Ukrainian parliament establishes state award for 'civil war heroes'

Authorized representative of the Ukrainian president for peaceful settlement of the situation in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, Irina Gerashchenko, said Tuesday, July 1, that the achievement of peace in eastern Ukraine remains a key objective for Petro Poroshenko, although methods for achieving peace are changing. 

"Peace in the east of the country remains a key objective of the president, but the methods of restore peace are changing. The President proceeds to plan B," Gerashchenko told reporters Tuesday. According to her, the president wants the military to neutralize militias, but civilians should not suffer in the oiperations, RIA Novosti reported. 

The end of the truce in Donbass brought new victims. A shuttle bus with passengers came under attack from security forces near the town of Kramatorsk. Four people were killed, RIA Novosti reported citing the press service of the Donetsk Regional State Administration. 

Five more people suffered injuries of varying severity. The wounded were taken to medical institutions of the town. 

According to preliminary information, one of the shells hit a blood transfusion station.

The Ukrainian army resumed shelling Kramatorsk again on Tuesday night, immediately after the truce expired. 

On Tuesday, July 1, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine established the Order of Heroes of Heavenly Hundred. Amendments to the law "On State Awards of Ukraine" regarding the establishment of the new order were supposed by 244 deputies out of 348 registered in the session hall. 

As noted in the explanatory memorandum to the law, the new order is established as an award for civil courage, patriotism, upholding constitutional principles of democracy, human rights and freedoms, active charity and social activities in Ukraine, manifested during the "Revolution of dignity" in November 2013 - February 2014, as well as during other events related to the protection of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. 

"Heavenly Hundred" refers to those killed during mass protests in Kiev from December 2013 to February 2014. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, from 30 November 2013 to 14 April 2014, 106 people died during protests in Kiev and regions of Ukraine. Medical volunteers of Maidan, however, stated that during the riots more than 700 people were killed. Monuments to the "Heavenly Hundred" were erected in Kiev and other Ukrainian towns and villages.

It is not clear, whether the order will be awarded to neo-Nazis, who died, killing residents of Donbass. One of those fascists, a leader of the "Right Sector" radical movement, Alexander Muzychko, shot himself twice in the heart, trying to escape from police.

Pravda.Ru