Russia In Ukraine Conflict

"Kyiv said that on the 24th, on the Independence Day of Ukraine, they would have a parade. Indeed they did march in Donetsk, although it wasn't a parade."
"Soldiers of the armed forces of Kyiv walked along the main streets of Donetsk. What Poroshenko planned has taken place."
Alexander Zakhachenko, rebel commander, Donetsk, Ukraine

Maxim Shemetov / Reuters  Armed pro-Russian separatists escort a column of Ukrainian prisoners of war (L) as they walk across central Donetsk August 24.

 

"We cannot discuss any conditions for a ceasefire or possible agreements between Kyiv, Donetsk and Luhansk. This is not our business; it is a domestic matter of Ukraine itself."

"We can only support the creation of an environment of trust during this possible and, in my view, highly necessary negotiation process."

Russian President Vladimir Putin

 

"Russia is clearly trying to put its finger on the scale to tip things back in favour of its proxies."

"Artillery barrages and other Russian military actions have taken their toll on the Ukrainian military."

Senior U.S. official

Captured Ukrainian soldiers were marched through the streets of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk while bystanders shouted abuse at them and threw eggs, bottles and tomatoes. President Petro Poroshenko had vowed he would raise his country's spending on defence for the specific purpose of defeating the rebels. This he pledged during a procession of tanks and weaponry through downtown Kyiv, to mark Ukraine's 23rd anniversary of independence from the Soviet Union.

The country is anticipating many months of conflict in the future. In most of the country, support has grown for Kyiv's campaign against the ethnic Russian separatists, while in the east civilian casualties and shelling have made for growing resentment. In the main square of Donetsk, held by the rebels, thousands had gathered to scream obscenities at the dozens of captives, some wearing Ukrainian military uniforms, others in tattered civilian clothing, forced to march past the onlookers.

Flanked by armed rebels, a woman shouted: "Hang the fascists from a tree!", while other women ran at the prisoners attempting to kick and slap them; but were restrained by rebel fighters. That is reminiscent of nothing so much as the description of crowds of French peasants during the French Revolution, watching as tumbrels carried French aristocrats to the guillotine, shouting invective at those soon to be executed.

The rebels had placed fire-sooted, shrapnel-shattered Ukrainian military vehicles on the main square of Donetsk. Russian nationalist songs blared from loudspeakers, and supporters of the rebels posed for photographs staging themselves before destroyed tanks with Ukrainian army insignia identifying the historical moment for them. This, startlingly emblematic of despicable nationalism.

What is Ukraine's should remain Ukraine's, sacrosanct to the nation. Those living in Ukraine who prefer to live under Russian rule, should remove themselves to Russian territory.

But, sighed the Russian president sanctimoniously, it is out of his hands, the issue has nothing to do with him, with the Kremlin, with Moscow, with Russia. This is a matter for Ukraine to settle with Ukrainians who happen to harbour Russian sentiments; deal with it,neighbours. While fighting has erupted 10-km west of the Russian border, identified by Kyiv as a "second front" where no conflict had previously been.

"Terrorists and Russians" (one and the same, lately) have succeeded in capturing towns north of Novoazovsk. Reporters there have seen no Ukrainian forces and tanks flying the flags of the Donetsk People's Republic were spotted at the town's western edge, but no Ukrainian troops, Armoured personnel carriers with rebel flags and men wearing uniforms just like those worn by Russian soldiers who overran Crimea in March were present.

Claiming to represent cannon fodder for the forces coming out of Russia, exhausted Ukrainian soldiers were making their way out of Novoazovsk, corroborating assertions by Western and Ukrainian officials that Russia is orchestrating a new counteroffensive in the aid of besieged Donetsk separatists. They are now just 48 kilometres from Mariupol, which if taken by the separatists would give Russia direct overland access to Crimea.

Mounting evidence is now accumulating that regular Russian forces are now fighting alongside the rebels against Ukrainian government forces. Previously, Russia asserted it was the presence of "volunteers" from Russia aiding the rebels, while denying regular troops are present. Reports of military funerals prompted the Russian newspaper Vedomost to demand, "Are we fighting or not?"

Evidently, no explanation, reasonable or otherwise, has been given to the Russian public relating to the mysterious presence of many wounded Russian soldiers. A symptom of sympathetic attitudes on the part of the Russians for the plight of their brethren in Ukraine, quite obviously; mysterious but anything seems possible; matter over mind.

As for the capture of Russian paratroopers well within Ukraine by Ukraine's security service near Dzerkaine, clearly these poor men had no idea they had crossed the border, were simply following orders to go on patrol. All are from the 98th Guards airborne Division based in central Russia. They were sent on a "march" with a column of vehicles with little understanding of where they were headed other than on a "training exercise".

It is assumed that their officers were informed of the unit's mission.

"They didn't say anything, just march 70 kilometres" said the Russian soldier identified as Private Ivan Melchukov.