Ukrainian National Guard

A soldier of the Ukrainian National Guard shot at members of the security in a military factory in Dnipro today for unknown reasons, killing five people and wounded five others, the Ukrainian police announced today.

About 290 American paratroopers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade have arrived this week in western Ukraine with the mission to train the Ukrainian troops.

The US paratroopers’ arrival was announced by the US Ambassador to Ukraine via his Twitter account, although the exact number of the instructors was not mentioned in the tweet.

About 300 US paratroopers arrived this week in Ukraine to train the Ukrainian National Guard which is fighting pro-Russian rebels in the east, the US Army said in a statement.

Ukraine's Parliament has approved Stepan Poltorak to take over the Defense Ministry from Valeriy Heletey.

The Verkhovna Rada voted overwhelmingly (245-1) in favor of his candidacy, Interfax Ukraine reports.

Poltorak previously headed the Ukrainian National Guard.

The US intends to provide USD 19M to bolster Ukraine’s military operation, which pro-Kiev authorities conduct against militias in the southeastern regions of the country.

Ceasefire in Ukraine's Donbass region was violated more than 20 times in the last 24 hours, Ukrainian President Poroshenko told German Chancellor Merkel.

He was quoted by Germany's Zeit Online as reporting the truce was "not being observed", just days after Kiev announced its troops were laying down arms used for months against pro-Russian rebels in the east and south.

Ten people died near the town of Slaviansk in eastern Ukraine after pro-Russian separatists shot down a military helicopter.

Outgoing President Oleksandr Turchynov confirmed reports that Gen Serhiy Kulchitsky, a senior National Guard general in response for combat and special training, was among the victims.

The self-proclaimed "Luhansk People's Republic" in the east of Ukraine has declared martial law, the republic's press office announced Thursday.

A full mobilization was declared for men between 28 and 45 years of age, according to Russia's ITAR-TASS agency.

At least 9 Ukrainian soldiers die in clashes in east

DONETSK, LUGANSK -- At least nin Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 20 others were wounded last night in two attacks of pro-Russian rebels in the east of Ukraine.

Ukrainian National Guard killed 20 pro-Russian separatists in the port town of Mariupol, said Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.  

One policeman was also killed.

The hospitals report of at least 25 wounded, including one freelancer of the Russia Today TV channel.