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| A 2S19 Msta, a 152mm howitzer with a maximum firing range of 29-36 kilometers |
From The Interpreter (Day 183 LiveBlog):
This weapon was reportedly photographed near Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, headed toward Russian Donetsk (map), the location of the Izvarino border crossing. The separatists have never acquired this weapon, to our knowledge, so if this shows up in Ukraine it will be a clear indication that Russia sent it there. It will also be a significantly dangerous addition to the separatist arsenal.
Also, something else of note that has been noticed with regards to how Russia operates:
The pattern has always been that Russia escalates its interference in Ukraine at the same time that it elevates its diplomatic overtures. If the leaders of Russia and Ukraine are scheduled to meet on August 26th, it is likely going to be a very dangerous 7 days.
Ukraine is not falling apart, Andrei, she is being attacked. By Russia. It's so obvious that it's difficult for me to keep responding to your comments. It's like you live in a completely different reality.
ReplyDeleteUkraine is not falling apart, Andrei
ReplyDeleteAs we speak Ukraine is shelling and bombing Donetsk (pop 1 million) and Lugansk (pop 500,000) thus destroying its most prosperous industrial region.
750,000 people have fled to Russia
It cannot pay the interest on its debt and it has lost its most lucrative export markets
The gas it needs to function has been cut off due to non payment
and the coal mines that supply its power stations are barely operating as the miners are being slaughtered and the infrastructure being destroyed by the Ukrainian army
The winter is coming
This is a Nation committing suicide
The architects of this misery need Russia to invade and Russia thus far has refused to take the bait.
If Russia really has invaded the Donbas how does wrecking the infrastructure eg the water, sewerage, and power supplies of cities, killing grannies and children, destroying peoples homes, schools and churches etc help dislodge them?
ReplyDeleteIf Russia really wanted to annex Ukraine it would have happened months ago, probably in March, and the maneuver would have been to secure the land to Dnieper River which would have taken less than a week and nobody could have stopped them.
The purpose of the mass murder in the Donbas is to outrage Russian citizens. many of whom have relatives living there so as to force Putin to act
Truely
War tends to be indiscriminate. Just look at what happened in Gaza.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad Lucia that after a decade you and I find ourselves divided over this but in a way that is because those who would create conflict find ways of dividing people of good will
ReplyDeleteBut you know the reason why there is no real Polish presence in Volhynia and Eastern Galicia today is because of the rabid Ukrainian nationalists during WW2 of fought under Stephan Bandera - it was decided rightly or wrongly 70 years ago to add this area to Ukraine and to compensate Poland with land taken from Germany - Poland actually ended up bigger and German property was given to Poles who moved to these new lands
The grandsons of those who ethnically cleansed Volhynia and Eastern Galicia during WW2 are doing just the same today in the Donbas to Russians, under the same banners and slogans.
Check out the Azov Battalion - even the BBC acknowledges what they are but check it for your self without me giving you any links so you can decide for yourself.
What is happening in the Donbas is horrific - I could post images and videos that would make you weep
Ukraine could have developed as a sovereign Nation but outside interference (not Russian) and poor governance has wrecked that possibility
The borders of that part of Europe will sooner or later be redrawn, its just a matter of how much blood will be spilled in the process but it is inevitable it will happen