LifeNews is a Russian television network that is well known for having direct connections to the Russian security apparatus. Because of this, LifeNews is also often given unparalleled access to information and breaking news in Russia. But as we've seen over the last few months, that privilege appears to extend beyond the border. LifeNews has been the favored outlet of the Russian-backed militants, who have made some of their boldest claims there. If LifeNews is implicated in procuring a false confession it would be a new low for Russian media coverage of this conflict.
The claim is unconfirmed, though CNN's Kellie Morgan is tweeting that Skiba has been released.
The Ukrainian government has announced the latest phase of their anti-terror operation (ATO) to retake separatist territory in eastern Ukraine. The newest target is perhaps the most important -- Donetsk -- and the Ukrainian army has been slowly surrounding the city for days. Now the ATO is in the final stages of preparation to storm the city. AP reports:
National security spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Ukrainian forces were outside Horlikva north of the main regional center of Donetsk.
Lysenko said at a briefing Saturday that after taking Horlivka, "the direct route is open for the forces of the anti-terrorist operation to the capital of the Donbass region — the city of Donetsk."
The Russian-backed militants have closed off most of the roads into Donetsk. The roads out of Donetsk are flooded with civilians trying to flee the fighting. Ukraine's fifth largest city is on the edge of what could be a very dangerous battle.