Ukraine mega thread

Reading the news, intelligence reports are stating embedded with the troops are a good number of medical personnel and roaming military hospitals. Why would they need those?

To help all the Russian speaking people in eastern Ukraine who sprain their ankles.
/sarc

The Russian view of the situation, including how they see sanctions impacting them:

The Ukraine Crisis and Vladimir Putin: A New Financial System Free from Wall Street and the City of London? | Global Research (http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-ukraine-crisis-and-vladimir-putin-a-new-financial-system-free-from-wall-street-and-the-city-of-london/5374785)

found it a pretty interesting read. Parts of it might convert NC_Skins!Is this a joke article? It sounds straight out of a North Korea declaration.

"And it is Putin, the first leader who resisted and defeated the strategy of world domination, who is enjoying the enthusiastic support of his people and the growing admiration of the world. The well financed media and politicians do not want to hear this, but this is the reality. Without exaggeration, one can compare this resistance to that against Napoleon and Hitler…"

Yes, nothing says "resisting against Napoleon and Hitler" like invading and annexing your neighbors. Wait a minute....

according to the text this is video of a Ukraine fighter, then a few seconds later a Russian ground attack plane, flying over ground near Kramatorsk - Eastern region near Donetsk.

Ukrainian SU-37 fighter flies over Kramatorsk,... | Yahoo News (http://yahoonews.tumblr.com/post/82825254431/ukrainian-su-37-fighter-flies-over-kramatorsk)

the ukraine situation is getting real, real fast.

it has been very interesting to follow this situation. there is a ukraine forum on topix.com which gives you unique insight to what is happening on the ground and what some people think. the russian message board (not surprisingly) has very little voiced dissent and it seems like ppl are smart enough to not air any negative opinions of the kremlin.

Leaflets warn Ukrainian Jews to register, or face deportation | WTVR.com (http://wtvr.com/2014/04/17/leaflets-warn-ukrainian-jews-to-register-or-face-deportation/)

Wow. Im sure this has peaked Isreal's interest.

I really don't know if I am just over thinking this, or the administration is just ignorant of Russian beliefs and intentions. Quick news came out yesterday that the sides had reached an agreement in Geneva, and from the administration's statements, you would think that Russia finally agreed to something, but here are the 5 main points (from a guardian article (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/17/ukraine-crisis-agreement-us-russia-eu)):

The deal has five main points:

• All sides refrain from violence, and reject expressions "of extremism, racism and religious intolerance, including antisemitism".

• All illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings must be returned; all illegally occupied streets and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated.

• Amnesty will be granted to protesters and to those who have left buildings and other public places and surrendered weapons, with the exception of those found guilty of capital crimes.

• The OSCE would play a leading role in helping the authorities implement the agreement.

• Constitutional reform would be inclusive, transparent and accountable.

But looking at the points in order:
1) Russia has already stated that it believes that the Ukrainian interim government is the one failing to "refrain from violence, and reject expressions "of extremism, racism and religious intolerance, including antisemitism"". And if the Ukrainian government were to use force to put down Russian protesters, Russia could point to this bullet point and say Kiev is at fault

2) Again, Russia believes the former president who was ousted is the rightful president of Ukraine, and that the current occupiers of Kiev would also be included as "All illegal armed groups must be disarmed; all illegally seized buildings must be returned; all illegally occupied streets and other public places in Ukrainian cities and towns must be vacated." In other words, Russia could use this part to overturn the actions of February, or at least justification for it.

3) Who decides who is guilty of capital crimes? Would the February actions be considered treason and thus capital crimes in Russia's view. I would say yes.

4) The OSCE will play a leading role, this again gives cover for Russian military action. Sure OSCE might fight it, but again, Russia and Putin specifically is speaking to Russian citizens, he already has shown he doesn't care what the West thinks of his actions.

5) the Soviet constitution was all those things, but the words were meaningless.


Maybe Putin actually means it the same way the West understands it, but I highly doubt it.

Actually, Russia is already saying what I just posted:

Ukranian Newspaper article (http://tsn.ua/politika/rosiya-vimagaye-vid-ukrayini-rozzbroyiti-praviy-sektor-346124.html)

it's in Ukranian, atleast in Chrome you can use google translate to come up with this:

Russia calls on Kyiv disarm "Right sector" referring to an agreement in Geneva during the quadripartite talks. This was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. The department clarified that this meant as agreed with the EU diplomats, the U.S. and Ukraine on the need to disarming the militias. "Obviously, when we talk about disarmament, it, first of all, the removal of weapons in" the right sector "and other fascist groups who participated in the February revolution in Kiev. Same Square proponents must first release the captured their public institutions and other facilities in the capital and western regions, "- said in a statement the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Більше читайте тут: Ukrainian Article (http://tsn.ua/politika/rosiya-vimagaye-vid-ukrayini-rozzbroyiti-praviy-sektor-346124.html)

The funny thing about this situation is Putin could end the instability in Ukraine pretty easily if he truly wanted to. He is just gettin off now and I really think his is measuring more the Europeans than the us. He has his eye on the prize and think he has a lot of wheels in motion not only Ukraine but other ex soviet states. He may feel comfortable enough with his economy to go for it, but he is certainly monitoring the internal pressure upon the Russian economy to see if it could handle more stress.

Also think Putin knows he has a window with Obama but he might not get the same advantage with a republican in the White House.

Pretty unnerving story of a city's mayor disappearing. http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/04/20/world/europe/pro-russian-forces-work-on-consolidating-power.html?_r=0&referrer=

Putin's plan | European Council on Foreign Relations (http://ecfr.eu/content/entry/commentary_putins_plan249)

very well written and probably dead on as to what Putin is trying to accomplish, and what he is willing to do to get there.