Russia declares war on Ukraine. Live updates from inside Ukraine

The takeover of Debaltseve by separatists in the previous days meant they also captured a regional railway junction:

hromadske.tv...

The pro-Russian activists occupied the Donbas railway junction of regional importance - Debaltseve city. This is reported by Ukrainian news agency.

After Debaltseve are most potyahivpivdenno-east. Also in the city - the two largest thermal power plant - Vuglegirska and Myronivska.

According to reports, armed men seized the city council.

Also, things in E Ukraine are very quiet today, almost too quiet, no reports coming out of the area. Not sure what to make of it...

***Flashback Tuesday***


Ukraine’s Ultranationalists Show Surprising Strength at Polls

KIEV, Ukraine — The last time Oleg Tyagnibok was a member of Ukraine’s Parliament, his colleagues kicked him out over a fiery speech in which he described how Ukrainians, during World War II, bravely fought Muscovites, Germans, Jews “and other scum,” and then used slurs to refer to the “Jewish-Russian mafia, which rules in Ukraine.”

Eight years later, Mr. Tyagnibok is preparing to return to Parliament, not as a lone member of a broader coalition, as he was when he was ejected, but as the leader of Svoboda, the ultranationalist, right-wing party that will control 38 of 450 seats, or about 8.5 percent of the national legislature.
Svoboda’s surprising show of strength in the Oct. 29 election — polls had predicted that the party would fail to meet the 5 percent threshold to enter Parliament — has stirred alarm, including warnings from Israel about the rise of anti-Semitism and xenophobia in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic and a place with a firsthand knowledge of ethnic violence and genocide.

But in an interview in the downtown office building that Svoboda shares with an insurance company and a dental clinic named Smile, Mr. Tyagnibok said that fear of his party was misplaced and the accusations of racism and extremism unfounded.

“Svoboda is not an anti-Semitic party,” he said, seated behind a desk, a sport jacket stretched by his barrel-sized chest, his huge hands folded in front of him, speaking slowly and firmly in Ukrainian. “Svoboda is not a xenophobic party. Svoboda is not an anti-Russian party. Svoboda is not an anti-European party. Svoboda is simply and only a pro-Ukrainian party. And that’s it.”

Of course, that was not it.

click link for rest of article.

originally posted by: dragonridr

originally posted by: Agent_USA_Supporter
a reply to: dragonridr

NATO has being claiming that Russia would attack Europe since the end of 1949 and the end of World War yet whenever NATO Expands further on Russia's soil thats fine right?

Again false narative Russia was taken off NATOs agenda in fact they were a partner until recently they were allowed to even participate in NATO activities. Again you appear to be attempting to re write history. You do know that Russia had offices in NATO until ther were expelled over Ukraine dont you?

Really a partner ? Why weren't they allowed to participate in they Defense Shield then ? Oh that's right it was put there to threaten their Russian Partners. With friends like that who needs enemies. That is what this whole mess is about, isn't it.Tell the truth!It has got nothing to do, with any of the crap that is being said here.So who is trying to rewrite history then ? At least you are talking the truth about a false narrative!

originally posted by: SurrenderingAmerica
***Flashback Tuesday***


Ukraine’s Ultranationalists Show Surprising Strength at Polls

KIEV, Ukraine — The last time Oleg Tyagnibok was a member of Ukraine’s Parliament, his colleagues kicked him out over a fiery speech in which he described how Ukrainians, during World War II, bravely fought Muscovites, Germans, Jews “and other scum,” and then used slurs to refer to the “Jewish-Russian mafia, which rules in Ukraine.”

Eight years later, Mr. Tyagnibok is preparing to return to Parliament, not as a lone member of a broader coalition, as he was when he was ejected, but as the leader of Svoboda, the ultranationalist, right-wing party that will control 38 of 450 seats, or about 8.5 percent of the national legislature.
Svoboda’s surprising show of strength in the Oct. 29 election — polls had predicted that the party would fail to meet the 5 percent threshold to enter Parliament — has stirred alarm, including warnings from Israel about the rise of anti-Semitism and xenophobia in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic and a place with a firsthand knowledge of ethnic violence and genocide.

But in an interview in the downtown office building that Svoboda shares with an insurance company and a dental clinic named Smile, Mr. Tyagnibok said that fear of his party was misplaced and the accusations of racism and extremism unfounded.

“Svoboda is not an anti-Semitic party,” he said, seated behind a desk, a sport jacket stretched by his barrel-sized chest, his huge hands folded in front of him, speaking slowly and firmly in Ukrainian. “Svoboda is not a xenophobic party. Svoboda is not an anti-Russian party. Svoboda is not an anti-European party. Svoboda is simply and only a pro-Ukrainian party. And that’s it.”

Of course, that was not it.

click link for rest of article.

Yes, I have read it before.

Only problem is that it is from 2012 when they first gained some numbers in the polls (they were already in the Rada under Yanukovych).

The poll I posted was the presidential one taken within the past few days in response to your calling the Right Sector candidate a 'hopeful' when he is clearly not in contention.

And by the way, an overwhelming majority of Ukrainians are 'ethnically' Russian either in part or whole.

a reply to: ALoveSupreme

That wasn't in response to your poll lol.


Was posted up to serve as a reminder of how Western media was portraying these Right Sector elements BEFORE they called upon their support. . . Funny how Western media ideals change.





New subs, warships, SAMs, troops to be deployed in Crimea

The Russian Defense Ministry is planning to deploy additional forces in Crimea as part of beefing up the Black Sea fleet under a $2.5 billion program. The need for new deployment emerged after the formerly Ukrainian peninsula joined Russia.

a reply to: SurrenderingAmerica

What about the Jews in Crimea? Are they embracing the Cossaks annd Chechniyans as liberators?

And Asen is still missing in action.

Apparently, among the 5 separatist killed yesterday in Sloviansk 2 were group commanders, as declared by separatist comander Igor Girkin, Strelok, to the Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda:
hromadske.tv...

Based on the results of yesterday's fighting under Slavic, were killed 5 pro fighters , two of whom were commanders of groups. 13 separatists were injured. It was in his Twitter told reporters the Russian newspaper " Komsomolskaya Pravda " Alexander Kotz , citing Russian saboteur Hirkina ( call - Stryelok ).

' Strelkov just us, my losses yesterday - five killed , 13 wounded. My 800 was not there , only about 50. Of the five victims - two commanders of groups, some of the most experienced and battle '- written by a journalist.

Kotz is with the separatists , known as ' militias ' , and the actions of the Ukrainian army , using the terminology of the Russian government , says ' punitive action ', as is evident from the titration video.

originally posted by: Matt1951
And Asen is still missing in action.

Well he's not given an update here lately, but I just checked his profile and it shows his last log in as 5/5/14, so he's been on lately. With all the nonsense going on in this thread, I don't really blame him for not leaving a comment to be honest.

I think we tend to forget that for him this thread may also be a source of info and to litter it with too much personal opinion, finger pointing and attempts at insult is rude, not to mention disrespectful, for a man who started this thread for our benefit and now is watching as his country is torn arpart at the seams. (This was not directed towards you, Matt1951)

Now, back to lurking mode.

Saw ALoveSupreme already pointed out the 2012 date

Firefights seem to be going on in the center of Sloviansk:

Pierre Crom @PierreCrom
Shooting in center #sloviansk Street empty in seconds #ukraine

C.J. Chivers @cjchivers
Gunfire in center of Slovyansk, near SBU building. People fleeing. #ukraine

a reply to: MyMindIsMyOwn

Well if he is lurking, he could just post a hello, as there have been quite a few members here sincerely worried about his condition.

a reply to: 13th Zodiac

Really a partner ? Why weren't they allowed to participate in they Defense Shield then ? Oh that's right it was put there to threaten their Russian Partners. With friends like that who needs enemies.

Actually it wasn't...

The Russian Foreign Ministry has continually insisted on legally binding guarantees that US missile defenses are not aimed at it and that would allow Russia access to sensitive aspects of the system. Russia has also threatened to deploy a range of countermeasures against NATO’s missile defenses, including tactical nuclear missile deployment in Kaliningrad and improvements to its strategic nuclear missile arsenal to make it capable of evading missile defense. Whether EPAA is aimed at Russia or technically capable of even potentially intercepting Russian missiles, however, are very different considerations. But the Russians seem to ignore that simple truth that the technology is limited by physics and engineering, not political considerations.

breakingdefense.com...

But hey what does the truth matter when it comes to Russia as they are the ones everybody picks on.

And now for some Tuesday Humor, A mans gotta defend his kingdom right



I think we found one of those OCSE hostages...

originally posted by: tsurfer2000h
a reply to: 13th Zodiac

Really a partner ? Why weren't they allowed to participate in they Defense Shield then ? Oh that's right it was put there to threaten their Russian Partners. With friends like that who needs enemies.

Actually it wasn't...

The Russian Foreign Ministry has continually insisted on legally binding guarantees that US missile defenses are not aimed at it and that would allow Russia access to sensitive aspects of the system. Russia has also threatened to deploy a range of countermeasures against NATO’s missile defenses, including tactical nuclear missile deployment in Kaliningrad and improvements to its strategic nuclear missile arsenal to make it capable of evading missile defense. Whether EPAA is aimed at Russia or technically capable of even potentially intercepting Russian missiles, however, are very different considerations. But the Russians seem to ignore that simple truth that the technology is limited by physics and engineering, not political considerations.

breakingdefense.com...

But hey what does the truth matter when it comes to Russia as they are the ones everybody picks on.

Russia would be foolish to rely on west regarding assurances and even guarantees given on missile defense topics. It should immediately invest more into upgrading missile capabilities and making sure that its nuclear deterrent is not blunted out.

West has been very persistent in its efforts towards its post cold war objectives which are very hostile to Russia.

Kremlin's position should be no backing down in Ukraine or near abroad and no loose points on missiles and BMD placement near to Russian borders.

Pre-emptive strikes should be conducted if need be to get the message through.

a reply to: 13th Zodiac


They were Putin backed out of the joint task force. voiceofrussia.com...

But this whole paranoia on a defense system which consists of two radar stations and missile interceptors by Russia was always funny. Russias argument has always been if these systems are installed we wont be able to blow up Europe. Think about that for a minute never mind the fact all the while it bolstered its missile defense systems. But even when it was cancelled poland see it as there right and has continued building it.

www.defensenews.com...

And now do to Ukraine has decided to do this.

rt.com...

All this shield would have done was to bring these systems of all these independent countries able to work in tandem making the system work better. Nothing NATO did was going to prevent them from being built Poland was screaming for it the minute they joined NATO.Russia has always attempted to deny Poland there right to have a missile system for fear they would loose the ability to nuke people really???? You dont think that attitude in itself says something about Russia????

So what is Russia's true objection i ask the shield tkes away there threat to there neighbors which in reality it didnt . Not to mention Russian missiles werent considered the threat most of there systems are still outdated and ive seen estimates they will have as high as 40 percent failure rate. See Russia went from maintenance that used to be done every 6 months to 18 months do to issues with money. Alot of there warheads are way overdue for overhauls as well because nukes are nasty there systems deteriorate quickly do to radiation In the US cores get changed out on maintenance schedules this doesnt happen in Russia since the soviet collapse. There missile systems also have a huge failure rate evidenced by the failed testings they have had in ICBM launch systems since 2008.

The Maidan Self Defense force has been disbanded, according to its former leader Andrey Parubyi:

zn.ua...

Order disbanding hundred head Self gave Maidana Andrew Paruby . Anyone who wants to defend the country , go to the army or Natsgvardiyu .

Self Maidana reformat battalions , said the commander of the newly created territorial defense battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Taras bearded .

According to the military , after activists Self will act in the ranks of the National Guard, the special units of the MIA and military battalions of the Territorial Defence . Also create reserve units , which would be coordinated Self staffs in each regional center and will be united by a single central headquarters.

" In the context of military aggression , such structures as " hundreds "are no longer operational. We quantity, staffing no longer coincides with the military structures , very difficult for us to join them . Therefore, it is now very important. Indeed , when we have infuse , have to reformat them , "- explained Bearded changes in self-defense.

The ranks of the new units will only accept those who are in one time or another been in the ranks of self-defense, explained the military. The main tasks of associations - the protection of the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine .

Also military said in Odessa regional administration building local guards battalion " Kyiv -1" , where activists are just self-defense.

Reformatting the last 10 days. According to the orders of the head of Andrei Self Parubiya , all who do not comply will not be more irrelevant to self-defense.

Bearded man said that during the revolution were barricades on the Maidan . " Now our barricades in the east. We stand on the barricades . Our guys in the Armed Forces , National Guard battalion . Stand today on the barricades where necessary to protect Ukraine. Those nudyatsya here on the Maidan, it would be better not shout ," Give us arms we will go to war . " When they found a mechanism how to give weapons wishing appears every day less. they feel comfortable to live here on the barricades in the rear ," - he said.

On the Independence will maydanovtsev formed from the 11th Battalion of the territorial defense of Kiev . Homebase is Ukrainian House .

This is going to end up hurting the russian story alot western media is now picking up on the Russian report on Crimea.

Putin Accidentally Posts Real Crimean Election Results; Only 15% Voted For Annexation
Comment Now Follow Comments
The website of the “President of Russia’s Council on Civil Society and Human Rights” posted a blog that was quickly taken down as if it were toxic radioactive waste. According to the Council’s report about the March referendum to annex Crimea, the turnout was a maximum 30%. And of these, only half voted for annexation – meaning only 15 percent of Crimean citizens voted for annexation.

The fate of Crimea, therefore, was decided by the 15 percent of Crimeans, who voted in favor of unification with Russia (under the watchful eye of Kalashnikov-toting soldiers).


The official Crimean election results, as reported widely in the Western press, showed a 97 percent vote in favor of annexation with a turnout of 83 percent. No international observers were allowed. This pro-Russia election pressure would have raised the already weak vote in favor of annexation.

To make sure no one misses this:

Official Kremlin results: 97% for annexation, turnout 83 percent, and percent of Crimeans voting in favor 82%.

President’s Human Rights Council results: 50% for annexation, turnout 30%, percent of Crimeans voting in favor 15%.

www.forbes.com... for-annexation/

How Putin Is Reinventing Warfare
Posted by BMT Editor in Russia


The Kremlin, according to Barack Obama, is stuck in the "old ways," trapped in Cold War or even 19th century mindsets. But look closer at the Kremlin's actions during the crisis in Ukraine and you begin to see a very 21st century mentality, manipulating transnational financial interconnections, spinning global media, and reconfiguring geo-political alliances. Could it be that the West is the one caught up in the "old ways," while the Kremlin is the geopolitical avant-garde, informed by a dark, subversive reading of globalization?

www.foreignpolicy.com...