2014 Ukrainian Maidan Revolt: News, Views, Photos & Videos

So the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine has begun. Wonderful. I guess the Baltics are next, whether it's in the next few years, later this decade, etc.

The footage of how Slaviansk http://www.sinodefenceforum.com/mem...s-views-photos-videos-61-6796.html#post277568
is being prepared for the defense; go to

and click on the play button (you'll make it even if you don't speak Russian
It comes from the Russian TV, so they say the Militiamen are veterans

EDIT
You can see them best since 01:12

NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe has released a series of commercial satellite images showing a massive Russian build up along Ukraine's borders, and defends the images as being accurate contrary to Russian claims that the images displayed were from August 2013, and that they depict an exercise conducted at that time:



Some of the images involved:
An empty site near Belgorod before current military buildup - 7 March 2014:



Same site, a few weeks later showing a Mechanized Infantry Brigade/Motorized Rifle Regiment camped out:


An empty site near Novocherkassk before military buildup - 13 May 2013:


Same site, showing a Mechanized Infantry Brigade/Motorized Rifle Regiment camped out on 27 March 2014:

AssassinsMace said:

It's just like Russia releasing its own espionage recordings. The difference is Russia isn't claiming they don't do it.

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Where because I haven't seen Mr Putin or Lavrov speaking about that. Many Russians indeed know how to read between propaganda lines and laugh at that because of years of 'experience'...

For me those who thought that some countries don't do that are pretty... ignorant, that would be the right word.

Pro-Ukraine supporters have been protesting in eastern Ukraine as well. The response? Pro-Russians attacked them. Apparently the only "democracy" allowed as far as they are concerned is pro-Russian politics. Presumably they are making lists of names for after Russia annexes yet more territory.

Equation said:

No I doubt it that these are militias, they're behavior in holding security (360 degrees) and glancing back and being aware of their buddies in their units seems too professionally done. Even at a take over or revolt in certain specific government buildings in eastern Ukraine speaks volume about the strategy and the importance of that particular place due to importance of strategical advantage any army would try to do during a war or conflict. It't not the government building that's importance but rather the terrain, highways, river ways, check points, communications, and data gathering that's behind it that's important. Yes IMO these are FO (forward observers) disguise as militias going on a recon mission.

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I think there is little doubt that many of these guys are trained and may be serving or recently serving personnel. Jura,s link and the mainstream media of both sides fully accept that the armed protesters are a mix of ordinary citizens, and defected military/police units. There are plenty of pictures of former Birkat forces, still in uniform, joining the forces inside the Donetsk government buildings. It is also no coincidence that many of the facilities stormed earlier this week held significant arsenals of automatic weapons and ammunition.
I am however pretty confident that we are not seeing the deployment of regular units of the Russian Federation.

I do suspect that many people underestimate the level of organisation that the rebels have. They seem to be run by representatives from civil government, local security forces and the Industrial Trade Unions and other civil groups. While I am also sure that critical elements of support and intelligence are coming from Russia, most of the running is being done by the locals themselves.









The revolt certainly seems in full steam and spreading across an ever wider area of the Russian speaking parts with news of new clashes and occupations in Kharkov.

It is however pretty clear that this is not the automatic prelude to a Russian invasion but rapid changing of the facts on the ground prior to the talks in Geneva scheduled for Thursday.
Lavrov seems to be making no secret of it.


"Try and stop what is happening and we will cancel" That is pretty hardball and the clear inference, that it is in the interest of Kiev and their backers to start talks sooner, rather than later, or risk losing any real leverage for talks as the revolt passes tipping point and threatens to engulf the whole Ukraine and not just the East.

Why is it that these pro-Russian thugs are unable to take their grievances to the ballot-box? If they think they command majority support, they can elect pro-Russian politicians in the upcoming elections, as well as pro-Russian local councils in the next local elections. That would give them much more legitimacy to demand some sort of referendum on political change.

Resorting to violence so soon before the elections only suggests that they know they're going to lose the argument and the vote, especially after the annexation of Crimea has annoyed a lot of Ukrainians that are otherwise willing to listen to Russia's POV. They hope to cause enough trouble to give cover for Russia to invade, after which presumably they expect to hold Russian-style elections that are neither free nor fair.

One tactical problem: even if the Ukrainian government sent troops, what should they do in situations like this:

?? (in Slavyansk today, the picture comes from gazeta.ru, so it's not some Ukrainian propaganda) I mean what if somebody starts shooting from behind these ladies (who hold icons), above their heads -- he could do it from the top of that barricade of tires -- and takes cover.

Mr T said:

Why is it that these pro-Russian thugs are unable to take their grievances to the ballot-box? If they think they command majority support, they can elect pro-Russian politicians in the upcoming elections, as well as pro-Russian local councils in the next local elections. That would give them much more legitimacy to demand some sort of referendum on political change.

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Pro Russian parties would argue that since the Keiv protesters did not do let Yanokovich serve out his term, and then vote him out. Then they would have the same right to do as they please now.

Resorting to violence so soon before the elections only suggests that they know they're going to lose the argument and the vote, especially after the annexation of Crimea has annoyed a lot of Ukrainians that are otherwise willing to listen to Russia's POV. They hope to cause enough trouble to give cover for Russia to invade, after which presumably they expect to hold Russian-style elections that are neither free nor fair.

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the aim is to divide and conquer. Every action is designed to delegitimize the Kiev government. These seizures are meant to show that it has no ability or control, its to fragment and break down Ukraine in order to allow the eastern and southern states to feel that the safety of Mother Russia is what is needed. The number of troops the Russians have deployed is still below what many feel is the number needed to invade the total of Ukraine proper. But it is enough I think to establish a buffer zone between defected states and Russian territories.

Big open field for air drop resupply. The units are close to nearby roads and highways for easier access to the logistic units such as fuel and ammo. No snow, therefore the ground it not as wet and dry enough for track vehicles to drive without any problem. There's little vegetation for camouflage coverage. Somewhere out there is a battery of air defense units and radar system in hiding. What puzzles me about these photos is that I don't see any tracks on the field, meaning there weren't any or extensive exercise or drills that the Russian had been claiming ever since.