My view of the war

[JayH]

What is written here pretty much is in line with what Mrs B has written in the past here( correct MrsB?) --I believe Russian regulars( as in special forces-maybe very specialised forces) were in eastern Ukraine very early to assist the locals--but it was not very long before it was Russians directing activities-- and trying to direct all activities.

Security released new evidence of the presence of Russian special forces in the Donetsk region
Security released another interception negotiations, confirming that the Interior Ministry in Donetsk region is Russian commandos seized

[Boethius]

A very good article on Yanukovych's fall in the NYT -

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/world/europe/ukraine-leader-was-defeated-even-before-he-was-ousted.html

[Doll]

Security released new evidence of the presence of Russian special forces in the Donetsk region
Security released another interception negotiations, confirming that the Interior Ministry in Donetsk region is Russian commandos seized

youtube is the evidence? Again? 

[lordtiberius]

Feel free to submit your evidence Honest Russian.  I could use a laugh.

[calmissile]

A very good article on Yanukovych's fall in the NYT -

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/04/world/europe/ukraine-leader-was-defeated-even-before-he-was-ousted.html

Good article Boe, thanks for posting.

[lordtiberius]

Good article Boe, thanks for posting.

Are Doll and Belvis Honest Russians, Doug?

[JayH]

A view shared by a growing number of people

Save Ukraine to counter Russia, says Soros

 http://on.ft.com/1BAIaGW


A New Policy to Rescue Ukraine

The sanctions imposed on Russia by the US and Europe for its interventions in Ukraine have worked much faster and inflicted much more damage on the Russian economy than anybody could have expected.

Europe needs to wake up and recognize that it is under attack from Russia. Assisting Ukraine should also be considered as a defense expenditure by the EU countries. Framed this way, the amounts currently contemplated shrink into insignificance.

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2015/feb/05/new-policy-rescue-ukraine/

[lordtiberius]

From a friend from Lugansk (now living in Kiev)

'm fine, i think)) I even do not know how to describe my new life in kiev) frankly speaking, I guess I even do not have it) my daily route is the same from day to day: home- work-military hospital-home.

I did not tell you that from August till now I'm a volunteer in military hospital. I held our wounded soldiers. It's rather hard not to cry when you want to do it. In the same time it's so great to see how soldier starts to walk again. Hard to smile and be happy but for them I'll do it.

I could not build a high wall around me and abandon thoughts about war in my country, in my city. Many people in Ukraine do not think about war cause it is some where, not in their city. They prefer not to think about awful situations. Everything is great for them.

I can not accept this philosophy

... I've gone through lot of things ... I've lost my life in Luhansk but in the same time I obtain new one. I know how to start everything from the scratch and how to find power ... my relatives are still there and my father too ... It's awfully hard, when you read that ur street was bombed and u called to father and he didn ' T answer ... 10min with the horrible minds ... and finally he answered ... I guess I've Seen Almost everything: Bodies and Souls wounded, Dazed sight etc ... So, this is my new Life in Kiev) ) sorry for long story))

[Muzh]

Same as my SIL, except she is staying put in Kharkiv.

[lordtiberius]

I heard that in the west and central, people are more indifferent.

[fathertime]

I just happened to be browsing about the internet and found this little article.  They speculate on the gamesmanship behind the scenes and refer to Ukraine as "Inert" and a "Pawn" for the larger issue/conflict.   Some of the conclusions are that this will likely remain a frozen like conflict, and the US will go no further than sanctions. 


http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-05-12/gaming-the-ukraine-crisis?cmpid=yhoo



 
Gaming the Ukraine Crisis
40 MAY 12, 2015 1:27 PM EDT
By Leonid Bershidsky
If Russia is intractable on Ukraine and considers the West an adversary in most other areas of global policy, why has U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry come to Sochi to meet with President Vladimir Putin for the first time since Russia invaded Crimea? Most likely, this isn't even a baby step toward a normalization of the Russia-U.S. relationship, but just a sign that the two countries' strategic interaction is close to what game theory calls the ultimate outcome.

Standoff in Ukraine

The game unfolding between Russia and the West is described in a paper published in the April issue of the journal Peace Economics, Peace Science and Public Policy......






Fathertime! 

[BillyB]

   Some of the conclusions are that this will likely remain a frozen like conflict, and the US will go no further than sanctions. 

Putin is patient. He will keep Ukraine destabilized long enough till the people get tired of a pro Western president who can't turn things around and elect a pro Russian president. Ukrainians will lose faith in Western nations who claim to support democracy. Putin will get Ukraine back and Crimea will be the reminder of what can happen if they try to get out of the bad marriage again.

[lordtiberius]

I don't think you know every much about this man.  The books I am reading tell us that he is a man who in his youth bragged about his being a thug, a man who has surrounded himself with the thieves and scoundrels (just read the bios of those on the sanctions list) a man who is showing a decreasing impulse control, a tyrant of declining prestige and a man who man not be in control of the space he occupies.

Thus I think your prophesy fails

[Stirlitz]

In 2014 I was banned for using the real name of the Russian führer. Later some members asked me to come back. But I did not have time and desire. I joined the Ukrainian army because I would rather fight offline. For more than a year I have been serving at Odessa airport as a border guard. I have not taken part in fighting but now I know how to shoot (and am quite good at it) and how to fight. Now though I am about to be discharged and return to normal life as an interpreter and tour guide. But I have my uniform and friends and can get my AK-74 quickly if needed. Odessa is safe so long as I am alive and here.

But I did not come back here for business or discussions (especially with the wata). All I want to say is to repeat what I said before:

POO TEEN IS HUYL0!!!

ПУТИН - ХУЙЛО!!!

Now you can ban me once again. Good luck.

[JayH]

In 2014 I was banned for using the real name of the Russian führer. Later some members asked me to come back. But I did not have time and desire. I joined the Ukrainian army because I would rather fight offline. For more than a year I have been serving at Odessa airport as a border guard. I have not taken part in fighting but now I know how to shoot (and am quite good at it) and how to fight. Now though I am about to be discharged and return to normal life as an interpreter and tour guide. But I have my uniform and friends and can get my AK-74 quickly if needed. Odessa is safe so long as I am alive and here.

But I did not come back here for business or discussions (especially with the wata). All I want to say is to repeat what I said before:

POO TEEN IS HUYL0!!!

ПУТИН - ХУЙЛО!!!

Now you can ban me once again. Good luck.

Welcome back.
Thankyou for your service-- and passion!You may have been missing from here-- but not forgotten.
No way you should be banned here-- despite serving numerous times in the sin bin and being restricted myself here -- and now suffering from strangling moderation and restrictions-- I am still here-- as are many other of your friends.

Ironically I had posted this earlier  -

http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?topic=17720.4250

[BillyB]

I joined the Ukrainian army because I would rather fight offline. For more than a year I have been serving at Odessa airport as a border guard. I have not taken part in fighting but now I know how to shoot (and am quite good at it) and how to fight. Now though I am about to be discharged and return to normal life as an interpreter and tour guide. But I have my uniform and friends and can get my AK-74 quickly if needed. Odessa is safe so long as I am alive and here.

Respect to you for serving your country in it's time of need. Why do you think Ukraine discharged you and probably others so quickly after you signed up? Are they trying to save money and use it to build up the economy? I was in Kiev a month ago and there are still billboards up advertising the need for people to join the military. Russia still hasn't stopped interfering in Ukraine's affairs but I assume Ukraine needs to get more people trained but not have them stay in the military long term.

[Stirlitz]

Why do you think Ukraine discharged you and probably others so quickly after you signed up?

Because President Poroshenko signed the respective decree on Friday about demobilization of the servicemen enlisted during the 4th wave of mobilization.

It was not quickly, it is more than 13 months. In fact, we were told this would be less than 12 month. I joined the army on February 24, 2015 and I am still there. It has not seemed quick to me whatsoever! In fact, it was the longest year in my life.

Mobilzation is different from signing a contract with the army for 3 or 5 years. The purpose of the mobilization waves was to get as many people as possible through the military service so that they are know how to fight and ready to do it if needed. This purpose has been largely achieved and now Ukraine needs a professional army because it is also expensive to have so many people in the army who are not going to stay there, so the moblized are gradually discharged and replaced with those who want to be professional military men. Also, they do it on their own accord while mobilzation is compulsory. I volunteered for it but many others just had to do it. I never wanted to be a professional soldier even though my grandfather and father were officers. So I was not going to sign a contract for many years but was willing to serve a year to learn to shoot, etc.

[2tallbill]

I volunteered for it but many others just had to do it. I never wanted to be a professional soldier even though my grandfather and father were officers. So I was not going to sign a contract for many years but was willing to serve a year to learn to shoot, etc.

Hey Igor, I hope all goes well with you.

Udachi!

Bill

[GuppyCaptain]

Igor, I wish you luck and safety. You can take pride in the nobility of your service. 

[alex330]

But I have my uniform and friends and can get my AK-74 quickly if needed. Odessa is safe so long as I am alive and here.

#respect  #winning #howwarsarewon

[mendeleyev]

Welcome back!

[Gator]

Igor, I also welcome you back to civilian life.  What particular training did you receive?

[Muzh]

Just saw this.


Igor, welcome back. We missed you.


Now, use that AK-47 on all the thieves in the Rada.

[AkMike]

If you wander thru Cherkasy sometime next winter stop by for a piva or 3!

[jone]

Now that winter is winding down in Ukraine, it would seem that the Seperatists are become more active.  I have attached a website that monitors the Social Media reports of incidents in Eastern Ukraine. 

www.liveuamap.com

It bears noting that two months ago the map was basically empty.  Now it reports heavy engagement.  Looks like Putin's proxy war is heating up again.