vehicles, in addition to operative command and control,” he said. Kerry called upon the Russian government to immediately halt its support for the separatists, to close its border with Ukraine and remove all arms, fighters and financial support.

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini called upon the Russian government to use its “significant influence” on the separatist leaders and halt its military, political and financial support, “which will allow for avoiding catastrophic consequenes for all.” The Mariupol attack occurred after a series of attacks in Donbas in the last few days, which were accompanied by the declaration of a further onslaught of separatist forces supported by Russia, which directly refuse to uphold the ceasefire regime, she said in a Jan. 24 statement. “This will inevitably lead to further serious worsening in relations between the EU and Russia,” she said.

Zenon Zawada: The big question is whether the latest series of attacks on civilian targets, leading up to the deadliest incident so far in Mariupol, will lead to heightened sanctions against the Russian government from the U.S. and EU. They are to be discussed at a special session of the EU Foreign Ministers Council on Jan. 29. Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama vowed to intensify pressure against the Russian government.

We view a new round of sanctions as likely, but not guaranteed. But even if a new round of sanctions emerges, we believe the Russian government is already preparing for them and has factored them in. So we don’t expect a new round of sanctions to have any effect on the war. If the Western governments are serious on halting Putin, they need to pursue a new approach beyond the standard sanctions, we believe.