Malaysia Airlines Jet Brought Down by Missile

The Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 with 298 people aboard was blown out of the sky today at 33,000 feet by what Ukrainian and U.S. officials described as a Russian-made antiaircraft missile. The plane crashed on a wheat field in a part of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia separatists. Everyone aboard was killed. (The New York Times, 17 July)

U.S. intelligence and military officials said the plane had been destroyed by a Russian SA-series missile, based on surveillance satellite data that showed the final trajectory and impact of the missile but not its point of origin, the Times reported.

The separatists had in recent days bragged about shooting down at least three Ukrainian military aircraft. This time, they could have mistaken MH 17 flight with a Ukrainian military aircraft.

“This is a tragic day in what has already been a tragic year for Malaysia,” said Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia. “If it transpires that the plane was indeed shot down, we insist that the perpetrators must swiftly be brought to justice.”

Photo credit: The crash site of a Malaysia Airlines 777 carrying 298 people in the Donets region of Ukraine. (Dmitry Lovetsky/AP/NYTimes)

Poroshenko Apparent Victor in Ukraine Election

Ukrainian business tycoon Petro Poroshenko has claimed victory in the country's presidential election. Exit polls show that he will receive 55% of the vote.

Announcing his victory, Poroshenko promised to forge closer links with the EU and restore peace in restive eastern regions, where pro-Russian separatists disrupted voting. Poroshenko has also said he would never recognize Russia's annexation of Crimea.

The apparent president-elect promised he would support a parliamentary election in the country later this year.

Photo credit: Petro Poroshenko, expected to win Ukraine’s presidency (Reuters)

Odessa Philharmonic Performing for Peace and Joy

Hobart Earle and Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra performing at the legendary Odessa Privoz market on Saturday 22 March; generating a powerful and exhilarating atmosphere amid the tense situation of the past few days.

Russia Vetos UNSC Resolution on Crimea

One day before Crimea holds a referendum to leave Ukraine and join Russia, the Russians vetoed a UN Security Council resolution to affirm Ukraine’s “sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity.”

Russia cast the sole vote against the resolution. Even China, which normally supports Russia at the Security Council, did not support the Russian position on Crimea and abstained from voting. 

Thirteen of the Council’s 15 members voted in favor of the resolution: United States, Britain, France, Argentina, Australia, Chad, Chile, Jordan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Nigeria, South Korea and Rwanda.

Photo credit: Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vitaly Churkin, casting the sole negative vote against Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Twitter)

Russians in Crimea

Russian troops in Crimea, preparing to negotiate with US on referendum! 

Photo: Twitter/pic.twitter.com/uUqXgXRcRl/@ianbremmer

Polish FM Cuts Short Iran Visit - Crimea Crisis

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski has cut short a visit to Tehran to deal with deepening Crimea crisis. Sikorski told a news conference with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif that he was returning to Warsaw because “the situation is getting more critical” and called for an end to “provocative” Russian troop movements in Crimea. (AFP/ISNA/RFERL, 1 March)

Sikorski arrived in Iran on Friday night for what was meant to be a three-day visit – and the first visit to Iran by a Polish foreign minister in 10 years.

Sikorski was one of the three European foreign ministers who mediated between former Ukrainian president Yanukovich and the opposition to form a transitional government of national unity before Yanukovich fled the country.  He has in the past warned Russia not to violate the terms of 1994 Budapest Accord, signed by Russia, U.S. and UK, guaranteeing the territorial integrity of Ukraine in lieu of Ukraine giving up its nuclear weapon stockpile.

The Crimea came under control of the Russian military a week after the Kiev uprising. The new Ukrainian government of acting President Oleksandr Turchynov and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has called the Russian military intervention an act of aggression and violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

But Russian officials have said they were not violating Ukrainian territorial integrity, only guaranteeing security for Russian citizens in the area, and President Vladimir Putin today added that he had ordered Russian government “to consult with other nations as well as the International Monetary Fund on means of financial assistance for Ukraine.” Putin also said that efforts “to maintain and promote trade between Russia and Ukraine” should continue. (Washington Post, 1 March)

UPDATE: The Russian parliament on Saturday approved military invasion of Crimea.

File photo: Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski (AFP)

Saturday Revolution in Kiev

The day started with expectations for a political solution to the crisis, and ended with the victory of the revolution!

This morning, President Yanukovich leaves Kiev for Kharkiv and is reportedly stopped by the border guards from flying to Russia. Former premier Yulia Tymoshenko takes the opposite route: is released from detention in Kharkiv, flies to Kiev, and addresses thousands of Ukrainians at Independence Square, now called Maidan (“The Square”), the epicenter of the Ukrainian revolution. She ends her speech by declaring, “Glory to Ukraine!”

Meanwhile, the people march toward the presidential office, found no guards there, and occupy the building, the seat of power; doing so very orderly. This revolution will go down as having one of the most orderly finishes, barring any counterattack by Yanukovich’s supporters, seemingly unlikely so late in the game.

The Rada, Ukrainian parliament, makes it formal: it impeaches Yanukovich and calls early presidential election.

The victorious people then pay visit to the presidential residence, built by Yanukovich few years ago, and where he spent the night on Friday. The visitors see a huge presidential chalet, inside a huge compound, housing other mansions and, yes, a private zoo. The surrealism of it all will remain with us for years to come.

On Sunday, we will have a new Ukraine: “Glory to Ukraine!”

Above photo: The Maidan, 22 February 2014; the day revolution triumphed. (The New Republic)

Below Photos: Yanukovych's private collection of antique and modern cars as well as motorbikes and a scene from his private zoo at the presidential compound he built during his presidency. (Twitter)