Kyiv: 3 Ukrainian troops die in past 24 hours in E Ukraine

Kyiv. Ukraine’s worst political crisis since its independence in 1991 is focused in eastern regions, notably Donetsk and Lugansk, which plan a contested leadership vote on Sunday that Moscow says it will recognise, AFP reported.

Here are key dates in the conflict, which has left more than 3,700 dead since April according to United Nations data, and forced over 800,000 from their homes.

APRIL

  • 6: Pro-Moscow demonstrators seize government buildings in nearly a dozen towns and cities in Ukraine’s Russian-speaking east, including Donetsk and Lugansk, both capitals of industrial regions of the same name on the border with Russia.
  • 13: Kyiv announces the launch of an “anti-terrorist” operation in the east.

MAY

  • 11: Voters call for independence in referendums in Lugansk and Donetsk, rejected as illegitimate by Kyiv and its Western allies.
  • 25: Ukraine’s snap presidential election is won by Petro Poroshenko in the first round.
  • 26: Intense fighting breaks out for control of Donetsk airport.

JUNE

  • 14: Separatists shoot down a Ukrainian military transport plane, killing 49 people, one of a string of aircraft downings.
  • 27: The European Union and Ukraine sign the political and economic association agreement whose rejection by former pro-Russian leader Viktor Yanukovych in 2013 had sparked the Ukraine crisis. Moscow rejects the accord and calls for changes.

JULY

  • 5-6: Rebels abandon positions in their stronghold Slavyansk as Ukrainian army troops advance.
  • 17: Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is shot down over rebel-held territory, killing 298 people from more than a dozen countries. The rebels and Moscow reject allegations they were responsible.
  • 29: The European Union and the United States broaden sanctions on Russia, which they accuse of supporting the rebellion.

AUGUST

  • 7: Russia bans most US and EU food imports in reprisal.
  • 25: Rebels mount a counter-offensive in the southeast, reportedly backed by Russian troops and heavy weapons. In the ensuing fighting, Kyiv loses at least 100 soldiers in Ilovaysk.
  • 29: Ukraine announces intention to push for NATO membership.

SEPTEMBER
– 5: Twelve-point ceasefire signed in Minsk, but does not completely end fighting.
NATO leaders agree to set up a rapid reaction force in eastern Europe.
– 16: Ukrainian and European parliaments jointly ratify the association agreement.
Ukrainian parliament adopts a law giving limited self-rule to eastern regions and amnesty to fighters.

  • 20: Kyiv and the rebels sign a nine-point deal creating a demilitarised zone.
  • 23: Rebels say they will hold their own votes on November 2 to select leaders and parliaments.

OCTOBER

  • 12: Russian President Vladimir Putin orders that 17,600 Russian troops be pulled back from the border with Ukraine. NATO says a few days later that it has not seen major troop movements.
  • 17: Putin meets Poroshenko on the sidelines of a summit in Milan, but it does not lead to significant agreements.
  • 26: Pro-West parties win big in Ukraine general elections that are boycotted in the rebel-held east.
  • 28: Russia says it will recognise separatist elections in the east on November 2.
  • 29: Russia and Ukraine forge gas supply agreement after fraught negotiations.