Ukranian Crisis

[Musashi_kenshin]

Yeah, but they'd cost a lot to maintain, & the days of 'throw money at the problem' are coming to an end in Russia. The economy is in trouble, & the worst-hit sector is the one that pays most taxes.

My point was more than he might annex the territories and not bother to try to fund them properly because he doesn't care if people there suffer.

 

[Feanor]

Wasn't sure where to post this.

Supposedly, some EW gear known as the Murmansk-BN has been deployed in Crimea.

bmpd -

Does anyone have any details as to what the heck this thing is?

A brief and unhelpful descriptions says it's meant for disrupting shortwave radio transmissions. It looks like an awfully large and complicated system for something so mundane. Or am I missing something?

My point was more than he might annex the territories and not bother to try to fund them properly because he doesn't care if people there suffer.

That would be idiotic. It's far more likely that, if they do annex them, they will fund them properly, but will take the money from projects intended for other regions of the country. Everybody will be watching what goes in in the annexed region. Nobody cares what goes on in Udmurtiya, or Mordoviya. So the people there will suffer, but out of the media's eye. This has already happened to an extent with Crimea, and certain infrastructural problems in other places in Russia being cancelled to fund the new province.

 

[Ananda]

Not an expert on Rusia-Ukraine fiasco..however I don't see Putin will annexed those Ukraine eastern provinces. The way I see it, Putin is predictable in his own logic. He (or his regime says) they want to return Crimea to mother Rusia, then they annexed Crimea. They say they want referendum in East Ukraine, then they will support and financed Novorusia..make eastern Ukriane provinces as satelite state has differences in International arena then annexed it.

 

[John Fedup]

Not sure if this comment belongs here but does anyone have any thoughts on the effects of the rubble's decline as it relates to the Ukraine situation or East-West tensions in general?

 

[Feanor]

Ukrainian S-300PS systems have been deployed near Mariupol'.

УкраинÑкие военные в ÑоцÑетÑÑ… выдали позиции ПВО под Мариуполем

Russian military personnel have landed in Ukraine to participate in the OSCE monitoring mission.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ïîëåòû íàä òðåìÿ îáëàñòíûìè öåíòðàìè Óêðàèíû çàïðåùåíû ïî íåèçâåñòíîé ïðè÷èíå

Ukrainian bus manufacturer Bogdan, presents it's own armored car.

bmpd -

Antonov too presents it's own armored car.

bmpd -

Ukrainian Marines rotating, some coming back from the front some leaving.

Вахтенный журнал Ñтареющего пирата - УкраинÑÐºÐ°Ñ 1-Ñ Ð±Ñ€Ð¸Ð³Ð°Ð´Ð° морпехов им. К. ОльшанÑкого. Ð Ð¾Ñ‚Ð°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ Ð² зоне ÐТО...

The US State Department has threatened Ukraine with international isolation if it resumes its nuclear program.

ГоÑдеп СШРобещает Ñделать Украину Ñтраной изгоем в Ñлучае Ð²Ð¾Ð·Ð¾Ð±Ð½Ð¾Ð²Ð»ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ñдерной программы

Ukrainian aircraft getting repainted into new paint scheme.

bmpd -

The Streit Group Cougar survived intense small arms fire.

Ðовый украинÑкий бронеавтомобиль КрÐЗ Кугуар выдержал очередной обÑтрел

Another Cougar was not so lucky, and was destroyed, but it appears the passengers survived.

Вахтенный журнал Ñтареющего пирата - Юго-ВоÑток Украины: перемирие без начала...
bmpd -

Ukrainian MoD has bought 75 old AT-105 Saxon APCs from Britain.

bmpd -

A massive handover of new vehicles to the Ukrainian military. They're getting repaired T-64BM Bulat, T-64BV, T-72AV and T-72UA, BTR-3, BTR-4, KrAZ trucks, and overhauled Mi-8 and Mi-2 helos.

bmpd -

Meanwhile the OSCE has not received the armored cars Ukraine promised for their mission.

МиÑÑÐ¸Ñ ÐžÐ‘Ð¡Ð• так и не получила обещанные украинÑкие бронеавтомоÐurl]

An An-26 transport plane for Ukrainian Naval Aviation has been restored to service.

[url=http://eagle-rost.livejournal.com/288112.html]Добро пожаловать в журнал РоÑтовÑкого Орла - Отремонтированный Ðн-26 Ðвиации ВМС Украины борт 09 желтый в пикÑельной окраÑке

Coastal artillery in Ukraine, Giatsint-B.

Добро пожаловать в журнал РоÑтовÑкого Орла - Пушки 2Ð36 "Гиацинт-Б" Береговой Обороны

Donetsk Airport workers are asking Russia to provide them jobs.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ñîòðóäíèêè àýðîïîðòà Äîíåöêà ïðîñÿò óñòðîèòü èõ íà ðàáîòó â Ðîññèè

 

[overlander]

Modern Ukraine sponsored by western countries and NATO

Armed men enter college hunting for ethnic Russians and force the students to sing the Ukrainian national anthem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb2WYk7nKwY

 

[Volkodav]

Modern Ukraine sponsored by western countries and NATO

Armed men enter college hunting for ethnic Russians and force the students to sing the Ukrainian national anthem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb2WYk7nKwY

"sponsored by western countries and NATO"! Get real, I imagine you think every criminal action by individuals and random groups are personally authorized by Obama? They are somehow government initiated when, truth be known, the Ukrainian government could do without the bad publicity and the average westerner is disgusted by it.

I am sick to death of people carrying on as if what is happening in the Ukraine is somehow the Wests fault and the result of some grand conspiracy. Western democracies are independent nations whose governments often do not agree amongst themselves, parliamentarians and members of the public can actually publicly, even vocally disagree with the political leadership without fear of going to gaol or being killed. Compare that the Russia, I am glad I was born where I was, I am glad I get to vote in real elections, I am glad I don't need to worry about my children being threatened or killed at school. Give me western democracy over eastern corruption and despotism any day.

 

[overlander]

"sponsored by western countries and NATO"! Get real, I imagine you think every criminal action by individuals and random groups are personally authorized by Obama? They are somehow government initiated when, truth be known, the Ukrainian government could do without the bad publicity and the average westerner is disgusted by it.

I am sick to death of people carrying on as if what is happening in the Ukraine is somehow the Wests fault and the result of some grand conspiracy. Western democracies are independent nations whose governments often do not agree amongst themselves, parliamentarians and members of the public can actually publicly, even vocally disagree with the political leadership without fear of going to gaol or being killed. Compare that the Russia, I am glad I was born where I was, I am glad I get to vote in real elections, I am glad I don't need to worry about my children being threatened or killed at school. Give me western democracy over eastern corruption and despotism any day.

Western nations are independent ? JE JE , of course, of course, the best example are France crashing a multi million contract for the Mistral Ships or central european nations cancelling the south stream gas pipe all of this to obbey the american pressure, yes, very independent.

Other question, at the moment only Russia has helped to Donbass people sending 10 convoys with 12000 tons of humanitarian aid, how Ukraine and its sponsors USA and NATO help to the 6 million people of Donbass ? killing 5000 civilians and destroying the region.

 

[Waylander]

If you really think that the european countries don't care about Russia's actions in Ukraine and just put the sanctions into effect because their "american masters" told them so you are beyond help...

 

[Volkodav]

There is a reason the word "nut" is used in the term "conspiracy nut". At the end of the day when you have a choice between a perfectly plausible, blatantly obvious course of events and a totally convoluted, improbable, constantly changing and evolving conspiracy, only a nut would choose to believe the conspiracy.

The shoot down of the Malaysia Airlines fight is the perfect example of this, before anyone in the west knew the aircraft had been lost rebels were bragging online about shooting down a Ukrainian air force transport with a Buk missile, an extremely tragic and unfortunate accident, manslaughter not murder. Since then there have been poorly photoshoped satellite photos, anonymous eye witnesses who can categorically prove it was a deliberate Ukrainian / US / Martian act to discredit Russia, it was a failed attempt to assassinate Putin, it was a Ukrainian fighter, etc. etc. Everything but the most obvious and likely cause.

The West is not perfect but nor is it an unthinking homogenous whole, if anything it is more a lumpy stew. The only thing that unites the independent nations of the west is real threats and tragedies. Those screaming the loudest are those closest to Russia, i.e. Eastern countries that have only recently thrown off the communist, colonial yoke, those who genuinely fear Russia intends to annex them again or at least destroy their independence. I say colonial because that's what it was, the reason there are large ethnic Russian communities in these countries is because over the years Russia / USSR, Stalin was probably the worst, sent them there specifically to strengthen his hold in previously sovereign nations. Seeing what happened to Georgia and what is now happening in the Ukraine I really can't blame them for being afraid.

Here's the thing, Russia is a powerful and important nation, the world needs a strong and stable Russia but what we are seeing instead is an insecure bully, harassing its neighbours and apparently caring only about internal popularity not global opinion. But for the troubles in Ukraine, Russia would still be well regarded and valued as a strategic partner, a friend, a country you would be a fool not to do business with. Now Russia is not trusted, it is costing its partners money, it is making it's neighbours nervous. This is not the doing of the west, Russia, or more to the point Putin, has scored an own goal through blatantly interfering with the affairs of their neighbours, the exact same sort of unacceptable behaviour that has left the US so distrusted.

 

[KiwiRob]

If you really think that the european countries don't care about Russia's actions in Ukraine and just put the sanctions into effect because their "american masters" told them so you are beyond help...

I honestly believe Europe if left to it's own devices would have implemented some sanctions but not to the degree that they have implemented today. The EU bowed to US pressure.

 

[Waylander]

I think that the EU may have been slower to implement the sanctions but they would habe decided on them nevertheless.

The major european actors are more than just irritated with Russia's behaviour. I for one am surprised by how clear our own chancellor has spoken about her thoughts about Russia. It's not like being very clear and open is her normal behaviour...

 

[Feanor]

If you really think that the european countries don't care about Russia's actions in Ukraine and just put the sanctions into effect because their "american masters" told them so you are beyond help...

Actually it's the opposite. Europe has taken center stage on confronting Russia over the Ukraine issue, and it looks like they've succeeded. The US has been far less involved.

I think that the EU may have been slower to implement the sanctions but they would habe decided on them nevertheless.

The major european actors are more than just irritated with Russia's behaviour. I for one am surprised by how clear our own chancellor has spoken about her thoughts about Russia. It's not like being very clear and open is her normal behaviour...

I honestly think she's very angry. She was always on Russia's side in the European conversation, for trade reasons. Germany has always pushed the idea that Russia isn't some strange aggressive eastern power, but just another European country and should be dealt with accordingly. Now they've been proven badly and publicly wrong, and I think she's angry. Hence her comment that it might take decades to lift the sanctions, despite pressure from Italy and France to start backpedaling on them sooner.

 

[Feanor]

The West is not perfect but nor is it an unthinking homogenous whole, if anything it is more a lumpy stew. The only thing that unites the independent nations of the west is real threats and tragedies. Those screaming the loudest are those closest to Russia, i.e. Eastern countries that have only recently thrown off the communist, colonial yoke, those who genuinely fear Russia intends to annex them again or at least destroy their independence. I say colonial because that's what it was, the reason there are large ethnic Russian communities in these countries is because over the years Russia / USSR, Stalin was probably the worst, sent them there specifically to strengthen his hold in previously sovereign nations. Seeing what happened to Georgia and what is now happening in the Ukraine I really can't blame them for being afraid.

Not really the same. The Georgian conflict runs back over two centuries. The Ukrainian one was created today.

Here's the thing, Russia is a powerful and important nation, the world needs a strong and stable Russia but what we are seeing instead is an insecure bully, harassing its neighbours and apparently caring only about internal popularity not global opinion.

They messed up. They do care about global opinion, they just care about domestic opinion more, and unfortunately miscalculated and backed themselves into a corner.

But for the troubles in Ukraine, Russia would still be well regarded and valued as a strategic partner, a friend, a country you would be a fool not to do business with. Now Russia is not trusted, it is costing its partners money, it is making it's neighbours nervous. This is not the doing of the west, Russia, or more to the point Putin, has scored an own goal through blatantly interfering with the affairs of their neighbours, the exact same sort of unacceptable behaviour that has left the US so distrusted.

Yep. And not only did he step into it, he couldn't back out for domestic political reasons.

 

[swerve]

There is a reason the word "nut" is used in the term "conspiracy nut". At the end of the day when you have a choice between a perfectly plausible, blatantly obvious course of events and a totally convoluted, improbable, constantly changing and evolving conspiracy, only a nut would choose to believe the conspiracy.

The shoot down of the Malaysia Airlines fight is the perfect example of this, before anyone in the west knew the aircraft had been lost rebels were bragging online about shooting down a Ukrainian air force transport with a Buk missile, an extremely tragic and unfortunate accident, manslaughter not murder. Since then there have been poorly photoshoped satellite photos, anonymous eye witnesses who can categorically prove it was a deliberate Ukrainian / US / Martian act to discredit Russia, it was a failed attempt to assassinate Putin, it was a Ukrainian fighter, etc. etc. Everything but the most obvious and likely cause. ....

And the various 'proofs' emerging from Russia & pro-Russian sources contradict each other. There are multiple incompatible scenarios, all claimed as the true one, & frequently adopted by the same people, who seem not to care that the latest one contradicts the one they were backing the week before.

Against this, there's a coherent, plausible scenario in which it was shot down by pro-Russians, just as you say. Yet the net is stuffed full of people arguing for the various Russian stories.

 

[gazzzwp]

There is a reason the word "nut" is used in the term "conspiracy nut". At the end of the day when you have a choice between a perfectly plausible, blatantly obvious course of events and a totally convoluted, improbable, constantly changing and evolving conspiracy, only a nut would choose to believe the conspiracy.

The shoot down of the Malaysia Airlines fight is the perfect example of this, before anyone in the west knew the aircraft had been lost rebels were bragging online about shooting down a Ukrainian air force transport with a Buk missile, an extremely tragic and unfortunate accident, manslaughter not murder. Since then there have been poorly photoshoped satellite photos, anonymous eye witnesses who can categorically prove it was a deliberate Ukrainian / US / Martian act to discredit Russia, it was a failed attempt to assassinate Putin, it was a Ukrainian fighter, etc. etc. Everything but the most obvious and likely cause.

The West is not perfect but nor is it an unthinking homogenous whole, if anything it is more a lumpy stew. The only thing that unites the independent nations of the west is real threats and tragedies. Those screaming the loudest are those closest to Russia, i.e. Eastern countries that have only recently thrown off the communist, colonial yoke, those who genuinely fear Russia intends to annex them again or at least destroy their independence. I say colonial because that's what it was, the reason there are large ethnic Russian communities in these countries is because over the years Russia / USSR, Stalin was probably the worst, sent them there specifically to strengthen his hold in previously sovereign nations. Seeing what happened to Georgia and what is now happening in the Ukraine I really can't blame them for being afraid.

Here's the thing, Russia is a powerful and important nation, the world needs a strong and stable Russia but what we are seeing instead is an insecure bully, harassing its neighbours and apparently caring only about internal popularity not global opinion. But for the troubles in Ukraine, Russia would still be well regarded and valued as a strategic partner, a friend, a country you would be a fool not to do business with. Now Russia is not trusted, it is costing its partners money, it is making it's neighbours nervous. This is not the doing of the west, Russia, or more to the point Putin, has scored an own goal through blatantly interfering with the affairs of their neighbours, the exact same sort of unacceptable behaviour that has left the US so distrusted.

Well put. That just about sums it all up for me.

 

[prepping 2015]

There is a reason the word "nut" is used in the term "conspiracy nut". At the end of the day when you have a choice between a perfectly plausible, blatantly obvious course of events and a totally convoluted, improbable, constantly changing and evolving conspiracy, only a nut would choose to believe the conspiracy.

The shoot down of the Malaysia Airlines fight is the perfect example of this, before anyone in the west knew the aircraft had been lost rebels were bragging online about shooting down a Ukrainian air force transport with a Buk missile, an extremely tragic and unfortunate accident, manslaughter not murder. Since then there have been poorly photoshoped satellite photos, anonymous eye witnesses who can categorically prove it was a deliberate Ukrainian / US / Martian act to discredit Russia, it was a failed attempt to assassinate Putin, it was a Ukrainian fighter, etc. etc. Everything but the most obvious and likely cause.

The West is not perfect but nor is it an unthinking homogenous whole, if anything it is more a lumpy stew. The only thing that unites the independent nations of the west is real threats and tragedies. Those screaming the loudest are those closest to Russia, i.e. Eastern countries that have only recently thrown off the communist, colonial yoke, those who genuinely fear Russia intends to annex them again or at least destroy their independence. I say colonial because that's what it was, the reason there are large ethnic Russian communities in these countries is because over the years Russia / USSR, Stalin was probably the worst, sent them there specifically to strengthen his hold in previously sovereign nations. Seeing what happened to Georgia and what is now happening in the Ukraine I really can't blame them for being afraid.

Here's the thing, Russia is a powerful and important nation, the world needs a strong and stable Russia but what we are seeing instead is an insecure bully, harassing its neighbours and apparently caring only about internal popularity not global opinion. But for the troubles in Ukraine, Russia would still be well regarded and valued as a strategic partner, a friend, a country you would be a fool not to do business with. Now Russia is not trusted, it is costing its partners money, it is making it's neighbours nervous. This is not the doing of the west, Russia, or more to the point Putin, has scored an own goal through blatantly interfering with the affairs of their neighbours, the exact same sort of unacceptable behaviour that has left the US so distrusted.

This is a perfectly put explanation of the situation. Putin has even stated in the media that he wishes to reclaim former russian territories and there is no excuse for their mobilisation of the military on the Finnish border. It is time for an end to Cold War attitudes.

 

[Feanor]

Some updates.

Brief fighting near Peski has left 6 Ukrainian soldiers dead. Casualties on the rebel side are unclear.

Стало извеÑтно о гибели шеÑти украинÑких военных

Right Sector reports firing Grad missiles at the rebels on New Years Eve. The rebels confirm the attack and cite 2 dead and 6 wounded. They said they then took measures to neutralize the enemy artillery. This was near Peski, meaning it's likely a reprisal for the earlier rebel attack there.

ОтрÑды партии «Правый Ñектор» наноÑили артиллерийÑкие удары по позициÑм Ð¾Ð¿Ð¾Ð»Ñ‡ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ð² Ðовогоднюю Ðочь

A large car accident caused allegedly by drunk driving has sent a Ukrainian military truck into a bus full of Ukrainian soldiers. 13 dead, 17 wounded.

Personally I think accidents like this are not uncommon, just usually with less fatalities and consequently go unreported.

Причиной аварии на ДонбаÑÑе называют то, что люди были нетрезвыми
ПоÑвилиÑÑŒ первые фото ДТП на ДонбаÑÑе, в котором погибли 13 военных

As per the ceasefire agreement, rebel forces get to examine Ukrainian troops entering the Donetsk airport, and there are limits on weapons and supplies that can be brought in. On the bright side this means that fighting has effectively stopped.

ÐŸÐ¾Ð»Ð¸Ñ†Ð¸Ñ Ð”ÐÐ* проводит оÑмотр украинÑких Ñиловиков на пути в Донецкий аÑропорт

A mass handover of equipment to the Ukrainian military. 30 T-64BV tanks for the new 14th Mech Brigade (but really it's the former 51st Mech, renamed). 5 2S7 Pion heavy arty piece, and a bunch of KrAZ trucks.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1117654.html

A second mass handover of equipment to the Ukrainian military also took place. It's BMP-2s, Cougar MRAPs, 2S7 Pion heavy artillery, and 2S1 Gvozdika light artillery. Notably absent are the 152mm 2S3 and 2S19 that were the mainstay of the Ukrainian artillery park before this. Guesses range from a lack of ammo, to a lack of the guns themselves. Also absent are MLRS, with persistent rumors (backed by events at the end of the war) that Ukraine is out of MLRS rockets.

Also handed over were 5 MiG-29 and Su-27 planes from overhaul, some 2B9 automatic mortars, and some MT-LBs.

bmpd -
Вооруженные Ñилы Украины получили боевые Ñамолеты и бронетехнику

Interestingly enough the deliveries of weapons to Nigeria and the Congo which were previously declared cancelled, proceeded anyways. The weapons are T-72AV and T-62B1M tanks, BTR-4E APCs, and Mi-24 helos, were handed over.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1115505.html
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1117874.html

Russian BPM-97 Vystrel armored cars were sighted near Lugansk.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/1117209.html

Russia is also resuming deliveries of coal and electricity to Ukraine, despite the fact that Ukraine still isn't paying. This is presumably to prevent electricity shut-offs for Crimea, which was turned off several times recently.

http://sokol-ff.livejournal.com/899210.html
http://newsru.com/russia/26dec2014/crimea.html

A Turkish, unofficial, trade delegation will visit Crimea to establish economic relations.

http://sokol-ff.livejournal.com/899547.html

 

[Feanor]

Fighting continues around Peski and the Donetsk airport. The airport tower has finally collapsed. Ukrainian sources indicate that they have lost half of their positions at the airport. Fighting is also going on around Bakhmutka, Schastye, and Dokuchaevsk. There's also fighting near Mariupol'.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - Вышка Донецкого аÑропорта рухнула
УкраинÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð°Ñ€Ð¼Ð¸Ñ Ð¿Ð¾Ñ‚ÐµÑ€Ñла половину территории донецкого аÑропорта
Ð’ Донецком аÑропорту идёт ожеÑточённый бой
ДиÑпетчерÑÐºÐ°Ñ Ð²Ñ‹ÑˆÐºÐ° в Донецком аÑропорту уничтожена
Вблизи ÐœÐ°Ñ€Ð¸ÑƒÐ¿Ð¾Ð»Ñ Ð¸Ð´ÑƒÑ‚ боеÑÑ‚Ð¾Ð»ÐºÐ½Ð¾Ð²ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÑƒÐºÑ€Ð°Ð¸Ð½Ñких Ñиловиков и ополчениÑ

Meanwhile rebel sources indicate that they're preparing for an offensive. Though this maybe a lie.

Вооруженные Ñилы ЛÐР готовÑÑ‚ÑÑ Ðº наÑтуплению

The rebels may have received L-29 jet combat-trainers, and an Su-25 ground-attack jet.

У Ð¾Ð¿Ð¾Ð»Ñ‡ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ Ð½Ð° воÑтоке Украины поÑвилаÑÑŒ Ð²Ð¾ÐµÐ½Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð°Ð²Ð¸Ð°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ

A collection of photos of T-72s in the conflict.

mishaxaxa: Фотографии Ñ Ñ„Ñ€Ð°Ð³Ð¼ÐµÐ½Ñ‚Ð°Ð¼Ð¸ танков Т-72, учавÑтвующих в вооруженном конфликте на ДонбаÑÑе.

Also some evidence has surfaced that suggests that the 136th MRB was in Ukraine, and used T-90A tanks in combat. It's far from conclusive, but it certainly suggests certain things.

https://informnapalm.org/2358-rossy...relkovoj-brygade-v-luganskoj-oblasty-fotofakt
https://twitter.com/askai707/status/544183327180468224

A contractor has been chosen for building the bridge to Crimea. It's a pipelaying company.

Вахтенный журнал Ñтареющего пирата - Тот Самый МоÑÑ‚...

Ukraine says they will accelerate their mobilization, which is intended to bring another 100 000 men into the military.

ÐœÐ¾Ð±Ð¸Ð»Ð¸Ð·Ð°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ Ð² Украине будет уÑкорена в ÑвÑзи Ñ Ð¾Ñложнением Ñитуации в ДонбаÑÑе

There has also been a major cleanup in rebel ranks. Two rebel units that refused to take orders were disarmed, and their leadership killed. There are rumors that Russian military are behind the cleanup, but evidence is lacking.

ÐеизвÐе военное формирование проводит зачиÑтку ополченцев в КраÑнодоне

Russian Vodnik and Vystrel armored cars have showed up among the rebels. Likely they're being withdrawn from Russian military service, and now are available for donation to the rebels.

bmpd - Ð’Ñлед за "Ð’Ñ‹Ñтрелами" в ДонбаÑÑе поÑвилиÑÑŒ и "Водники"

And a retired Russian general is taking command of the Lugansk Republic forces. Kuzovlev, Sergey Viktorovich used be the head of HQ in the 58th Army (Russian North Caucus, fought against the Georgians).

bmpd - Генерал "Тамбов"

Germany is giving Ukraine a 500 mln euro loan which will be used to pay for already incurred debts.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ãåðìàíèÿ ñîãëàñèëàñü âûäåëèòü Óêðàèíå 500 ìèëëèîíîâ åâðî

 

[Nick underscore]

Thank you Feanor for keeping us all updated.

Your updates, along with other reports seem to illustrate this is heating up again sadly. The Donetsk airport situation would seem to be tipping against the Kiev Govt.

Do you think there is a view from the RF, that the cover of 'no direct involvement' is now at an end?

Can I ask a question if you have seen the usage of the word of 'Cyborgs' in reference to some Ukrainian military personnel/ units? This is just a slang reference to look of some troops with proper equipment, yes?

Cheers