Ukraine Civil War News Updates -- July 26, 2014

A Russian-backed separatist stands next to bodies of Ukrainian crew members of a destroyed tank in the northern outskirts of Donetsk on July 22. © AFP

Ukraine Poised To Try To Reclaim Donetsk, Its Military Says -- Washington Post

KIEV, Ukraine — The Ukrainian military is on the verge of launching an assault to take back the separatist bastion of Donetsk, a military spokesman said Saturday.

Government troops are currently battling rebels in the nearby town of Horlivka and have blocked all roads leading out of Donetsk to prevent the insurgents from replenishing supplies and fighters or escaping, said Andriy Lysenko of the Ukrainian Security and Defense Council. Once Horlivka is under Ukrainian control again, he said, the army will move to retake Donetsk, a city where pro-Russian separatists have held sway for months while declaring it the Donetsk People’s Republic. The Ukrainian military has ousted rebels from 10 surrounding villages and towns in the past week.

“The next one will be Donetsk,” he said. “The city will be liberated.”

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Ukraine Civil War News Updates -- July 26, 2014

Donetsk residents flee fighting; Russians report spike in Ukrainian refugees -- CNN
UN says 230,000 have fled homes in Ukraine crisis -- Daily Times
15 civilians killed in mortar fire attack on Lugansk -- ITAR-TASS
One Killed, Eight Injured in Shelling of Donetsk Region -- RIA Novosti
Russia says Ukraine tried to kill officers in cross-border mortar bombing -- Reuters
Ukraine’s Army Fires Phosphorus Bombs at Donetsk – People’s Republic -- RIA Novosti
Russia hands over 5 wounded Ukrainian servicemen to Ukraine -- ITAR-TASS
Mass grave in E. Ukraine: Terrorist torture or power cut-off in morgue? -- RT
Ukraine, Russia exchange accusations of cross-border attacks -- Al Jazeera
Russia steps up help for rebels in Ukraine war -- Economic Times
Russian support gives rebels in Ukraine critical edge -- USA Today
Ukraine conflict: Russia accuses US of 'smear campaign' -- BBC
Russia says Washington disseminating "unfounded" accusation over Ukraine -- Reuters
U.S.: Russia is firing across border into Ukraine -- Seattle Times/NYT
US State Department Acknowledges Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine -- RIA Novosti
Ukraine bans four Russian TV channels -- ITAR-TASS
Final days could be approaching for Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine -- Mark MacKinnon, The Globe and Mail