Ukraine Military Operation Begins in East

WSJ ^ | 15 Apr 14 | James Marson and Lukas I. Alpert

[elhombrelibre]

Two pro-Russian militants were apparently wounded in a clash at a military airfield Tuesday as armored Ukrainian units began moving into the county's restive east, part of a military operation to take back control of cities seized by separatists.

Soldiers riding aboard armored personnel carriers took up positions around the region at the heart of the unrest, setting up checkpoints along key roads, with transport helicopters parked in fields nearby.

Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said the "antiterrorist" operation began in the early morning hours in the northern part of the Donetsk region, where the majority of the cities commandeered by pro-Russian forces are located. He described it as "phased, responsible and balanced."

[elhombrelibre]

Interesting article. Another quote:

"Slovyansk's mayor, Nelya Shtepa, a Yanukovych appointee who over the weekend insisted the takeover had strong local support, changed her position Tuesday. She said the seizure had been instigated by Russian forces who had moved in from Crimea and that most locals were opposed to leaving Ukraine."

[FreeReign]

She said the seizure had been instigated by Russian forces who had moved in from Crimea and that most locals were opposed to leaving Ukraine."

Even in the eastern oblasts, most don't want to become part of Russia.

[elhombrelibre]

I’m sure you’re right. The way forward isn’t trading Ukrainian oligarchs for Russian ones. Putin’s not gotten to be one of the richest men in the world by looking out for the Russian people. He’s stolen it from them.

[elhombrelibre]

She also said:

""These are not our people, it's not our war and not our revolution," she told the television station, 112 Ukraine. "

[Zhang Fei]

More from her:

Ms. Shtepa said she had only backed the occupation initially to secure the safety of local police officers who she said were being held at the police station.

"I was doing everything to free hostages," she said. "When I saw those very serious guys, and when everyone came to me wanting to attack them, I realized, every one of them in there will die."

If what she says is true, the Russians are gonna have a heck of a time fighting in Ukraine.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks elhombrelibre.

[tcrlaf]

Local Slovyansk Paper showing a video of locals confronting a Ukrainian tank this morning.

Tank crew is isolated, and not doing well in the mud. being blocked by the locals.
http://slavgorod.com.ua/News/Article/823

[lodi90]

Even in the eastern oblasts, most don't want to become part of Russia.

There is definitely a lot of USSR nostalgia in the older generations but the young want EU passports. It's generational divide and not along ethnic lines. The only demo firmly in Team KGB's camp are train station drunks, lay about losers, etc.

[lodi90]

Did you see this? Great pic of pro-Russian “civilians” in Slovyansk yesterday here:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-14/fragile-europe-weakens-u-s-push-for-russia-sanctions.html

[no-to-illegals]

Ms. Shtepa said she had only backed the occupation initially to secure the safety of local police officers who she said were being held at the police station.

Uh oh ... With names being taken and when fog can no longer create fog the danger increases. She may want to go into hiding. As the situation escalates, if does, not good to have been exposed with her own words (imho). Prayers for calm to return.

[elhombrelibre]

Yes, these are the imponderables. How do the real people feel about being annexed (Anschluss) into Russia to become Putin’s pawns.

[elhombrelibre]

Putin’s plans may require him to reestablish the Russian Gulag. I used to say communist, but if they want Putin they own the whole history of horrors inflicted on the Euro/Asian landmass in the 20th Century.

[no-to-illegals]

Am still trying to find out if federal officials are building prisons south of our border for housing Americans as was alleged by some other officials. Bet most of the truthful info has been scrubbed from the web if the alleging officials told the truth.

[lodi90]

If what she says is true, the Russians are gonna have a heck of a time fighting in Ukraine.

---

Sounds like Putin is sending in his brigade of train station drunks. This could get ugly:

Drunken Crowd Outside Kramatorsk Airbase

http://pressimus.com/Interpreter_Mag/press/2315

[Uncle Miltie]

He described it as "phased, responsible and balanced."

Unwise.

You want "surprising, shocking, and unbalanced."

[McGruff]

Dam Russian Terrorist.

[elhombrelibre]

These Putin pawns are more like Obama's acorn, rent a mob types. Putin has Spetsnaz for wet work.

Besides read this:

"Slovyansk's mayor, Nelya Shtepa, a Yanukovych appointee who over the weekend insisted the takeover had strong local support, changed her position Tuesday. She said the seizure had been instigated by Russian forces who had moved in from Crimea and that most locals were opposed to leaving Ukraine."

[rbmillerjr]

You wait for them to go home from their part in this.

Then you put them in secret prisons. No bodies. No crimes against russian speaking minorities.

Putin has no reason to annex any other territory.

But, you turn the pressure up in Russia proper and pay the Chechnyans to “do their thing”.

If Putin wants to play, you play with him in the same game...dirty and covertly.