Ukranian Crisis

[stojo]

Can someone translate what is this guy saying (Odessa fire): starting at 0:50. He seems to be breafing his commander on the situation:

[ame=http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=59b_1399244269]LiveLeak.com - Nazi radicals drove over 100 people in the building, set on fire, and then blocked the exit One of the gunmen were shot in the windows of people breat[/ame]

 

[Feanor]

He's saying that pro-Russian activists have gathered, they're aggressive, they have molotov cocktails, and "pyrotechnics" (probably means fire crackers). He says his guys came empty handed and 4 of them are wounded. Their office is being blockaded by pro-Russian protesters, lots of cars have been vandalized, and there are explosions. He says they have more people, but they can't "get to work" on them.

The speaker is a Maydan hundred leader, from Kiev.

 

[stojo]

He's saying that pro-Russian activists have gathered, they're aggressive, they have molotov cocktails, and "pyrotechnics" (probably means fire crackers). He says his guys came empty handed and 4 of them are wounded. Their office is being blockaded by pro-Russian protesters, lots of cars have been vandalized, and there are explosions. He says they have more people, but they can't "get to work" on them.

The speaker is a Maydan hundred leader, from Kiev.

Thanx Feanor!

 

[Feanor]

Update.

Fighting has resumed around Slavyansk, despite SBU claims to the contrary. There are reports of Grad MLRS fire, heavy weapons are being used, and helicopters are carrying out air strikes.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - ÐТО в СлавÑнÑке. ОбновлÑÐµÐ¼Ð°Ñ Ð·Ð°Ð¿Ð¸ÑÑŒ

A third Mi-24 was shot down today, this time it's confirmed. There is also an unconfirmed report that another Mi-8 was either damaged or shot down. If this is the case, this brings the total aviation losses to 5 in this conflict. 3 Mi-24s and 2 Mi-8s total.

There is an unsourced statement from Strelkov, the guy in charge of the militia, that they have used the BMDs to provide support and cover to their fighters who were pinned down by government troops and Right Sector gunmen in civilian attire. This would be the first combat to my knowledge, for those vehicles.

There seems to have been a burst of heavy fighting including use of heavy weapons, and reported intentional targeting of civilians (personnel of a local mental institution that's close to the line of fire). A gas station exploded in the fighting.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - Интервью Ñбитого летчика
u_96:
Colonel Cassad -
Colonel Cassad -
Ú-FM - "Ñèëîâèêè â Ñëàâÿíñêå ðàññòðåëÿëè æèëîé äîì"
Бой под СлавÑнÑком: украинÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð°Ñ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ Ð²ÐµÐ´ÐµÑ‚ обÑтрел позиций ополченцев, количеÑтво жертв раÑтет // KP.RU

Fighting is also continuing around Andreevka where there is a TV tower. It's unclear whether it's the right one or wrong one, given their earlier mistake.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Â Ñëàâÿíñêå óêðàèíñêèå ñèëîâèêè çàíÿëè òåëåáàøíþ, â áîÿõ óáèòî íå ìåíåå 10 ñåïàðàòèñòîâ

There was also a messy fire-fight around Semenovka, with reportedly up to 20 militia dead, large numbers of civilian casualties, 4 MVD soldiers dead with 30 wounded.

http://u-96.livejournal.com/3386121.html

Here you can see an Su-24 shooting up a downed Mi-24 to prevent rebels from being able to recover anything from it.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy1RxMQJhcI"]Стрельба Ñамолета вблизи Райгородка 05 05 2014 - YouTube[/nomedia]

Locals in Kramatorsk report that the airfield has been abandoned, the military has left.

ЗапиÑки морализатора пуÑтоты... - С меÑÑ‚ Ñообщают...

Photos from the 12th Company of the Donetsk People's Militia.

tutuskania:

In Odessa local police are reportedly quitting in droves, after special battalion Kiev-1 was moved to Odessa.

And a deputy of the regional administration told RIA Novosti that they have info of 116 dead in the violence around the Trade Union building. He said that they will not be conducting autopsies, because too many of the victims died from gunshot wounds.

It appears that some ordinary people trying to escape the violence ended up trapped in the building.

Colonel Cassad -
nkvdru.livejournal.com/5986.html
marv.livejournal.com/2038672.html

Yesterday in Odessa pro-Russian protesters entered the police station (UVD) together with some Berkut member and freed captured pro-Russian activists there. This is a video of Odessa police throwing down their anti-riot shields immediately prior to this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft2s7iujr9k

Russian industry source say that the Ukrainian Zarya machine building plant is delaying deliveries of defense related goods. It's unclear whether the reason is political or not.

bmpd -

 

[Feanor]

Update.

Rebels have destroyed a radar in Lugansk. It's unclear what type of radar. Ukrainian source state that they have plugged the hole in the radar field using backup systems.

Генеральна прокуратура України. Офіційний веб-портал / Регіональні новини
По факту ÑƒÐ½Ð¸Ñ‡Ñ‚Ð¾Ð¶ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ð Ð›Ð¡ под ЛуганÑком завели уголовное дело

The rebels also now have a window to the Russian border, as a border town of Antratsit has been taken by rebels. The local government cooperated with them.

Colonel Cassad -

Ukraine claims that casualties for May 5th are 4 of their dead, and over 30 rebels.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ãëàâà ÌÂÄ Óêðàèíû ïîäâåë èòîã ñïåöîïåðàöèè â Ñëàâÿíñêå 5 ìàÿ: ñèëîâèêè ïîòåðÿëè 4 áîéöà, îïîë÷åíöû - îêîëî 30

In Lugansk a T-34 tank used as a monument was opened by the rebels, and apparently it still works as they drove it away.

Personal comment: Jesus Christ! That thing runs better then my car...

u_96:

There are reports that Ukraine plans a provocation in Donetsk using Russian uniforms.

 
u_96:

In Slavyansk food is running low, estimates are two weeks worth of.

 

Further mobilization of euro-Maydan self-defense forces into the MVD is planned. This is not a good sign.

ЧаÑтный руÑÑкий журнал - Ð¡Ð¾Ð¼Ð°Ð»Ð¸Ð·Ð°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ Ð£ÐºÑ€Ð°Ð¸Ð½Ñ‹

Ukrainian sources say that 15 pilots, one after another, refused to fly a rescue mission to recover their own downed pilot.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - Про боевой дух

Unofficially it seems that the reason Ukrainian military has left the Kramatorsk airfield is because it's *drumroll* private property. Owned by a Ukrainian oligarch who allegedly demanded payment for its use.

Colonel Cassad -

Grad and Uragan MLRS have been sighted around Slavyansk. If they're used against the city, casualties will be massive. To date no effort has been made to evacuate civilians from the city. Probably because the government knows that they're the problem, not a few militia.

There also were some clashes near Mariupol' between unknown fighters, maybe Right Sector, and the local rebels.

APCs have been sighted near and in the city, and shots have been heard.

Colonel Cassad -

Unknown masked armed men have seized the SBU building in Donetsk.

Ð’ Донецке неизвеÑтные вооруженные люди захватили здание Службы безопати Украины - ВечернÑÑ ÐœÐ¾Ñква

Also desertions/surrenders continue among the Ukrainian military. In Slavyansk over 20 so far.

ЧиÑло пленных украинÑких военных перевалило за 20

And there are reports from the rebels that they're benefiting from Russian volunteers.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS0l6vndl6U"]КраÑный Лиман, Царицыно, 6.05.2014 - YouTube[/nomedia]

 

[Feanor]

Update.

Rebels have destroyed a radar in Lugansk. It's unclear what type of radar. Ukrainian source state that they have plugged the hole in the radar field using backup systems.

Генеральна прокуратура України. Офіційний веб-портал / Регіональні новини
По факту ÑƒÐ½Ð¸Ñ‡Ñ‚Ð¾Ð¶ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ð Ð›Ð¡ под ЛуганÑком завели уголовное дело

The rebels also now have a window to the Russian border, as a border town of Antratsit has been taken by rebels. The local government cooperated with them.

Colonel Cassad -

Ukraine claims that casualties for May 5th are 4 of their dead, and over 30 rebels.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ãëàâà ÌÂÄ Óêðàèíû ïîäâåë èòîã ñïåöîïåðàöèè â Ñëàâÿíñêå 5 ìàÿ: ñèëîâèêè ïîòåðÿëè 4 áîéöà, îïîë÷åíöû - îêîëî 30

In Lugansk a T-34 tank used as a monument was opened by the rebels, and apparently it still works as they drove it away.

Personal comment: Jesus Christ! That thing runs better then my car...

u_96:

There are reports that Ukraine plans a provocation in Donetsk using Russian uniforms.

 
u_96:

In Slavyansk food is running low, estimates are two weeks worth of.

 

Further mobilization of euro-Maydan self-defense forces into the MVD is planned. This is not a good sign.

ЧаÑтный руÑÑкий журнал - Ð¡Ð¾Ð¼Ð°Ð»Ð¸Ð·Ð°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ Ð£ÐºÑ€Ð°Ð¸Ð½Ñ‹

Ukrainian sources say that 15 pilots, one after another, refused to fly a rescue mission to recover their own downed pilot.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - Про боевой дух

Unofficially it seems that the reason Ukrainian military has left the Kramatorsk airfield is because it's *drumroll* private property. Owned by a Ukrainian oligarch who allegedly demanded payment for its use.

Colonel Cassad -

Grad and Uragan MLRS have been sighted around Slavyansk. If they're used against the city, casualties will be massive. To date no effort has been made to evacuate civilians from the city. Probably because the government knows that they're the problem, not a few militia.

There also were some clashes near Mariupol' between unknown fighters, maybe Right Sector, and the local rebels.

APCs have been sighted near and in the city, and shots have been heard.

Colonel Cassad -

Unknown masked armed men have seized the SBU building in Donetsk.

Ð’ Донецке неизвеÑтные вооруженные люди захватили здание Службы безопаÑнРУкраины - ВечернÑÑ ÐœÐ¾Ñква

Also desertions/surrenders continue among the Ukrainian military. In Slavyansk over 20 so far.

ЧиÑло пленных украинÑких военных перевалило за 20

And there are reports from the rebels that they're benefiting from Russian volunteers.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS0l6vndl6U"]КраÑный Лиман, Царицыно, 6.05.2014 - YouTube[/nomedia]

 

[Feanor]

I'm going to write something that's been bugging me for a couple of days now. There's a few facts that are off from the picture of the rebels that I've been able to form over this conflict. The rebels seem to have MANPADS, of unknown origin. The rebels have skill full tactical commanders. Their response time to government pushes is excellent, despite the obvious advantage of the government in vehicles and manpower. One of the Mi-24s was shot down using a heavy machinegun. Not easy to do to a helicopter armored to survive 23mm AAA. Reportedly the helicopter was lured in, and ambushed. This is either desperation+luck or skill+confidence. Finally the rebels have forced back government troops over and over again, despite their clear superiority in firepower and manpower. A 15 000 government troops force can't take a city defended by 800-1200 rebels with minimal training and experience.

It seems to me that there is a small core of trained and experienced military personnel on the side of the rebels. This doesn't necessarily mean GRU agents. There have been desertions from the Ukrainian military, and large numbers of ex-military are there. There has also been an influx of volunteer fighters from Russia, many of whom are ex-military. Local law-enforcement has sided with the rebels, and in Slavyansk there are reports of the local Berkut fighting actively against the Kiev government. But the whole thing looks strange.

 

[Waylander]

I think there are some additional things to this besides to the ones you already mentioned.

Even the training of the more elite formations of the Ukrainian arned forces and other government agencies remains questionable. They have been hit by neglect for decades, too. Not to talk of the newoy formed formations...

It is damn hard to dislodge entrenched enemy fighters over which you may not enjoy a stellar training advantage without usage of lots of heavy weapons (due to civilians) or the will to take numerous casualties.

In the end the rebels could be composed of some professional former officers (maybe even with experience from Afghanistan or Checnya) and lots of former conscripts. Defenitely better than some lunatic rag tag spray and pray middle east militia.

 

[....]

some major stuff going on in Mariupol:
(here are a couple tweets from a guys on the ground as I can't link stuff)


"Women shrieking in fear as Ukrainian gunmen stormed through street. Some pistol-whipped. Chaos. Fear on all sides."

"Approx 60 gunmen/troops. No identifying marks/insignias (normal) but also no identifying call numbers/signs visible (unusual)"

"Black-clad soldier shouting "faces in the dirt!" "You want to go to Russia? Then go!!" Pointing gun muzzle at us. #Mariupol #Ukraine"

also the rebels are said to have Fagot ATGMs along with iglas...

 

[Feanor]

Updates.

As of May 7th the offensive on Slavyansk has begun once more.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Óêðàèíñêèå ñèëîâèêè âîçîáíîâèëè íàñòóïëåíèå â Ñëàâÿíñêå, âçÿëè ïîä êîíòðîëü öåíòð Ìàðèóïîëÿ

Near Slavyansk Russian journalists, Life News, have come under mortar fire. This is the first confirmed use of mortars that I know of. Life News itself was reporting on concealed Grad MLRS positions near Slavyansk.

ЖурналиÑÑ‚Ñ‹ LifeNews попали под минометный обÑтрел под СлавÑнÑком

A prisoner exchange between rebels and the government. They're getting back arrested heads of the rebellion, in exchange for Alfa SBU officers.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwNQclW3Jz4"]Как обменивали пленных офицеров "Ðльфы" на лидеров народного Ð¾Ð¿Ð¾Ð»Ñ‡ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ð”Ð¾Ð½Ð±Ð°ÑÑа - YouTube[/nomedia]

In Mariupol' a children's vacation camp is being used by the MVD and Right Sector as a base of operations. It's currently under attack by pro-Russian forces. Armored vehicles and helicopters have been seen, and fire from under-barrel grenade launchers and automatic weapons has been heard.

Heavy troops and armored vehicles were brought into the city, namely from the 72nd Mech Brigade, and MVD units.

jerry24-it.livejournal.com/63838.html
УкраинÑкие Ñиловики ввели в Мариуполь Ñ‚Ñжелую бронетехнику

In Donetsk a military academy has been captured by the rebels.

Вооруженные люди захватили военное училище Донецка, чтобы помешать проведению ÐТО - ÐОВОСТИ - Gorlovka.ua

Ukrainian leadership has handed out some awards and medals, and has brought the new BTR-4Es to the east.

http://vv.gov.ua/news.php?nid=4727&lang=ua
Премьер миниÑÑ‚Ñ€ Украины привез в СлавÑнÑк новейшие бронетранÑпортеры БТР-4

A Ukrainian troop column was seen in Berdyansk. Speculations are that they're there to prevent the city from erupting the same way other cities have.

Ð’ БердÑнÑк зашла Ð±Ð¾Ð»ÑŒÑˆÐ°Ñ ÐºÐ¾Ð»Ð¾Ð½Ð½Ð° военной техники

A brief analysis of how the fake videos of Chechen fighters in Slavyansk were created. The basics of it is that it's a hoax.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - О вброÑах

The National Guard has intensified security at the Kiev TV tower.

ÐÐ°Ñ†Ð³Ð²Ð°Ñ€Ð´Ð¸Ñ Ð£ÐºÑ€Ð°Ð¸Ð½Ñ‹ уÑилила охрану киевÑкой телевышки

Another mobilization has been declared in Ukraine.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - ÐžÑ‡ÐµÑ€ÐµÐ´Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ð±Ð¸Ð»Ð¸Ð·Ð°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ

Russia issued yet another statement urging the Ukrainian gent to stop the operation in the East.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ïóòèí ïðèçâàë Êèåâ ïðåêðàòèòü "âîåííûå è êàðàòåëüíûå" îïåðàöèè, à Þãî-âîñòîê - ïåðåíåñòè ðåôåðåíäóì

The Russian government has been subsidizing air tickets to Crimea. This means very low prices, and has already resulted in an influx of travelers to Crimea. Also government agencies, and economic assets, are offering subsidized vacation packages to Crimea.

masterok.livejournal.com/1851321.html

Meanwhile the Russian MoD will be used to relieve the water problems in Crimea. They will drill artesian wells to provide Crimea with drinking water. Russian sources claim that Kiev ignores all attempts to negotiate about water supplies to Crimea.

ОбеÑпечить Крым водой помогут Ñпециальные инженерные чаÑти РоÑÑийÑкой армии

 

[Feanor]

Updates.

As of May 7th the offensive on Slavyansk has begun once more.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Óêðàèíñêèå ñèëîâèêè âîçîáíîâèëè íàñòóïëåíèå â Ñëàâÿíñêå, âçÿëè ïîä êîíòðîëü öåíòð Ìàðèóïîëÿ

Near Slavyansk Russian journalists, Life News, have come under mortar fire. This is the first confirmed use of mortars that I know of. Life News itself was reporting on concealed Grad MLRS positions near Slavyansk.

ЖурналиÑÑ‚Ñ‹ LifeNews попали под минометный обÑтрел под СлавÑнÑком

A prisoner exchange between rebels and the government. They're getting back arrested heads of the rebellion, in exchange for Alfa SBU officers.

[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwNQclW3Jz4"]Как обменивали пленных офицеров "Ðльфы" на лидеров народного Ð¾Ð¿Ð¾Ð»Ñ‡ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ð”Ð¾Ð½Ð±Ð°ÑÑа - YouTube[/nomedia]

In Mariupol' a children's vacation camp is being used by the MVD and Right Sector as a base of operations. It's currently under attack by pro-Russian forces. Armored vehicles and helicopters have been seen, and fire from under-barrel grenade launchers and automatic weapons has been heard.

Heavy troops and armored vehicles were brought into the city, namely from the 72nd Mech Brigade, and MVD units.

jerry24-it.livejournal.com/63838.html
УкраинÑкие Ñиловики ввели в Мариуполь Ñ‚Ñжелую бронетехнику

In Donetsk a military academy has been captured by the rebels.

Вооруженные люди захватили военное училище Донецка, чтобы помешать проведению ÐТО - ÐОВОСТИ - Gorlovka.ua

Ukrainian leadership has handed out some awards and medals, and has brought the new BTR-4Es to the east.

http://vv.gov.ua/news.php?nid=4727&lang=ua
Премьер миниÑÑ‚Ñ€ Украины привез в СлавÑнÑк новейшие бронетранÑпортеры БТР-4

A Ukrainian troop column was seen in Berdyansk. Speculations are that they're there to prevent the city from erupting the same way other cities have.

Ð’ БердÑнÑк зашла Ð±Ð¾Ð»ÑŒÑˆÐ°Ñ ÐºÐ¾Ð»Ð¾Ð½Ð½Ð° военной техники

A brief analysis of how the fake videos of Chechen fighters in Slavyansk were created. The basics of it is that it's a hoax.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - О вброÑах

The National Guard has intensified security at the Kiev TV tower.

ÐÐ°Ñ†Ð³Ð²Ð°Ñ€Ð´Ð¸Ñ Ð£ÐºÑ€Ð°Ð¸Ð½Ñ‹ уÑилила охрану киевÑкой телевышки

Another mobilization has been declared in Ukraine.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - ÐžÑ‡ÐµÑ€ÐµÐ´Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð¼Ð¾Ð±Ð¸Ð»Ð¸Ð·Ð°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ

Russia issued yet another statement urging the Ukrainian government p the operation in the East.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ïóòèí ïðèçâàë Êèåâ ïðåêðàòèòü "âîåííûå è êàðàòåëüíûå" îïåðàöèè, à Þãî-âîñòîê - ïåðåíåñòè ðåôåðåíäóì

The Russian government has been subsidizing air tickets to Crimea. This means very low prices, and has already resulted in an influx of travelers to Crimea. Also government agencies, and economic assets, are offering subsidized vacation packages to Crimea.

masterok.livejournal.com/1851321.html

Meanwhile the Russian MoD will be used to relieve the water problems in Crimea. They will drill artesian wells to provide Crimea with drinking water. Russian sources claim that Kiev ignores all attempts to negotiate about water supplies to Crimea.

ОбеÑпечить Крым водой помогут Ñпециальные инженерные чаÑти РоÑÑийÑкой армии

 

[Malek]

There are no Russian military and there are no Russian citizens among the federalization fighters in the eastern Ukraine.
I read very attentively the report of two New-York Times correspondents who had spent several weeks in a squad of federalization fighters in eastern Ukraine. They registered no Russian trace there.
I believe that precious Russian trace is the same thing just like WMD in Iraq. There Americans needed some pretext to start their invasion into Iraq and now in Ukraine they need Russian trace to justify political and economic sanctions against Russia.
I strongly oppose that scheme of Washington. It just feels itself in the position to blame anybody in all thinkable sins without any proofs and when the end is met we are informed there are no proofs at all! International community must trust only facts and it shouldn't allow America fool the world so brazenly!

 

[nkvd]

I normally dont watch things like this but in this case the pictures are right there when you open the page so you have been warned.
Kiev and Right Sector Kristallnacht Odessa | Veterans Today
@Malek-let`s not spoil the thread with this sort of post

 

[swerve]

There are no Russian military and there are no Russian citizens among the federalization fighters in the eastern Ukraine.

No Russian citizens? But but but then why does Putin want to 'protect' them?

Get your story straight. Either they're Russians, who should be enfolded in the welcoming arms of the Motherland, or they're Ukrainians, & Russia should have nothing to do with them. You can't have it both ways.

 

[nkvd]

meanwhile in Crimea:a certain prosecutor who who happens to be famous in Japan and is a wanted criminal in Ukraina warned Crimean Tatars that their main self-government body will be liquidated if it engages in "extremist" activities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQBw6lKgpk8&feature=player_detailpage

 

[Feanor]

No Russian citizens? But but but then why does Putin want to 'protect' them?

Get your story straight. Either they're Russians, who should be enfolded in the welcoming arms of the Motherland, or they're Ukrainians, & Russia should have nothing to do with them. You can't have it both ways.

They're ethnic Russians who don't have Russian citizenship, but none the less ought to be protected. When the USSR collapsed lots of ethnic Russians suddenly became "foreigners" because they lived in other republics of the USSR. They were often discriminated, and the lack of support for them by the Russian government was always regarded as a sign of weakness and lack of morality in the Russian government.

That having been said he's also dead wrong. Some of the fighters are volunteers from Russia, and in a couple of cases their Russian passports have been filmed with their permission. Prime example is the brief Vice News video of the material they obtained, prior to their journalists detention in Slavyansk.

Finally you certainly can have it both ways. Plenty of Ukrainians live in Russia, and that doesn't mean Russia should have nothing to do with them. Russia is a multi-national country and it will remain that way for quite some time, if not indefinitely. And lets not pretend like this is really about protecting Russians or Ukrainians from their own illegitimate government. This is about the arrangement of governance and government in Ukraine. Russia will not allow an unfriendly Ukraine without some huge problems for them. Which puts Ukrainian elites in a position where they either have to recognize geopolitical realities and play ball, or they can watch as their country sinks deeper and deeper into this mess.

meanwhile in Crimea:a certain prosecutor who who happens to be famous in Japan and is a wanted criminal in Ukraina warned Crimean Tatars that their main self-government body will be liquidated if it engages in "extremist" activities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQBw6lKgpk8&feature=player_detailpage

Yes there has been some internal power play between the Tatars and the government of Crimea. I hope the federal government stands up for the Tatars. There's plenty of precedent, and it's not like they would require special privileges or anything. Just a clear message to the Crimean authorities.

There are no Russian military and there are no Russian citizens among the federalization fighters in the eastern Ukraine.
I read very attentively the report of two New-York Times correspondents who had spent several weeks in a squad of federalization fighters in eastern Ukraine. They registered no Russian trace there.

There are members of Russian Cossack groups there, who seem to have arrived in a semi-organized manner. They seem to be the first to start wearing the rebel camouflage uniform that you now see all over the photos. Cossacks have connections to Russian official channels, and Russian force-wielding agencies. That having been said they're not an extension of the state, and they don't always act the way the government wants them too. So while they're organized, pro-Russian, and militarized, they're not really controllable. An unpleasant combo.

The other thing is that things sometimes get complicated. The famous/infamous Babay is a Russian Cossack from Kuban', who's lived in Ukraine for several years prior to this conflict because he's a fugitive from the law, in Russia. He allegedly stabbed a man in Rostov, and then fled to Ukraine. Now he's a famous rebel fighter, who's become an icon of sorts. On the one hand it's pretty clear that he's not some Russian special forces officer sent over there to train rebels, on the other hand I wouldn't be surprised if he maintained contacts with the Cossack groups, and has been given a hint that if he participates in the rebellion his charges in Russia could be dismissed.

 

[Feanor]

Update.

A man supposed to be the "minister of defense" of the Donetsk People's Republic was arrested by the Kiev government.

u_96:

There is unconfirmed info that the rebels may have captured 2 Grad MLRS from the government forces. However I find this unlikely. Let's wait for evidence.

Блог ÐлекÑандра Шакуна - +2 РСЗО 9К51 «Град»

Reports are of artillery fire towards Slavyansk.

УкраинÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð°Ñ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ Ð½Ð¾Ñ‡ÑŒÑŽ проводила приÑтрелку орудий по СлавÑнÑку

Losses of 2 government armored vehicles over the past 4 days are claimed.

Colonel Cassad -

Fighting in Mariupol'. There's shots fired in the center of the city. Military checkpoints surround the city.

In one incident Right Sector fired on civilians.

Блог ÐлекÑандра Шакуна - Жители ÐœÐ°Ñ€Ð¸ÑƒÐ¿Ð¾Ð»Ñ Ð¿Ñ€Ð¸Ð²ÐµÑ‚Ñтвуют ÑлаваукраинÑких карателей
Блог ÐлекÑандра Шакуна - 8.05.14 Мариуполь
УкраинÑкие Ñиловики взÑли в кольцо Мариуполь
Ополченцы: "Правый Ñектор" раÑÑтрелÑл Ñамооборонцев в Мариуполе - Первый по Ñрочным новоÑÑ‚Ñм — LIFE | NEWS

It looks like in Mariupol' pro-government forces briefly took the city center, the lost it again. Donetsk Republic flags are waving, and the barricades that were partially destroyed are being rebuilt.

jerry24_it:
jerry24_it: 07.05.2014
http://i.piccy.info/i9/9adf92cfeaad62f40ae330f2e32fb257/1399546505/232061/736062/BnG6suIIYAAx58M.jpg
http://i.piccy.info/i9/9bdf2ab598f8ab2e51e7c9721099ccc6/1399551019/407928/736062/BnHGLMlCEAEfExq.jpg
http://i.piccy.info/i9/bce3d6010a6f8556a1e62d7adaaa6ab5/1399551182/409869/736062/BnHLAv0CIAAKvic.jpg

The top photos are Mariupol', the bottom 3 are from Slavyansk.

jerry24_it: 07.05.2014

A privately owned BTR has been noted on the rebels side, in reportedly Slavyansk. The vehicle looks like a heavily modded BTR-60. In the video the BTR came from Slavyansk to Krasniy Liman to buy food.

u_96:

In Nikolaev there are reports of Right Sector activists from out of town, arriving in groups. Shilka AAA have been seen getting trucked into the city.

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[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcRHSqQZm54"]Украина 07.05.2014 Шилки в Ðиколаеве - YouTube[/nomedia]

Photos from Slavyansk and Kramatorsk.

tutuskania:
jerry24_it:

A second radar has been destroyed in Lugansk by the rebels.

http://mvs.gov.ua/mvs/control/luhansk/ru/publish/article/153262

Right Sector activity in Odessa has been noted. It looks like violence there could continue.

Also there are continued reports of additional dead bodies being hidden, or transported out of the Trade Union building at night. Rumors are circulating of additional dead in the cellars where they were beaten to death or shot by Right Sector activists inside the building. I have no actual info, and an attempt by me to find anything beyond claims has turned up nothing. Warning in the second links are links to extremely graphic photos from inside the Trade Union building.

stbcaptain.livejournal.com/105572.html
Ð¡Ð²Ð¾Ð±Ð¾Ð´Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð¸Ð³Ñ€Ð° Ñвободного ума в уÑловиÑÑ… кровавого режима - Ðочные кошмары

Putin has made a statement that the breakaway regions should post-pone the referendum they had planned. After of course blaming the Kiev government for everything.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ïóòèí ïðèçâàë Êèåâ ïðåêðàòèòü "âîåííûå è êàðàòåëüíûå" îïåðàöèè, à Þãî-âîñòîê - ïåðåíåñòè ðåôåðåíäóì

The Kiev government has stated that they are willing to talk to the protesters, but not to the armed rebels in the east. What this means in practice remains to be seen.

[ttp://newsru.com/world/08may2014/dialog.html]Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Óêðàèíñêèå âëàñòè çàÿâèëè, ÷òî ãîòîâû ê äèàëîãó ñ ïðîòåñòóþùèìè íà þãî-âîñòîêå, íî íå áóäóò ãîâîðèòü ñ áîåâèêàìè[/url]

Meanwhile Zhirinovsky, leader of the LDPR, handed over a Tigr car to the rebels in Lugansk. The vehicle was his personal one.

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The military of Moldavia has been put on high alert due to the events in Ukraine.

МолдавÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð°Ñ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ Ð¿Ñ€Ð¸Ð²ÐµÐ´ÐµÐ½Ð° в боевую готовноÑÑ‚ÑŒ

 

[nkvd]

Cossacks said to be arriving from Russia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi20JwfkB1c

 

[nkvd]

I am not sure about the validity of the video of Cossacks said to be arriving from Russia perhaps Feanor can verify this

 

[Feanor]

I am not sure about the validity of the video of Cossacks said to be arriving from Russia perhaps Feanor can verify this

As far as I know it's authentic. I posted the video earlier myself. The Ukrainian authorities have lost control of sections of the border, and the process of Russian aid for the rebels pouring into Ukraine has begun to snowball in a grass-roots manner. Cossacks are the more organized component of it.