Separatists claim capture of territory in Debaltseve, Ukraine

Tank in Debaltseve

Despite the ceasefire deal, fighting continues in Ukraine:

February 17, 2015

Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine claimed Tuesday to have taken the key transportation hub of Debaltseve as both parties faced a deadline to start pulling back heavy weapons from the front line.Fierce fighting on Tuesday appeared to be focused on Debaltseve, a government-held town surrounded by rebel forces that both sides claim to be on their side of the cease-fire line. The issue was not resolved under a cease-fire agreement negotiated last week by the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France.

Separatist leaders said in remarks carried by the rebel mouthpiece Donetsk News Agency on Tuesday afternoon that their forces have pushed the Ukrainian army out of Debaltseve, gaining control over most of the town.

Associated Press reporters saw artillery rounds fired Tuesday from Ukrainian government positions at rebel positions around Debaltseve. Sustained shelling was heard in the area all morning, some coming from Grad rocket launchers.

Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko told reporters Tuesday that the separatists continued to attack government positions overnight around Debaltseve and that the pullout hinged on the cease-fire being fully observed. He said at least five troops were killed and nine injured in the past 24 hours in the war zone. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-pro-russia-rebels-deabltseve-cease-fire-heavy-weapons-deadline/

February 17, 2015

Pro-Russian rebels and Ukraine’s military are both refusing to pull back their weapons from a strategic eastern Ukrainian town, where fighting continues despite an internationally brokered cease-fire.

Although the truce deal that went into effect Sunday has led to decreased hostilities elsewhere in the war zone, fighting has persisted in Debaltseve…

Under the terms of the cease-fire, both sides were to begin withdrawing heavy weapons from the flashpoint town on Tuesday. But as the deadline passed, each side insisted they would not be the first to make such a move.

“As soon as the militants cease fire, the Ukrainian side will begin to withdraw heavy weaponry from the frontline,” Ukrainian military spokesman Anatoliy Stelmakh said in televised comments.

Rebels: ‘Moral’ right

Rebel spokesman Denis Pushilin told Reuters the separatists have the “moral” right to defend the city, which he called “internal territory.” He also said the rebels were ready for a mutual withdrawal, but will continue to “respond to fire.” …

On Monday, separatists offered Ukrainian forces safe-passage out of Debaltseve if they laid down their arms. But Ukraine promptly rejected the idea and said the town lies within its territory under the truce negotiated at the four-nation summit in Minsk, Belarus.

The devastated town has seen major fighting constantly since earlier truce efforts failed last month. http://www.voanews.com/content/merkel-ukriaine-russia-agree-to-allow-monitors-in-contested-town/2647007.html

The ceasefire deal stated that both sides would pull heavy weapons out by today. But, basically both sides are waiting for the other to pull theirs out first.

This not only seems to be a violation of the ceasefire deal by both sides,it basically suggests that neither side value the ceasefire arrangement nor believes it will result in what each side wants.

The ceasefire deal in September 2014 did not last. This February 2015 deal agreed to just last week is already having problems.

The Ukrainian government in Kiev wants to align with the European Union, while the separatists to the east want to align with Russia and its Eurasian Union.

A split in Ukraine not only remains possible, it does exist. Without both sides wanting real reconciliation the split will widen.

As I wrote last week, irrespective of what the ceasefire will do this year, the biblical reality is that a time of temporal peace will exist between the Eurasians and Europeans. However, the Eurasians will decide that they need to rise up (Daniel 11:44; Jeremiah 50:40-43).

The Bible tells of a time when the “kings of the Medes” will get together against Europe (called Babylon below):

11 Make the arrows bright!
Gather the shields!
The Lord has raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes.
For His plan is against Babylon to destroy it,
Because it is the vengeance of the Lord,
The vengeance for His temple. (Jeremiah 51:11)

50:41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:41-43).

27 Set up a banner in the land, Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her, Call the kingdoms together against her: Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a general against her; Cause the horses to come up like the bristling locusts. 28 Prepare against her the nations, With the kings of the Medes, Its governors and all its rulers, All the land of his dominion. 29 And the land will tremble and sorrow; For every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon, To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant. (Jeremiah 51:27-29)

While this is not yet that time, when it comes it will concern the Europeans (Daniel 11:44; Jeremiah 50:43), but result in the Eurasians overrunning Europe (see Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future), and other regions (like Jordan, see Jordan in Bible Prophecy).

Russia will lead ‘many kings’ against Europe. But for now, it is hoping to end up with as much of Ukraine as it can, while Kiev continues to resist.

Some items of related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? You can also watch the short video Ukraine in Prophecy?
Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy Is Russia mentioned in the Bible? It it is where is it? Is there any evidence of a people moving to the land that the Russians now occupy? What do Catholic and other prophecies say about Russia? What does the Bible teach? How are Protestants often in error on this? Is there more in biblical prophecy for Russia than war? Does God have a plan to save Russia and her allies? Does Russia have a history involving Sabbath keepers? Does scripture tie Russia in with Armageddon? Will Russia help defeat the end time Babylonian power? What did the Apostle John, and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, write about Russia? This is a sermon-length video.
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fulfilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? What steps has the Obama Administration taken with Germany to assist thie? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
Jordan in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible show will happen to the inhabitants of Jordan? Will they escape and then be punished? A related video is titled Jordan, Petra, and Armaggedon.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
European Technology and the Beast of Revelation Will the coming European Beast power would use and develop technology that will result in the taking over of the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies? Is this possible? What does the Bible teach? Here is a related YouTube video: Military Technology and the Beast of Revelation.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.