(Huge thanks to “CG” who found this text here. The Saker)
“Citizens of Donetsk People`s Republic, I address you with a quest. It`s the quest to protect your Motherland, your homes, your families, your people. I have to ask you to do the thing which by all human standards is not required to ask. As it was always an honor in Russia to protect your Motherland and your freedom. This call was always responded by those who considered themselves to be men. Nevertheless, I have to tell you the truth to straight in the eyes. I have to tell you words which are hard and maybe even insulting for your dignity.
Igor Strelkov |
It`s more than a month already that we, a small group of volunteers from Russia and Ukraine, heeding the calls for help have arrived here and have been opposing in our armed struggle all Ukrainian army and many hired waste flying down to feast.
During the past month we have heard many times a desperate call – give us weapons! Give us weapons to make it possible for us to fight for our freedom, for our right to read and speak our native Russian language, for the right to honor our ancestors as heroes of the Great Patriotic war and not the henchmen of Nazi criminals. Heeding this call we`ve got the guns. We have seized it in warehouses; have taken from Ukrainian military and police; have bought from the underground merchants for crazy money. And now we have weapon. It`s not in the deep rear – neither in Donetsk, Lugansk or Makeevka nor in Shakhtyorsk or Antratsit. It is on the front line of defense – in sieged Slavyansk, Kramatorsk and Konstantinovka. It`s here, where it`s necessary more than anywhere else. Here, where the volunteers cover all the rest Donets Basin and together Donetsk and Lugansk. And again here under the cities Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, KrasniyLiman and Konstantonovka, where our garrisons are located, Kiev junta has gathered its most capable and numerous forces. The two thirds of chasteners and the headquarters of so-called anti-terrorist operation are located nearby.
And so, the moment has come, when every Donets Basin resident fit to carry arms and use them against the enemies of his people, may arrive and get the weapon right in his hands. He may get it and join the ranks of the militia to drive the chasteners outside the native land. But what do we see? – Anything, but not the crowds of volunteers at the gates of our headquarters.
There is 120 thousands of population in Slavyansk; there are twice more in Kramatorsk. Generally 4.5 million people live in Donetskaya region. Yes, not all of them are men of capable age. Not all of them are healthy and not employed in the important for life productions. Not all can come to us due to family and any other justifiable circumstances. But frankly, I haven`t expected that there isn`t a thousand of men in the entire region who are ready to risk their lives in their city not on the neighbour to their house barricade from where it takes half a day by car to reach the first national guardsman rather on the front line where they fire every day.
Nevertheless, it`s so. I`ll give examples in order not to be unfounded. Three days ago the group of 12 heroes from Artyomovsk selected and recommended by one highly-respected man came. When they came to know that they would have to serve directly in Slavyansk and not in their Artyomovsk and that the term is not limited to a few days, they didn`t even get weapons.
The story repeated yesterday. From the 35 volunteers arrived from Donetsk, listened to the sounds of faraway mortar bombardment and found out that they couldn`t go home together with the received weapons in three days, 25 safely went home. Perhaps, they went to complain for hard conditions they hadn`t felt a minute and to tell about their heroism appeared in a passenger bus. And these are not the only cases. We face this regularly.
Still being in Crimea, I had to hear the stories from the activists of people`s movement that “as soon as miners rise, they tear everybody with bare hands”. Well, maybe once it was so. But now it`s still not observed. Dozens and hundreds of people have stood in line and fight. Tens and hundreds of thousands quietly watch this on TV, sipping beer. Perhaps they are waiting when the army capable to do everything for them launches from consanguineous Russia or when enough crazy volunteers come who a ready to die for their right to live a decent life instead of that they have been existing for 23 years under the power of Ukrainian nationalists.
Where are those 27 thousand volunteers, which magazines are writing about? I don`t see them. To come home and to tell excited women with a proud look, “I signed up a volunteer!” is it all you are able to do? In our volunteer rank there are more and more people who are more than 40. They grew up and got their education at the time of the USSR. But there are very few young people. Where are they all, young healthy guys? Maybe they are in those bandit brigades who feeling anarchy have rushed to loot the loot and to create chaos in all cities and towns of Donetsk area? Yes, the news about the next “feats” comes to us every day.
And many failed militiamen demand weapons first of all to protect themselves from bandits and criminals in their own houses. Well, their desire is reasonable. But the question is – how should militia commanders understand: who has come for weapons to them? Whether it`s an honest citizen or another bandit imitating a Donetsk patriot?
The answer we give sounds simple: only that one is considered to be a militiaman who personally participates in the battle activities against the troops of junta as a part of a combat unit in the place and at the time his commanders consider to be proper. Because there will be nothing without discipline – not only victory but order as well.
If everyone fights in the place he personally wants and as long as he wishes then Donetsk militia rapidly turns into something between a bunches of disparate deserters and the gang of “father Angel” (a character of the Soviet movie “The Adjutant of His Excellency”. – “NewsBalt”). But it won`t be this way.
Only those who recommend themselves in combats with the enemy and recommend themselves in other combat tasks will receive the right to establish order at their own homes in the ranks of the militia. And we`ll establish this order, you may have no doubts.
Let those who today set “under the roof” stores and enterprises, who sell drugs and simply rob the defenseless population, let them all do not hope the game runs under the old rules and for the war emergency. An end of bandit Donets Basin has come. The new power will give the opportunity to refuse the criminal craft to everybody. But those who doesn`t want is given a fitting rebuff – such kind of a rebuff which is impossible to pay off with any money,according to the law of war.
I`ll return to the main. Donetsk land needs protectors and the militia needs disciplined soldiers-volunteers. If men are not capable to do it, we`ll have to call women. From today I have given the order to take them into the militia. It`s a real pity, that there are no officers among women – neither acting nor from reserve.
But what`s the difference if men-officers don`t come to us at all. In the entire region we haven`t yet found a couple of dozens military men ready to head the fighting units. It`s a darn shame!
For two weeks I`ve been asking to send me the chief staff and at least five companies` and platoons` commanders. There`s silence, there`s no one. Privates and sergeants of reserve command companies and platoons. Some of them command really not bad, but the further the more the absence of proper military knowledge is felt. Well, they learn after some time. But I warn no one of so-called officers sitting in their apartments like scared sparrows under the roof during thunder having not joined the ranks of militia, in our eyes is ever considered to be an officer. We`ll take care to make ordinary citizens share our opinion.
Perhaps, there are just a few days left until the battle activities still running without especial bitterness expand to a scale of a true battle with dozens and hundreds of killed and wounded.
The enemy is demoralized but still very strong. He has sponsors-oligarchs ready to pay enormous money for each murder, for each ruined house, for each crime against Russian nation. To win him we need to fight.
Let those citizens who are able to hear me and prove the faithfulness to his land and his people, arrive at the headquarters of the militia in the cities: Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, Krasniy Liman, Konstantinovka, and Gorlovka.
There the commanders appointed by me will form marching units, organize training and when they are ready send them to the army. And let it still looks as not large, not well-organized partisan detachment, it fights and will win.
Walk and yes hall reach. God and truth are together with us!
Thank you.
From Forbes – Why everything you heard about Urk is wrong.
It is a well balance piece.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2014/05/19/why-everything-youve-read-about-ukraine-is-wrong/?ss=leadership
This man is a hero. He’s not only brave enough to fight not-strictly for his own, but he’s got the courage to set it all out there, doing what needs to be done, while risking accusations of “looking weak” from armchair warriors overseas (like a whole lot of us right here at this blog as well as everywhere else).
And Saker, you called this right from the start — “Help me, help me, help me, what do you mean I’ve got to do it myself?” No one should have to go through what we’re doing to these people, but the only way they’re going to gain any real autonomy is if they fight for it, hard. It shouldn’t be that way — that’s our fault, here, for letting it happen while we were too busy doing other stuff to notice — but it is what it is. If they want a say in their lives, they’re going to have to fight for it. God bless him for saying so. May God protect him.
very sad but very eloquent. i hope this brave man manages to get out alive! pili
He sounds frustrated, but entirely reasonable. Hopefully his goading will have some positive effect and get a few off their arses. Interesting that most of the volunteers are 40+.
Fortunately the west, that beacon of ‘free speech zones’ can slap itself o nthe back, because Threats aim to derail Ukraine’s presidential vote that’s what ‘we’ stand for.
Do Europeans know how large the numbers of resistance fighters were during WWII?
The Germans did manage to occupy quite a bit of foreign land for quite some time. Was that because the legions of partisans went off in the wrong direction?
Strelkov is now saying the address did help in attracting new people. But it unfortunately also fed into the propaganda of “nobody really supports Strelkov, he is on his own (or just about)”. It is useful to remember that Strelkov is someone who is rather inclined to negativity, but it does not usually mean that things are really going down the drain. Here is a good post on the subject (in Russian):
http://arguendi.livejournal.com/938082.html
He definitely does not look like the kind of guy that you [rhymes with truck] with. The Nazi’s have something to worry about.
A confidence builder.
By the way, Igor Strelkov really is a Colonel, he retired about a year ago. And not from the “Spetsnaz GRU” that SBU finds under every bed. He is ex-FSB. Fought in Transnistria, Bosnia, both Chechen wars. He is also a published writer among other things. Rather an interesting character with strong convictions. He seems to be genuinely fighting for his ideals (whether one agrees with these ideals or not).
Auslander,
This piece by Olga Shedrova, http://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2014/05/20/kiev-regime-wages-war-to-reduce-ukraine-population.html, not only repeats that 650 pro-Kiev fighters have been killed, but states that the National Guard soldiers are killing their own wounded right on the battlefield. That strikes me as a whole lot worse than fragging.
Latest claims are that chloroform was used in the Odessa atrocity; I’m not sure how but it would certainly qualify as a chemical weapon. Now this.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on all this, as well as Strelkov — and am praying for you and your family, as well as everyone else living through these horrors.
Fascinating but depressing. No politician or diplomat would ever publish something of such brutal and probably self-defeating honesty.
Clearly the majority are willing to vote for independence, but not to fight for it. Strelkov is trying to shame the young men of Donetsk into volunteering, but I doubt that it will work; by his account, the majority seem to be prudent opportunists, if not actual criminals willing to take advantage of the breakdown of law and order.
(I wonder to what extent it is also a distaste of shedding blood of people who until a few weeks ago were fellow Ukrainians.)
Most likely the reason is simply that fervent nationalism, idealism, heroism, and similar attitudes have gone out of fashion in our times. That’s mostly a good thing, except when the moment comes to stand up and be counted. People are all about money, status and entertainment now.
I’m concerned about the effect of this appeal on the two sides’ morale – the self-defence forces will be made to feel they are a tiny minority in a hopeless position. At the same time, he is handing the opposition (including the NATO-aligned media) a great propaganda tool. I can already see the headlines, “Donetsk separatists few and demoralised, unable to stop looting and crime.” It may be the beginning of the end. (Though I hope not.)
davidius
This looks like Sakers earlier analysis that the people in the East is too afraid or ignorant of that is happening in Ukraine. Maybe they are hopping for a Russian intervention. I don’t think that will happen. Why would the Russians care about people who will not take care of them self. Then the border are closed and the works have gone it will be to late
An excellent idea: Come serve in the front lines first, then we’ll rotate you back to your hometown to organize the local defense. But will his tactic of shaming work? Clearly, the need is urgent. Plus, Strelkov cannot be the only one speaking; a whole company of Strelkovs is required. And how much of what he said was directed at Russia?
Thanks to whoever did the translation (Rosbalt?), but I’d like to put the following question to The Saker’s readers: how do you best translate Rus’ (Русь)?
The published text went with a very approximate “Russia.” Except I don’t think Russia-the-modern-state was what was meant in the appeal.
Maybe “Russian lands”? Other ideas?
Anon:
You beat me to it on the Forbes Article. Not only is it shockingly balanced, it comes from a magazine dedicated editorially at this time to celebrating billionaire oligarchs around the world and pushing an agressively hawkish US/NATO/Atlantacist foreign policy.
For this article to see the light of day, it has obviously come about that Kolomoisky, who the article is really about, has gone completely over whatever line it is that billionaires think shouldn’t be crossed in setting up the future neo-feudalist society they dream about. He is being called to account and exposed in the western press as a dangerous criminal murderer. Combine this with the expose of the use of chloroform to disable and kill the holocaust victims in Odessa, and the release that the SBU/Parubiy/Turchinov nexus was apparently behind the Maidan sniper attacks which the Russian press has been saying for weeks and you can see the ground is moving.
It would seem that a number of decisions have now occurred and the outcome is now coming down. The Ukranian Army is not going to mutiny. Russia is not going to invade. Crimea has been written off by all concerned as Russian land. A presidential election will be held on May 25 and apparently elect Poroshenko. Timoshenko is not coming back, much to everyone’s relief. Akhmetov is going to hold tightly to Donbass no matter who is in charge. NATO and Russia are going to meet in a week and call off the nuclear saber rattling – no one wants to die. Now it looks like Kolomoisky is facing some discipline – he should watch out if he values breathing from what I just read of that Forbes article, he has made some powerful people very angry.
There is only little pesky problem – Strelkov and the nascent governments of Donetsk and Lugansk which are not playing to the script being arranged to calm the situation down, and part of the reason its not going right is Kolomoisky and his provocations.
Chloroform found in Odessa House of Unions – Ukrainian Interior Ministry
http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_19/Chloroform-found-in-Odesa-House-of-Unions-Ukrainian-Interior-Ministry-1254/
“Chloroform was discovered in the House of Unions in Odesa, where several dozen people were killed in flames on May 2, chief of the Ukrainian Interior Ministry’s Main Investigative Department Vitaly Sakal announced.
“Chloroform was found in the litter and soot when the House of Unions was being examined. Chloroform is normally used in surgical operations. We have yet to establish why this substance was there,” Sakal said at a press briefing on Monday.
“According to experts, inhaling chloroform vapors obstructs the breathing, which is what happened in our case. The cause of the 32 deaths in Odesa on May 2 was heart failure and breathlessness under the impact of an unidentified substance, not as a result of the high temperature,” he said. Sakal also said that the mixture containing chloroform had been in the House of Unions for quite a few days.
“According to experts, if the substance remains in the open air, it becomes toxic. Heating is not needed in this case. Inhaling its vapors leads to irreparable damage for humans,” he said. Sakal said that the Ukrainian law enforcement services had urged the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine to provide skilled experts to assist Ukrainian specialists.”
Hi Saker,
What do you think of that ? Ukraine crisis/gas flows analysis by Anatoly El-Murid. That’s some bright analysis, it looks like Russia is facing a strategic threat on the gas/economy front: http://el-murid.livejournal.com/1805525.html
Regards,
Crazy Ivan says…
It’s interesting how much the statement made a confusion among bloggers and people.
Quite a lot as bloggers start to put in doubt Mr. Putin’s deeds and words.
The text of Mr. Shamir suggested Mr. Putin is slowly opening his eyes (time to change advisers?). :)
But not all is lost.
1. Mr. Putin ordered to withdraw military units from Ukraine vicinity (not borders after all!) just as the US wished
2. Russia asked for emergency Russia- NATO Council meeting (push-pull game started when – NATO wants the meeting at May 27th – http://voiceofrussia.com/)
3. Ukraine discussed at Putin’s meeting with Russian Security Council
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_19/Ukraine-discussed-at-Putins-meeting-with-Russian-Security-Council-6985/
4. Kiev is insolent in its war crimes more and more.
All news are pointing overtly or covertly to the end of the ultra-nationalist and fascist state.
The man is too young to be a retired GRU Colonel and “Strelkov” is a generic GRU pseudonym which translates as “Shooter”.
Regardless, I hope he gets the help he requested. I wish Putin would just go in, but I am sure he is ahead of the game and awaits his time.
Gazprom to sign monumental gas deal with China
http://rt.com/business/159880-gazprom-china-russia-cnpc/
“Russia and China are due to sign a long-awaited gas contract on Tuesday, in which Beijing could pay up to $456 billion for Russian gas over the next 30 years.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Shanghai on May 20-21, Gazprom and the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) are due to sign a deal for 38 billion cubic meters of natural gas to power China’s growing economy, starting in 2018…”
Rus is shorthand for Kievean Rus, the ancestral seat of Russianness.
If anything, this is the reflection of how badly eastern Ukraine has degraded in the past two decades.
Strelkov is a figure that often shows up in troubled times – both tragic and grotesque. He is an avid military recreationist and a staunch believer in the “White” movement of 1917-21. My impression all along was that he’s playing a role of baron Wrangel. Not consciously copying him, but falling into a role his convictions prepared for him. The overwhelming irony is that he’s beset with some of the same problems that brought Wrangel down – lack of centralized command and discipline, lack of reliable reinforcements, apathy of population and (what a surprise) bandit – infested areas he cannot hope to control. The main problem, though, is that he thinks like he believes a White officer ought to think. His mental and ideological frame of reference is entirely out of place and out of time in the Donbass of today. Women’s Battalions indeed…
And if he’s truly the best that the DPR has got in terms of leadership, then let DPR rest in peace. It wasn’t meant to be.
BOPOH
Chernobyl memories faded? Kiev turns blind eye to disaster risk in nuclear deal with US
http://rt.com/news/159848-ukraine-nuclear-deal-westinghouse/
“…Actually, Westinghouse has already supplied nuclear fuel to Ukraine’s Energoatom nuclear power generator company. In 2005, six experimental Westinghouse fuel assemblies, adopted for use in USSR-developed reactors, were tried at the South Ukraine plant in one reactor together with Russian fuel rods.
Though nuclear engineers were skeptical of the pilot probe, the government of former president Viktor Yushchenko signed a deal in 2008 with Westinghouse on fuel rod supply, despite the fact that American nuclear fuel is significantly more expensive and technologically different: Russian nuclear fuel rods are hexagonal in section, while Americans produce fuel assemblies of square section.
This time a batch of 42 fuel assemblies was loaded into three reactors at the South Ukraine nuclear power plant for a standard three-year period of commercial operation.
When in 2012 the time came to replace the fuel assemblies, Ukrainian nuclear engineers found that Westinghouse assemblies deformed during exploitation and got stuck in the core.
Energoatom accused Westinghouse of producing poorly engineered assemblies, whereas Westinghouse countered, accusing the Ukrainian engineers of installing the rods badly.
After the incident the use of American nuclear fuel was banned in Ukraine fuel rods were returned to the producer ‘to get fixed’ and Russian experts were summoned to help with the repair of the equipment produced in the USSR. The Energoatom Company lost an estimated $175 million.
Similar problems with Westinghouse fuel assemblies occurred at a number of other USSR-constructed nuclear power plants: NPP Krško in Slovenia, NPP Loviisa in Finland and NPP Temelin in the Czech Republic. All these countries opted to return to time-proved fuel assemblies produced by Russia’s TVEL Company.
Now Ukraine appears to be ready to fall into the same trap twice. The coup-imposed Kiev regime has renewed the 2008 nuclear fuel deal till 2020, to replace 25 percent of the Russian-made fuel rods with an option to “provide more if needed,” reported the Associated Press in April – all this for the sole purpose of ‘diversifying’ supply…”
But the Ukraine is safely far enough away from Israel and the USA, so no problem for them. Any meltdown would wreck the environment of eastern Europe, which the zionazis don’t care about, and the environment of Russia, something the zionazis would very much like to make happen.
Crazy Ivan says…
The Saker, we crossed sabers few weeks ago on NATO’s help. I joked about soups you said there will be no helping deliveries.
The soups appeared to be real (I was wrong) as some photographs of the packs were published recently.
Now it’s your turn. ;-)
http://rian.com.ua/politics/20140519/349588986.html
Media: NATO’s assistance on the border with Ukraine
Quote – “
MOSCOW, may 19 – RIA Novosti. NSDC Secretary Andrei Parubiy said that part of the assistance that Ukraine has allocated countries-members of NATO, is already on the Ukrainian border, reports Ukrainian news Agency UNN with reference to the “Radio Freedom”.
“Helmets, body armor, night vision devices, materials for medical care and other equipment from NATO is already partly on the Ukrainian border, and the Ukrainian army is a matter of just a few days,” said Parubiy. According to the NSDC Secretary, Ukraine needs reform of the defense sector.
Earlier it was reported that the state border service of Ukraine will receive from the U.S. Department of defense additional aid package in the amount of seven million dollars to meet the needs of security at the state border. Also, the state border service reported that the office has already begun to receive a part of equipment designed to enhance border security. In particular, it is the fuel pumps, barbed wire, batteries for vehicles, parts, binoculars.
Also, the US provided the armed forces of Ukraine 300 thousand sets MRE rations. Data soldering intended for the Ukrainian military, performing tasks of command separately from the main forces.
In March, Ukraine presented the NATO list of military-technical equipment, which may require the country. Acting foreign Minister of Ukraine Andriy dedica said that we are not talking about weapons. Earlier, NATO Secretary General has repeatedly stated that the Alliance has the equipment, it can only provide member countries.
Authorities are in the East of Ukraine in the operation against supporters of federalization. The most acute confrontation was in the city of Slavyansk on the North of Donetsk region, which currently control the people’s militia units, and also in Kramatorsk and Mariupol. In Donetsk and Lugansk regions were declared “people’s Republic” after the referendum on the status of regions.
“
You lost too. ;-)
Strelkov’s appeal is heartrending. Maybe the people in the East think that they will be unscathed under the junta or whoever else runs the government after the “presidential elections.” That’s not how it works. You stop the criminals before their appetites get bigger. You would have thought that after Odessa that the people would have understood. Evidently they did not. We will all pay in the end, whether we are in the Ukraine or even in the US. God help the Ukraine and us, too, and our children who will inherit this mess. But yes, Saker, your earlier post was correct. What a real shame!
My apologies to the author but this comment was meant for your latest post and not the one before it.
So the bad news is that the number of volunteers for the self defense/militia forces in the Donbass is lower than they would like. But to me the good news is that the opposition in the region managed to organize and hold two successful referendums on self determination.
If we assume that the results and the turnout for the referendums in Lugansk and Donetsk were more or less accurate then maybe that is the best way to mobilize the population for the moment. And why not? It’s been said those referendums were at the very least as legitimate as the transfer of power which took place in Kiev.
Yesterday a blogger in Kharkov reported that the opposition in that province have decided that they too will attempt to hold a referendum on self determination though they haven’t set a date. PressTV reported the same thing. While none of these referendums will be recognized as legitimate (especially if the results favour the opposition) as a pressure tactic they could prove to be effective.
Crazy Ivan says…
It seems that Mr. Putin stopped listening to Madame Merkel’s venoms. At last…
http://www.tvp.info/15264087/merkel-apeluje-do-putina-o-uznanie-wyborow-na-ukrainie
Merkel urges Putin to recognize the elections in Ukraine
/Yandex + corrections/
(my emphasis)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged President Vladimir Putin of Russia on the recognition of the upcoming Sunday presidential elections in Ukraine”, – informed the press-Secretary of the government of Germany after a telephone conversation between the two leaders.
The press Secretary said in a conversation with the President of Russia, Angela Merkel stressed the importance of elections for the stabilization of the situation in Ukraine.
German Chancellor welcomed the start of the Ukraine national dialogue and the first talks at the round table. This initiative can allow all political forces, which he clearly distances itself from violence, talk about the future of Ukraine, and respect for the territorial integrity of that state.
The role of the OSCE
The Kremlin has informed, however, that in conversation with Angela Merkel, Vladimir Putin emphasized the importance of the constitutional reform in Ukraine, to move the country out of the crisis.
The Russian President and the German Chancellor also spoke about the role of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in deeskalacji conflict in Ukraine.
PAP (Polish Press Agency)
To Andrew,
My reading list: Jim Sinclair.
http://www.jsmineset.com/
He provides really cool links (finance, news, etc related to Russia / China/ US markets)and his one-sentence commentary is priceless.
:)
From Anon 12:17
Not totally off topic. *Another* coup appears to be in the works. This one in Libya, with a CIA operative leading the coup.
Obama’s hair is going to turn white with all these coups to manage.
http://www.france24.com/en/20140519-coup-leader-cia-asset-libya-general-Khalifa-haftar/
It seems incredible, but where are the young people? But, if I have even wanted to go to help with anything! Of course, I am 40+.
If things continue so bad, there will be organized International Brigades.
Health and strenght.
Saker:
I hope you caught this critical claim in the Yahoo article Daniel Rich linked to.
“Mahera, the election official, said preparations for the presidential vote are on track everywhere except for Donetsk and Luhansk, where election officials have provided the Central Election Commission with only 26 percent and 16 percent of the voter rolls, respectively. Election officials cannot access the premises where the voter rolls are kept because they have been seized by pro-Russia separatists, he said.”
And yet, just a week ago, we were hearing from Roman Lyagin that the DNR had to make do with the voter rolls from 2012 for the referendum, because Kiev would not provide access to the up to date rolls.
Now hear from Kiev from Mahera and we have Kiev claiming they don’t have the current voter rolls because they have been seized by DNR.
Obviously they both can’t be telling the truth. And Mr. Lyagin didn’t seem to have much reason to lie when he claimed Kiev denied him the up to date rolls.
I have just re-read the text. It really stirs up emotions – Strelkov is indeed a good writer. I have heard quite a few people in Russia say “He is addressing people of Donetsk, but for some reason *I* am the one who feels ashamed”. It is hard not to think that Russia could at least send the guy a chief of staff and the handful of other officers he is asking for. Find some retired ones, like Strelkov himself. Officers with military experience are so much easier to come by in Russia than in Ukraine. Or they should “find” themselves and just go. The Russian-Ukrainian border is full of holes. But you hear things like that Russia is not only not encouraging, but actively preventing people from going. I do not know how true it is. I hope it is not. We shall see, I guess.
The Forbes article is excellent. Perhaps business people are more interested in information than propaganda:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesleadershipforum/2014/05/19/why-everything-youve-read-about-ukraine-is-wrong/?ss=leadership
I guess he knows his classics, since he’s a seasoned veteran.
“Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”
“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive …”
Is he just playing it or not ? who knows.
Discovered this blog when the Maidan protests began. Have been lurking and pretty much living here ever since. It has kept me somewhat sane. Glad about the Forbes article and look forward to reading it. On the other hand, just listened to a vomit in the mouth inducing program on NPR about evil totalitarian governments like Russia and Cuba and China who suppress bloggers. However, some valiant bloggers in Ukraine are getting their pro Kiev message out. Retch! Retch! I hate NPR.
Link to NPR http://www.npr.org/2014/05/19/313996769/the-blogging-battlegrounds-of-eastern-ukraine
from RT: “15:07 GMT: The Ukrainian Interior Ministry is investigating four possible reasons for the deadly clashes in Odessa on May 2, according to the head of the ministry’s investigation department, Vitaly Sakal, who said the case could go to court in a month.
“There are four versions of what happened: first, an attempt by extremist groups to destabilize the situation in the country; second, illegal actions by local authorities and law enforcers with the purpose of discrediting the country’s government; third, uncontrolled actions by fans of the Chernomorets and the Metallist football clubs together with pro-Russian activists, accompanied by the passivity of authorities and the police; fourth, provocation by radical forces,” Sakal said.
The official also said 32 people died in the House of Trade Unions on May 2, after they inhaled chloroform vapors. Traces of the substance have, according to Sakal, been found in soot and litter at the House of Trade Unions.”
No mention of Kolomiskiy, Pariyubi, or any of the real perpetrators, just various ways of trying to blame the victims. Quelle surprise.
В Мариуполе рабочих завода принуждают митинговать в поддержку Киева (In Mariupol factory workers are forced to hold rallies in support of Kyiv)
http://lifenews.ru/news/133466
Yandex translation.
“For refusal to participate in the March for a United Ukraine employees metallurgical combine “Azovstal” face dismissal.
Workers of large Mariupol metallurgical plant Azovstal under threat of dismissal brought to rally for a United Ukraine.
One of the employees of the enterprise on air LifeNews said that even any objective refusal to participate in the procession immediately entails the dismissal from work.
They have set a task to gather the people. At first it was voluntary participation, but by the end of the day, when it became clear that wish too little, to the rally started to force – says Eugene. Said that those who will not go to the meeting, will bid farewell to work.
According to the source, the column with banners and slogans had to go to the cinema with them. Shevchenko and join the workers of combine them. Of Mariupol, and then in the direction of the Park Gurov.
Thus, according to the organizers, the protesters had to demonstrate their support for a United Ukraine.
– We had a fellow who was going to refuse to participate in the meeting due to illness, but this was not a valid reason. I think that will not be refused and will gather many people, ” continues Eugene. – I, like most others, this procession do not support. We voted for the referendum and their opinions clearly expressed. But forces us!
Metallurgical combine “Azovstal” – one of the largest industrial enterprises in Ukraine. Since 2006 is controlled by the structures of Rinat Akhmetov, who is the richest man in Ukraine. His condition according to Forbes $12.5 billion on may 14 he recorded a video messagein which has told about his vision of possible scenarios of development of the country, having acted for a United Ukraine.”
Sounds like Akhmetov needs to be relieved of his wealth and business holdings and be treated as a common criminal. He should also be investigated to see if he is also guilty of war crimes.
MOA’s site appears to be down…
Anyone here know anything about it?
NATO troops to be deployed in the Ukraine.
НАТО направило специалистов на украинские атомные электростанции(NATO has sent experts to Ukrainian nuclear power plant)
http://vz.ru/news/2014/5/19/687449.html
(Yandex)
“To strengthen the safety of Ukrainian NPPs NATO sent a group of civil specialists, said the NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at a press conference in Brussels.
“Yes, we, at the request of the Ukrainian authorities sent a small group of civil employees in order to help the authorities to enhance the security of civilian nuclear power plants”, – Rasmussen said, reports RIA “Novosti”.
This message later commented Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin.
“NATO is now in each powder keg plug? Isn’t this exclusive competence of the IAEA control over the provision of NPP safety?!”, – he wrote in his Facebook.
Earlier media reported about the intention of the Ukrainian national nuclear energy generating company Energoatom and Westinghouse to sign a contract for the supply of nuclear fuel for three reactors of Ukrainian NPPs.
With criticism of this decision was made by the Director of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Rogozin, the Russian foreign Ministry.
First Deputy Chairman of state Duma Committee on industry Vladimir Gutenev sent a message to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, in which he warned about the danger of failure of the Ukrainian nuclear power plants from calculated on Russian nuclear fuel.
Recall that the introduction of American TBC-W at NPPs of Ukraine began in 2004. Already on the results of the trial showed damage, and the developer made changes to a design.
The analysis of design TBC-W already at the initial stage of operation allowed to specify a number of drawbacks of this design.
In Ministry of energy of Ukraine assured that Westinghouse has improved the design of assemblies. However, experts think that the decision of the Kyiv threat of nuclear safety in the region.”
Those NATO “experts” are most likely military personnel and this is a subterfuge to introduce NATO troops into the Ukraine.
cold beer and t.v. smartphones, video games and weed. propaganda 24/7. porno on demand.
my guess is the youth will not rise up. how can you charge your i-phone while in a trench? all best to russia and russians. but my guess is that western ways – see above – are already well established in many many ukrainians and russians. we should keep our fingers crossed and pray for peace. pili
A way to weasel in more American support, and possibly troops into the Ukraine.
Украина попросила у США обмундирование и транспорт из Афганистана и Ирака(Ukraine asked the US for equipment and transport left from Afghanistan and Iraq)
http://www.vz.ru/news/2014/5/19/687444.html
“Ukraine asks U.S. to provide it with uniforms, vehicles and means of reconnaissance, which were used in Afghanistan and Iraq, said the former Deputy Minister of defence of Ukraine Leonid Polyakov, who visited Washington for talks with U.S. officials…”
The U.S. would have to man this equipment sent to the Ukraine and provide training for the Ukrainian military. A ploy to increase American material support for the bandera bum bandits and also to get American military personnel into the Ukraine.
It appears that the Ukrainian people as a whole ( not the bands of pro Kiev and anti kiev fighters) are waiting this out for now. I think this is illustrated by the ambivalence of the army. More will be revealed because whether they like it or not history has chosen this time and place for a very important play. Our part is to be truth tellers and information spreaders and to answer the call whenever it comes to our neighborhoods.
Igor Strelkov is an idiot and a fool. (IMO)
Appealing to patriotism to such a group of people that have just been so horribly betrayed by their corrupt government (and its military.) Wow, he sure has his nerve.
Every man and woman that voted in the referendum should have been entitled to a gun and ammo (no strings attached ) They took their lives into their own hands even voting. Sending ANYONE asking for arms for “home guard” away empty handed (not even with a serviceable antique ) under the current circumstances, is nothing short of criminal. Asking for “posse members” after meeting that minimum standard of trust, would be acceptable. But he certainly didn’t meet that standard. The Military “deserters” selling stolen arms on the black market, have more redeeming characteristics. (IMO)
There are several OTHER facts (as a background) having studied this issue, that would lead me to distrust this fellow and the horse he rode in on. (That I’m not willing to share at this time.)
But thank you for posting this information.
Capitalized as it appeared in the Paper Quote: (Not to offend you)
“Even as it stands, the Home Guard could only exist in a country where men feel themselves free. The totalitarian states can do great things, but there is one thing they cannot do: they cannot give the factory-worker a rifle and tell him to take it home and keep it in his bedroom. THAT RIFLE HANGING ON THE WALL OF THE WORKING-CLASS FLAT OR LABOURER’S COTTAGE, IS THE SYMBOL OF DEMOCRACY. IT IS OUR JOB TO SEE THAT IT STAYS THERE.” — From “Don’t Let Colonel Blimp Ruin the Home Guard” article for the Evening Standard, 8 January 1941 — George Orwell
Col. Blimp (Strelkov) is strangling the home guard in the crib.
…
Now I know WHY Yarosh was talking about using “Guerilla Warfare” to “Squish” the east. Strelkov is attempting to fight as an organized military, those are usually DESTROYED by Guerilla tactics. Right Sector brought down Yanukovich using those tactics. Strelkov will FAIL the same way, if he leaves things as they are. (All my opinion)
I’m Russian and can tell you that his speech was at right time (close to May 25) and served it’s purpose. Do you really think he needs solders from Slaviansk ? Young guys from schools and factories? Think about what he said: we have enough arms, now we need army. The border is now open. So help, as I understand, will come from the same source as where arms came from and it will be professional missioners from Russia, but everyone will believe that someone else is fighting. Once they will start to win, regular people will join army.
Resultant crowing from Kiev/MSM won’t amount to a hill o’beans in Donetsk presently. Only local bayonet-in-the-face force, will prevail. God bless Strelkov and his.
However, the opinion of Anonymous @ 02.02 is disturbing.
Austrian said…
Fascinating but depressing. No politician or diplomat would ever publish something of such brutal and probably self-defeating honesty.
……………………………
Excellent observation.
Saker, please what is your comment?
Amerika has another new front.
http://www.correntewire.com/thai_army_declares_martial_law
Sad
Crazy Ivan says…
Dear Readers. No offense please but I must admit that some of your remarks citing Far-Eastern sages (tsu, zen, lee, tse-tse, etc. platitudes) irked me a lot in the context of current events in Ukraine.
Especially the blog’s mantra – “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak”, repeated every second Saker’s post.
Why?
Because on one side there is armored hardware (albeit unexperienced staff) and on the other militia using old, from WW2, Diegtariev type of anti-tank guns (albeit experienced staff).
In real fight, what we see now is a circus, a military “show” for Sunday afternoon for families with kids, those Strelkov units would be wiped out in half a day.
Do not tell me about courage, bravery, skills, etc. of DPR defenders which counts much more. Few BTRs would make the dust from all the block-posts.
BTW. Why everyone want to ride main flat roads instead of using field paths and outmaneuvering the block-posts?
That’s why we see the pathetic stalemate in all military operations.
If Strelkov got his several thousand volunteers the image would be totally different. They would run over Karachun Mountain in an hour getting heavy artillery and seeing guardsmen running for their lives like hell. Then they would take into own control BTRs and tanks, choppers and command centers (watch youtube films). Having only few hundreds men scattered around few dozens block-posts they can only wait for what the Fate will bring.
Some say the military activities are to lure Russians to invasion. Why then the “stupid Ukies” gathered nearly all their mobile units in few concentration areas in Eastern Ukraine? To have all the toys destroyed in one Russian bombers sortie?
Something stinks in this picture.
Crazy Ivan says…
@ Michael McDonnell said…
20 May, 2014 02:30
> However, the opinion of Anonymous @ 02.02 is disturbing.
I don’t think so. He made only one error the images of the hanging guns on the walls come from peaceful times with long culture of having own gun.
In the times and circumstances found in Ukraine the weapon would be used for all sorts of atrocities and people being organized in fighting gangs.
I think the anonymous is a Texan guy and as a typical American has limited view on nearly every issue.
from amerika:
all support to the working men and women of donetsk and lugansk. all support to the people’s militia, the anti-fascists, to novorossia.
us / eu / nato out of ukraine!
freedom!
@ Crone MoA had some trouble a couple of weeks ago Think it was a hosting glitch not an attack on the site per se
The View has Strelkov’s appeal, along with some commentary. The 2nd part of the article is a description of the fighting over the weekend and other recent developments.
«Это все, на что вы способны?» (“It’s all what you can do?”)
http://www.vz.ru/world/2014/5/18/687251.html
Michael McDonnell said…20 May, 2014 02:30
“However, the opinion of Anonymous @ 02.02 is disturbing.”
Yes, it was. Especially when it used the phrase “and the horse he rode in on.”
:D
The bandera bum bandits are now advertising bounties on journalists.
На Украине назначили награды за головы журналистов Life News (Ukraine has appointed a reward for the head of the journalists Life News)
http://www.km.ru/world/2014/05/20/protivostoyanie-na-ukraine-2013-14/740331-na-ukraine-naznachili-nagrady-za-golovy-z
(via Yandex)
“Editor-Life News Anatoly Suleymanov in an interview with IRNA said that in Ukraine the head of the staff of the TV station awarded.
According to him, the Ukrainian authorities are ready to retaliate against journalists for their reporting on those killed by the national guard under the civil population and helicopters with symbols of the United Nations.
“Naturally, this is revenge. There are one hundred percent of the information that the heads of some of our employees in Ukraine assigned the amount of 10 thousand dollars, and now and 20 thousand,” Suleymanov said.
Glavred also commented on recent detention of the crew of the TV channel under Kramatorsk. According to Suleymanov, Oleg Sidyakin and Marat, Zaychenko started to follow after the material about zadejstvovany in “anti-terrorist” operations helicopters UN.
The Ukrainian employees of power structures detained Sidyakina, Sychenko on Sunday, may 18. The security Council of the country’s journalists have suspected in supporting terrorism, after which the Russians moved to Kiev for investigation.
The Russian foreign Ministry condemned the actions of the Ukrainian authorities and the Minister Sergei Lavrov has contacted the OSCE Chairman Didier Burkhalter and urged him to promote the speedy release of correspondents. Later, the organization demanded from Kiev immediately to release Sidyakina, Zaichenko.”
crone said…20 May, 2014 01:00
“MOA’s site appears to be down… Anyone here know anything about it?”
Typepad experienced a DDOS attack and they are working on it. See:
Today’s Outage
http://everything.typepad.com/blog/2014/05/todays-outage.html
Anonymous said…20 May, 2014 02:21
“I’m Russian and can tell you that his speech was at right time (close to May 25) and served it’s purpose. Do you really think he needs solders from Slaviansk ? Young guys from schools and factories? Think about what he said: we have enough arms, now we need army. The border is now open. So help, as I understand, will come from the same source as where arms came from and it will be professional missioners from Russia, but everyone will believe that someone else is fighting. Once they will start to win, regular people will join army.”
Interesting. I had not looked at it from that angle.
It appears Akhmetov has declared “war” on Donetsk-Lugansk and has dropped the mask and openly gone over to the fascists completely now. I guess the Jewish mafia (who probably arranged his success) called in his chips.
Ахметов призвал рабочих Донбасса бастовать против ДНР (Akhmetov called on the workers of Donbass to strike against the DND)
http://www.km.ru/world/2014/05/20/protivostoyanie-na-ukraine-2013-14/740339-akhmetov-prizval-rabochikh-donbassa-basto
(via Yandex)
“Ukrainian billionaire, owner of the country’s largest financial-industrial group System capital Management” Rinat Akhmetov called on all labour collectives of the South-East to exit 20 may in protest against the Donetsk national Republic. About it on may 20, informs “Interfax”.
“I call on all labour collectives to go on a warning protest at the place of work. In support of the world!”, – declared oligarch, simultaneously accusing supporters DND in the looting and pillage.
“We are not to intimidate, there is no stopping us. Anyone, including those who call themselves some of the Donetsk Republic. Anyone heard about it? Who knows the names of the leaders DND?”, he asked the richest people of Ukraine.
Akhmetov has suggested the workers to protest every day until then, “while the world will not install”.
According to the Agency, emergency statement oligarch was broadcasted by the TV channel “Ukraine”, interrupted for this airtime.
Last week the management DND demanded Akhmetov tax payments to the Republican Treasury. Representatives of SCM group to do it refused, saying that work exclusively within the Ukrainian laws. First oligarch said the new state formation, no one will recognize and attach DND to Russia allegedly is not advantageous neither Moscow, nor the Donbass.
on may 11, owned by Akhmetov holding “Metinvest” urged Kyiv authorities to “recognize fatal mistakes”, to withdraw its troops from South-Eastern provinces and to start a dialogue with advocates of federalization. Simultaneously, the popular Governor of Donbass Paul Gubarev said that oligarch tried to control militias South-East through bribery. According to the politician, kept by Akhmetov was two-thirds Pro-Russian activists. “A very small group of people remained faithful to the idea, but it still took the money,” said Gubarev, adding that this situation arose before his arrest in early March.
Earlier some media said that the militants attempted to storm occupied by supporters Gubareva the building of the Donetsk regional administration, were hired Akhmetov.”
What I gather from the Forbes article is the Anglo-Zionists are throwing Kolomoisky overboard while pressuring Russia to accept Poroshenko.
For all the truth in this piece they call Tyahnibok ‘dynamic’ and say only his party is mired in Bandera-Nazi accusations.
There is also a message for Akmetov, who is portrayed as defending himself against the ruthless aggression of Kolomoisky.
This could be a ruse to get Putin to co-operate with the election and accept Poroshenko or maybe both sides (Russia and the EU) are working towards this goal with an eye to isolating the Ziocons including their main man Kolomoisky. The story from Odessa gets uglier every day. Maybe someone has had enough.
Very inspiring message. I hope people respond accordingly. Perhaps if women start answering the call (which I suspect they will), then the men will be shamed into it. If the people of Donetsk are not willing to fight for their freedom, then I suppose the game is over. They can not expect Russia to intervene for them, esp if they are not willing to spill their own blood. Nor can they expect their ‘neighbour’ to answer the call if they themselves won’t.
I do hope this brave man survives.
I’m not the only one speculating that NATOs interest in Ukraine’s nuclear power plants is not because they are feeling altruistic.
Ukraine Crisis Goes Nuclear
http://landdestroyer.blogspot.com/2014/05/ukraine-crisis-goes-nuclear.html
“Reports allege that some 20 members from the armed Neo-Nazi front, Right Sector, attempted to storm the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, in Energodar city, Zaporizhia province. The Voice of Russia reported in an article titled, “Right Sector attempts to seize largest NPP in Ukraine,” that:
Policemen of the city of Energodar have detained 20 activists of the Right Sector, who tried to seize the Zaporozhye NPP. According to the leader of the Zaporozhye branch of the organization, the militants were afraid that the city would fall in the hands of supporters of federalization.
NATO’s “Nuclear Option”
The storming of Zaporizhia nuclear power plant by Neo-Nazis may appear to be an act of extreme irresponsibility carried out by witless, dangerous thugs, but the operation may have a much more sinister purpose.
Indeed, Ukraine is not a NATO member, and it is almost inconceivable under what circumstances NATO troops could enter Ukrainian territory – almost inconceivable. But a threat to one or more of Ukraine’s 15 nuclear reactors might give NATO the pretext necessary to deploy troops into Ukraine, particularly in the east where Kiev is unable to assert control. While NATO cannot justify intervening in Ukraine’s internal political crisis directly, it may attempt to make a case that a nuclear catastrophe directly threatens NATO members.
With this catastrophe in mind, NATO may believe that by provoking a security risk to Ukraine’s remaining reactors, particularly the facility in Zaporizhia – Europe’s largest – it can create enough fear and support for a possible intervention in Zaporizhia province, preventing anti-Kiev forces from peeling the region away from Kiev as they have in Donetsk, Luhansk, and Crimea.
Here’s an interesting Al Jazeera clip about the Right Sector training for involvment in eastern Ukraine:
http://bcove.me/d9cfpk6m
They don’t look very professional to me. But as a militia aiming to scare civilians they are probably enough.
When you consider the last news, I must conclude that Rusia is defeated. The West is too strong
@ olivegreen,
Q: Or they should “find” themselves and just go.
R: Russian men aged 16 to 60 entering Ukraine without their families will only be allowed in if they have close relatives or an invitation, according to Ukrainian officials.
“The restrictions concern physically fit men, who can influence the political situation in the country,” a Ukrainian border agency official told RIA news agency. “We are imposing these controls at all border posts.”
Dear Saker. Off-topic comment: there is a paradoxical factor driving the inevitable split of the “State of Ukraine” behind the scene. It’s a countrty’s Soveregin Debt. I tend to agree with anaylysis of Dr.Pryvalov, Scientific Editor of “EXPERT”- respecable Russian economic magazine. Here: http://expert.ru/expert/2014/21/ob-ukrainskih-dolgah/ I will do quick(& dirty) English translation and post it here for those who read in English only
Ion Silent
Fanon and Sorel seem to be very popular around here. But old milquetoasts like myself can identify with such reluctance to get into a fight.
Strelkov has everything to gain by emphasising his weakness. Look whom he’s up against. Catherine Ashton had an orgasm – “gosh” – when she heard her people had killed his civilians. The ICC has no problem with its ongoing nigger-lynching, breast-lopping, torturing and raping spree of destruction in Libya. Nazi Pillage thinks terrorism, cannibalism, gassing, rape and murder are basic human rights in Syria, which no decent government should ever prevent.
He’s not just trying to shame his fellow Ukrainians. He’s trying to shame us as well. The international system has degraded itself catastrophically on our watch. The norm of reciprocity no longer applies. What are we going to do about it?
BBC explains one reason why low interest…
“Rinat Akhmetov, whose fortune is estimated at more than $11bn (£6.5bn), is one of the most influential people in eastern Ukraine.
His enterprises are based in the Donbass – the industrial east of Ukraine – where the insurgency is at its peak. Mr Akhmetov’s employees number as many as 300,000, according to Reuters news agency.”
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27483719
Two very interesting news items:
1. China’s Xi described Putin’s visit as very fruitful, in quite a number of areas: http://en.itar-tass.com/world/732300
Eat your heart out, Obama!
2. Medvedev, while stressing “that Moscow was expecting certain commitments from those coming to the negotiating table, including a guarantee for non-interference in Ukraine’s internal affairs, a guarantee not to draw the crisis-torn country into NATO, and assurance that people in eastern Ukraine will not lose their right to use the Russian language” also says Russia is not obliged to guarantee Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140520/189963459/Medvedev-Says-Russia-Not-Obliged-to-Guarantee-Ukraines.html
Now, was he doing this on his own, or with Putin’s approval?
Long live the fighters
Mindfriedo
In Italy, the resistence against the Nazi started in september 1943.
The numbers of fighters is not known, the better estimates I have found are:
winter 1943-1944, about 3.800 fighters; 30 april 1944, 12.600; summer 1944, about 70.000; the 25 april 1945, 80.000.
These numbers are for a country of 45 millions of people, and only for the half part of it (the northern one).
I think NATO/EU wants that Russia ends up like Carthage
Crazy Ivan:
Something stinks in this picture.
Yes Ukraine Coup Government pretend to pay and feed Army, Army pretend to fight and send back crazy reports to Kiev talking about hundreds of separatists killed every night. Campaign now entering its final phase for what, the 5th time according to Turchinov? He is obviously delusional. Maybe he should come to Slavyansk and see what is really going on. Better keep his head low though if he does.
Only people willing to fight are crazy Maidan National Guard with three weeks training. They are given big toys and Strelkov Company professional soldiers periodically blows them up with anti-tank rockets when they get too close. They stay back. They love life more than they love Donbass in Ukraine.
Everybody waiting for someone else to make the first move. Army waiting for quasi-legitimate new government on May 25. Maybe someone not entirely crazy will get elected and whole farce will come to an end.
@Tom Burnett
Igor Strelkov’s real name is Igor Vsevolodovich Girkin, he is 43 and indeed a retired Colonel, only FSB, not GRU (he retired a year ago). This is confirmed by Strelkov himself, his second-in-command Sergey Zdrilyuk (“Abwehr”) (who is a retired SBU Lt. Colonel, military counter-intelligence) and people who know Strelkov personally. Strelkov served in the Directorate for International Terrorism Control (Russian: Управление по борьбе с международным терроризмом, в/ч 36391) of the 2nd Service of the FSB. His specialisation, incidentally, was anti-guerilla warfare. If you read Russian, here is a post with references:
http://darkolivegreen.livejournal.com/33388.html
(There does not seem to be a way to reply to a particular comment on here, which makes the whole thing somewhat pointless)
Hi Saker
We are waiting for your opinion
Anonymous 13:21 said…
I think NATO/EU wants that Russia ends up like Carthage
Yes…
Something more than these oneliners mr. Anonymous or Trol?
Feng
Re: “Not totally off topic. *Another* coup appears to be in the works. This one in Libya, with a CIA operative leading the coup.”
The WaPo has a p.1 headline today: “Leader of Libya revolt spent years in N. Va.”, with a picture caption adding “… Hiftar resided … in a quiet neighborhood in Vienna [Va.}, near the golf course of the Westwood Country Club. Apparently a U.S. citizen, he voted in 2008 and 2009.”
Those familiar with the area know it has an unnamed Other Government Agency written all over it.