18,5% українців бракує грошей навіть на їжу

18,5% українців заявляють, що їм не вистачає грошей навіть на їжу, а дозволити собі купити все можуть лише 0,1% громадян. 

Про це свідчать результати дослідження, проведеного Київським міжнародним інститутом соціології.

При цьому 51,3% опитаних сказали, що їм вистачає грошей на їжу, але купувати одяг вже важко. Ще 26,5% заявили, що їм вистачає грошей на їжу, одяг і навіть можуть дещо відкладати; 2,6% сказали, що можуть дозволити собі купувати деякі дорогі речі, а 0,1% – що сім’я може дозволити собі купити все, що захоче. Не змогли визначитися 1% опитаних.

При цьому вірять у те, що через рік їхня сім’я житиме краще, трохи більше 20% опитаних. Так, вважають, що будуть жити набагато краще – 1,9%, дещо краще – 19,7%.

Разом з тим 20,2% українців вважають, що через рік їхня сім’я буде жити трохи гірше, а ще 6,9% – набагато гірше.

Відповідь «так само, як зараз» дали 36,4%. Не змогли відповісти на запитання 14,8%, а 0,1% відмовилися відповідати. Крім того, 22,9% українців вважають себе щасливими людьми, ще 31,1% – сказали: «скоріше так, ніж ні».

Також 25,2% українців на запитання, чи вважають вони себе зараз щасливими, відповіли: «І так, і ні»; 11,1% – «скоріше ні, ніж так», не вважають себе щасливими – 7,6%. Не змогли відповісти на запитання 2% опитаних.

Russia-linked DNC hackers 'targeted Ukrainian army'

Ukrainian national guard troops with a D-30 122mm Howitzer

The Russian hackers who attacked the Democratic National Convention used a variant of the same malware to target Ukrainian troops fighting Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, US security experts have said.  

Crowd Strike, the California-based cyber security firm that investigated the DNC hack, said on Thursday that it had found malware associated with the Fancy Bear hacking group infecting a targeting app used by Ukrainian artillery officers. 

Fancy Bear, or APT 28, is one of two Russian-linked groups that penetrated the DNC computers. Crowdstrike concluded following its investigation that the group is run by the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency.

Adam Meyers, the company's vice president of intelligence, said on Thursday that the company had found a previously unknown Android variant of X-agent or Sofacy, the software Fancy Bear used used to remotely access the DNC’s computers, infecting an app used by Ukrainian soldiers to speed up artillery targeting.

Information gathered by the program, which is used exclusively by Fancy Bear, could have been used by the Russian military to locate and destroy Ukrainian forces, he said.  

 “The ability of this malware to retrieve communications and gross locational data from an infected device makes it an attractive way to identify the general location of Ukrainian artillery forces and engage them,” Mr Meyers wrote in a blog post. 

The infected Android app was originally developed by a Ukrainian artillery officer called Yaroslov Sherstuk to streamline the processing of targeting data for the D30 122mm howitzer, a Soviet-designed artillery piece widely used in the war in Donbas. 

Ukrainian press reports in Autumn 2014 reported that Mr Sherstuk’s application reduced the targeting time for the D30 from minutes to seconds – a potentially life-saving advantage in the artillery duels that have defined the war in east Ukraine. It has reportedly been used by up to 9,000 soldiers. 

The funeral of Volodymyr Andreshkiv, a Ukrainian soldier killed during a surge of fighting near the town of Debaltseve in east Ukraine.  CREDIT: SERGEY DOLZHENKO/EPA

Mr Meyers told the Telegraph that he believes Russian hackers set up a fake social networking site where they tricked Ukrainian servicemen into downloading a contaminated version of the software. 

He said that the malware would have allowed attackers to monitor Ukrainian units' rough position on the battlefield "in real time" using GPS. 

"We believe it was very likely used in that way," he said, adding that drones may have been used to clarify a unit's position once the app had located their approximate whereabouts.  

It is unclear how many servicemen were using a contaminated version, rather than genuine, version of the program.

Mr Sherstuk was dismissive of the Crowdstrike report, writing on Facebook that the article was "delusional and written for amateurs." 

"So it is clear to everyone, distribution of the software is still under my control and is not in the public domain, and the activation is controlled personally by me," he wrote.  "Without any doubts you can continue to download from me personally," he added.

In a later post he advised users to delete older versions of the app. 

The revelation came a day after a report documenting the extent of Russian shelling of Ukrainian territory during the height of the war in the summer of 2014.

Russian artillery fired thousands of shells across the border at targets in Ukraine in at least 149 separate attacks during the summer of 2014, Bellingcat, the citizen journalism and open source intelligence group, said in a report on Wednesday.

At least 9,758 people have died in eastern Ukraine since hostilities broke out between Russian-backed separatists and government forces in April 2014, according to the United Nations.  

Russia publically denies intervening in the war in Ukraine.

Fighting and shelling continues on a near daily basis  despite a nominal ceasefire agreed by Vladimir Putin and Petro Poroshenko, the Ukrainian president, in February 2015. 

Ukraine said at least five of its soldiers were killed during an upsurge of fighting near the town of Debaltseve earlier this week.

 by   Roland Oliphant 

Ukraine is climbing towards true democracy – but we need the West's help

The democratic gains of the Ukrainian Revolution must be defended 

Three years ago, Ukraine was still wavering between a creeping authoritarian rule and a fading democracy. Many, including myself, looked with enthusiasm towards a groundbreaking association agreement with the EU being inked in late November 2013. Failing to meet those expectations came as a humiliation for millions of Ukrainians, who aspired for welfare, respect, and above all a definitive break with the past.

Quickly, mass protests spiraled into what we now call the Revolution of Dignity, an unrelenting display of our people’s will, that ultimately forced the bankrupt regime from power and breathed new hope into a future Ukraine that would be part of Europe.

The three years since then have not been an easy journey. One could hardly find another country in Europe, or beyond, which, whilst facing a foreign occupation, would undertake ambitious reforms from the ground up. Equally unique is our achievement of addressing both challenges simultaneously. Starting the reform process from scratch, we have gradually stopped the bleeding, especially in regards to the economic situation, thus strengthening our resilience. 

Ukraine’s army is no longer weak and unprepared as it was back in 2014. Thanks to the expertise and assistance of our partners, including the US and the EU, and the bravery of the Ukrainian people, our military is now able to firmly stand its ground. Isn’t that what makes Russia’s forces in Donbass and their mercenaries nervous to the extent that they continue testing us by shelling along the contact line? Despite Ukraine’s numerous initiatives on a long-lasting ceasefire – something our military has always respected – the other side has displayed little restraint, deliberately breaking the peace and bringing more destruction and loss of life to my country. 

But Russia shoots itself in the foot every time it fires a shot in Ukraine. Having started with Crimea in 2014, the Kremlin went on to target the Donbass to divert attention from its blatant violations of international law. Concealing the truth may work for a short while, but not forever. This November in New York, the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee decided against Russia’s lies in a draft resolution on human rights in Crimea. Upholding international law is not easy, but it is a solid and legitimate path. With this resolution to recognize Russia as an occupying power and Crimea as Ukraine’s territory under temporary occupation (not annexation!), we are preparing the ground for an imminent de-occupation of the peninsula. As stated back in 2014, we will bring Crimea back into Ukraine not by means of war, but by peace. And, most importantly, by example.

 Ukrainian soldiers during a ceasefire outside Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine

Ukraine has everything necessary for the latter, because our journey to European-style democracy has now passed a point of no return. We have held free and fair national and local elections. We have stabilised our economy against the double shock created by instability and war. We have cleaned up our banking system to bring back macro-economic stability. We have uprooted energy dependence on Russia. Indeed, for the first time in history, we have not bought a single cubic meter of gas from Russia in over a year. We have also established a new police and done away with the previous force, which for years has been notorious for corruption. We have made public procurement transparent under a new innovative system. 

With millions of dollars saved, we are even starting to win Ukraine’s fight against corruption. For years, fed by Russia’s example and resources, this corruption became a weapon against Ukraine’s interests. In my opinion, there is nothing more effective than a resilient, transparent and vibrant political system. This is why we established our new anti-corruption e-declarations system in October. As a result of this mandatory process – the most advanced in the world – more than 103.000 officials, including myself, submitted their declarations of assets for full public scrutiny. By 2017, the number of e-declarations will multiply to more than 300.000 officials, removing every avenue to concealing corrupt activities. 

Nationalist activists burn tires in Kiev on the third anniversary of the Euromaidan protests

As we commemorate the third anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity, we are committed to continue on this path – however challenging it might be. After all, Ukrainians are the most euro-optimistic people. That is why a Ukrainian success story will also be a success story for the EU and beyond. In this effort, the continued backing of our partners is critical, be it for the swift ratification of the association agreement, visa free travel with the EU, political and financial assistance to Ukraine, or maintaining the sanctions policy against Russia.

Doing proper justice to the principles and sprit of the Revolution of Dignity, our partnership and solidarity with our Western partners needs to endure. Nothing would advance Ukraine’s reform efforts more successfully – and nothing would be more effective in deterring those who try to undermine us.

Petro Poroshenko is the President of Ukraine

Ukraine detains two Russian soldiers near Crimean border

Masked men acting in the name of Russia take over an administrative building in Crimea's capital, Simferopol, in 2014

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine flared on Tuesday after Moscow accused the Ukrainian security service of abducting two of its soldiers near the de facto border with Crimea, annexed by the Kremlin in 2014.

“We consider this to be an unlawful provocation carried out by Ukraine’s security service on Russian territory,” said Sergei Lavrov, Russian foreign minister.

Ukraine said the men, named as Ensign Maxim Odintsov and Junior Sergeant Alexander Baranov by the Russian defense ministry, served in the Ukrainian army before deserting to Russia following Moscow’s seizure of Crimea in March 2014.

It said they were detained on Sunday after crossing the Chongar checkpoint into Ukrainian-controlled territory.

"We did not abduct anyone - we arrested two deserters who had crossed the border,” said SBU spokeswoman Yelena Gitlyanskaya.

She said the men could face criminal charges.

“We consider the actions of the Ukraine security service another crude provocation and demand their immediate return,” Russia’s defence ministry said.

It also warned Ukraine could use “psychological and physical” pressure to force the men into confessing to plotting “crimes against Ukraine”.

Ukraine has charged all military personnel who remained in Russian-controlled Crimea after its annexation with desertion. There were some 20,000 Ukrainian servicemen stationed in Crimea when it was seized by Russia.

Ukraine's chief military prosecutor, Anatoliy Matios, said earlier this year that only around 6,000 had returned to mainland Ukraine.

A Russian Black Sea Fleet official told Russian media that the two servicemen had been “lured” into Ukraine with the promise of higher education certificates.

The incident comes after a number of Ukrainian citizens were arrested by Russian forces in Crimea earlier this month and accused of plotting terrorist acts. Russian state media broadcast footage of several people confessing to the allegations.

In July, Vladimir Putin, the Russian leader, convened his security council after alleged incursions by Ukrainian forces into Crimea.

Mr Putin said a Russian intelligence officer and a soldier had been killed and vowed that Russia would respond.

Ukraine’s president, Petro Poroshenko, called the accusations “cynical and insane”, and said they were a pretext for military threats against Ukraine.

Relations between Russia and Ukraine plummeted after Ukraine’s pro-Moscow president, Viktor Yanukovych, was ousted by pro-European demonstrators in February 2014.

Some 10,000 people have been killed in fighting between forces loyal to the Ukrainian government and Russian-backed separatists in east Ukraine since fighting broke out there in April 2014.

• BY  Marc Bennetts, moscow 

Значно активізувались бої на Донецькому напрямку лінії фронту

Терористи пішли у наступ на Авдіївську промзону із використанням мінометів та важкої артилерії. Українські оборонці вистояли та відігнали ворога. Один український воїн загинув та шестеро отримали поранення. 

Найгарячіша ситуація залишається на околицях Маріуполя. По Грантіному, Новотроїцькому, Павлополю та Широкиному били із важких мінометів, а селище Водяне рівняли з землею ствольною артилерією калібром 152 міліметри.

'Declaration of war' in Ukraine as pro-Russian rebel commander Arseniy 'Motorola' Pavlov is assassinated in Donetsk lift bombing

Arseny Pavlov, who was a leading rebel commander, was killed in an attack that also claimed the life of his bodyguard CREDIT: TASS/ALAMY

One of Ukraine's most notorious separatist commanders suspected of committing war crimes has been assassinated in a bomb attack, prompting fears of a military escalation in the country’s embattled east.

Arseniy Pavlov, 33, a Russian-born mercenary better known by his nickname Motorola, was murdered alongside his bodyguard on Sunday when an improvised explosive device detonated in the lift of his apartment block in Donetsk, a stronghold for Moscow-backed separatists.

Grisly footage later showed a bloodied, debris-strewn corridor and a collection of ammunition, smoke bombs and knives salvaged from the men, who were clad in full body armour and heavily armed when the remote-controlled bomb exploded.

A military vehicle near an apartment building in Donetsk after Arseny Pavlov was killed by a bomb placed in a lift CREDIT: MIKHAIL SOKOLOV/TASS

While rebel leaders blamed Sunday’s bombing on a Ukrainian sabotage group, Pavlov’s slick murder bears all the hallmarks of an inside job, possibly with the involvement of Russian special forces. 

The maverick had gained a reputation as one of the most unwieldy and brutal warlords in the industrial Donbas region, presenting a potential rogue element within the chain of command. 

Ukrainian government forces have been fighting Russian-backed separatists since 2014 in a war that has claimed around 10,000 lives. Intensified violence in recent weeks has seen hundreds of daily explosions along the front, including the use of grad missiles.

Pavlov, a former blue-collar worker and veteran of Russia’s second war in Chechnya, had led the "Sparta Battalion" against Ukrainian troops, later becoming a key figure in the devastating battle for Donetsk’s airport and boasting of executing 15 Ukrainian prisoners-of-war. 

Arseny Pavlov pictured at the Union of Donbass Volunteers congress in Moscow last year CREDIT: SERGEI KARPUKHIN/REUTERS

His demise not only marks the loss of one of the war's most sinister personalities but also fits into a disturbing pattern of disappearances and mysterious deaths of prominent figures in Ukraine’s volatile breakaway regions.

“Some suspect that Motorola was killed over an internal fight over control of the black market,” a regime source with links to senior separatists told The Telegraph. 

“Others are saying that handlers higher up the chain are cleaning up first-generation rebels to destroy any incriminating evidence and remove witnesses to war crimes. The Kremlin needs its proxies to have a more acceptable public face.” 

In the wake of Pavlov’s death, Aleksandr Zakharchenko, leader of the DNR, accused Kiev’s forces of breaking the ceasefire and warned that “no mercy will be given” to Ukrainian soldiers and intelligence officers. 

He described Pavlov as a “close friend” and said his death amounted to “a declaration of war.”

Ukraine's former head of foreign intelligence, Mykola Malomuzh, claimed that Pavlov had been in “serious dispute” with other pro-Russian militants, adding that his death was either approved by Moscow or the result of a “domestic showdown”.

All parties to the Ukraine conflict agreed to a peace deal brokered by Germany and France in February 2015, but while the so-called Minsk accords reduced the intensity of fighting, they failed to stop it. 

                                                                                       BY JACK LOSH

Австралія повідомила, коли назвуть винних у катастрофі MH17 Імена відповідальних за катастрофу літака назвуть або наприкінці поточного, або на початку наступного року.

Імена відповідальних за атаку на малайзійський "Боїнг" рейсу MH17 можуть бути названі до кінця цього року, повідомляє Reuters з посиланням на заяву міністра закордонних справ Австралії Джулі Бішопа. 

"До кінця року, можливо, на початку наступного року, список тих, хто, як ми вважаємо, повинен бути притягнутий до відповідальності буде підтверджений, а потім повинен бути судовий процес", - повідомив він. Як повідомлялося, міжнародна команда з розслідування катастрофи літака "Боїнг" рейсу МН17, що сталася 17 липня 2014 року, дійшла висновку, що лайнер було збито ракетою, випущеною із ЗРК "Бук", доставленого з території Росії. 

Катастрофа літака Boeing-777 рейсу MH17 забрала життя 283 пасажирів та 15 членів екіпажу, в тому числі 80 дітей. Найбільше серед загиблих було громадян Нідерландів, Малайзії та Австралії. 

http://www.unian.ua/world/1550391-avstraliya-povidomila-koli-nazvut-vinnih-u-katastrofi-mh17.html