Ukraine War News Updates -- February 2, 2015

Daily Mail: Ukraine ablaze again as Pro-Russian rebels announce plans to boost armed forces to 100,000

* Pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko announces drive to swell rebels' ranks to 100,000 men
* Not known how large rebel army currently is, but boost is likely to lead to recruitment of thousands of soldiers
* News comes as protests broke out in Ukrainian capital Kiev over possible disbandment of volunteer battalion
* Servicemen furious at possible scaling back of already outgunned defence forces in the east of the country
* This morning Ukrainian troops battled to repel waves of separatists trying to surround a strategic railway hub
( Rebel stronghold Donetsk also came under heavy, sustained shelling over the weekend, leaving 15 civillians dead

Ukraine War News Updates -- February 2, 2015

On Front Lines in Ukraine, Rebels Are Upbeat and Eager to Advance -- NYT
No Compromise On Ukraine's Rebel Frontline -- SKY News
DPR, LPR plan no offensive and are ready to stop at existing disengagement line -- ITAR-TASS
Ukraine troops fight to avoid being surrounded by rebels -- AP
Rebels pound Ukrainian troops after peace talks fail -- Reuters
Rebels Set Sights on Small Eastern Ukraine Town -- NYT
Ukraine War Kills 13-15 Soldiers Daily -- China Topix
Shelling continues in Donetsk, Ukraine -- Euronews
Ukraine rebels vow to reinforce troops as US reportedly mulls rearming Kiev -- CSM
Ukraine rebel leader Zakharchenko 'wants 100,000 men' -- BBC
Rebels Say They Will Raise Up to 100,000 Troops for Ukraine Fight -- WSJ
Ukraine rebels vow to mobilise 100,000-strong force -- Al Jazeera
E. Ukrainian rebels announce recruiting drive, plan 5 new brigades -- RT
Separatist Leader Proclaims Mobilization of 100,000 Fighters as Another Ukraine Peace Process Fails -- Vice news
Ukraine’s parliament argues about ceasefires as more refugees arrive from the east -- Euronews
Civilians suffer as Ukraine rebels step up battle for Debaltseve -- Euronews
Grim scenes as civilians flee eastern Ukraine -- Mashable
Ukraine run by ‘miserable’ Jews: rebel chief -- Japan Times/AFP
NATO: West Must be Ready for Long Russia Standoff -- VOA/Reuters
Amnesty Criticizes Ukraine, Pro-Russian Separatists For Civilian Deaths -- Radio Free Europe
US increasingly concerned that Russia is intent on partitioning Ukraine -- The Guardian
Ukraine conflict: Why is violence surging? -- Paul Kirby, BBC News