via Russia Times.
I'm not sure anymore.
This is turning into a full fledged conventional fight. We're seeing combined arms being used by both sides.....
Israel/Hamas is a side show. I still marvel that its getting more airtime in the US than these battles in Ukraine.
Ukraine is the place where history is being made and I'll say it again....No one is paying attention.
A heavy firefight is underway in a section of the city of Donetsk, with cannonade heard downtown. Self-defense reports of pro-Kiev armored vehicles and infantry trying to cut through defenses next to the central railway terminal.Hybrid warfare?
Ukrainian troops equipped with tanks and armored vehicles are making an attempt to break into Donetsk, a city of approximately 950,000 people, an official of the rebels' self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Sergey Kavtaradze, informed Reuters.
The fighting is ongoing in several spots simultaneously. The heaviest fire is heard near the Donetsk Airport, currently held by pro-Kiev forces and next to the main railway station, which suffered an airstrike this morning.
Minister of Defense of People’s Republic of Donetsk Igor Strelkov has informed Novorossiya news agency that units of Ukrainian army launched attacks against communities of Avdeevka, Peski, Karlovka and Netailovo.
“The advancing tanks and motorized infantry on APCs are supported by artillery, howitzers and multiple launch rocket systems. We’re fighting a battle,” Strelkov said.
I'm not sure anymore.
This is turning into a full fledged conventional fight. We're seeing combined arms being used by both sides.....
Israel/Hamas is a side show. I still marvel that its getting more airtime in the US than these battles in Ukraine.
Ukraine is the place where history is being made and I'll say it again....No one is paying attention.
I read today an very interesting analyse of integral state of both separatist quasi gov's. I put that thru translate and try to fix some error... it will not be perfect.
ReplyDelete"People's Republic" in the Donbas is more like a fief of Russia, than a standalone region. Russian nationalists move away from the power the local "elites". Especially in Donetsk, where hardly anyone noticed the emergence of Vladimir Antiufiejewa - a specialist of the "frozen conflicts". Who today is governed in the separatist area?
Ukrainian offensive and loss of Sloviansk shake the separatist Noworosją. The spectrum of defeat accelerated action of Russia. Not only it sends more weapons and volunteers to the Donbass, but also experienced professionals, veterans of Transnistria or Abkhazia.
Still, it is difficult to speak of a single political leadership and the military headquarters of the rebellion. In Lugansk and Donetsk are various, often at odds with each other separatist groups. On the Personal circuit overlap ideological differences. Much more to say than a FSB have GRU generals than civilians nationalists than Vladimir Putin promote. Added to this is a game of Russian oligarchs - after all industrialized Donbas is plane of hundreds of factories, companies and great business opportunities.
"White-Red" Noworosja
Often seen as a unity, "the peoples republic's" are different and this considerably. Although in both the Russian nation dominates, while in two varieties. Lugansk is rather "red", Donetsk more "white". Separatists from Lugansk are leftist, Soviet. Those of Donetsk monarchist. The authorities of the People's Republic of Luganosk are more centralized, in Donetsk Republic have the most to say independent commanders. In Donetsk reign supreme already arrived from Russia Russian citizens. In Lugansk still have a lot to say to the local pro-Russian separatists, though, and here he began to have "landing from Moscow."
What kind of military force have separatists? The self-proclaimed "People's Governor Donbass" Paul Gubariow claims that the rebels have a total of about 20 thousand. "soldiers". Military sources say Ukrainian approximately 7 thousand. Experts also differ in their assessments (7-15 thous.). However, you can assume that the number closest to the truth would be around 10-12 thousand. armed separatists, with high combat value may make the top 3 thousand. Among the most experienced should be approximately 1 thousand. Striełkow people who are pierced with him to Donetsk from Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
Donetsk Peoples Republic actually, it is limited to Donetsk and surrounding areas and the area of Gorłówki. In this first ruled by the commander of Igor Grikin (Striełkow) ps. Striełok, the second commander of Igor Bezler ps. Bies. Both work together, although Striełkow certainly not forgotten that "Bies" did not come to his aid in the defense of Sloviansk. "Civilian" DRL authorities to "prime" the head of Alexander Borodajem still pooled in Donetsk. Vostok battalion stationed nearby, the commander Aleksandr Chodakowski is in conflict with Striełkow.
Until the beginning of July in the capital ruled the "moderates" separatists, and brute force directed tandem structures Zacharczenko-Chodakowski. Commander of the war was the commander of the local structures of the paramilitary formation "Opłot" Aleksandr Zacharczenko. His men protected the Donetsk city council, and he has in a business relationship with the local elite. Zacharczenko is an ally of the former commander of the Donetsk Alfa (spetsnaz SBU), Alexander Chodakowski, which is officially the head of the Security Service of DRL, and also command the Vostok battalion. He also has good relations with Akhmetov. His people, along with members of the Zacharczenki "Opłot", did not let supporters DRL radicals into the residence oligarch (May 25).
Sorry need to post it in parts, web limitation.
DeleteThe symbiosis of local elites (Donetsk mayor Oleksandr Lukyanchenko is a Akhmetov man), and insufficient radicalism Zacharczenki and Chodakowski caused continuous clashes with the more radical, directly related to Russia and the GRU Striełkow and Bezlerem. The first open clash "moderate" to "Russians" took place July 1-2, when people of Bezler appeared in Donetsk and occupied part of the offices of the local office of internal affairs (at its head is still general militia Konstantin Pożidajew, close to Achmetowowi). Building was recaptured quickly by people from "Opłot" and "Wostoku" bezlerowcy fled the city. Then "premier" of DRL Aleksandr Boroda supported the action Zacharczenki and Chodakowski.
But a few days later in to Donetsk entered about one thousand people displaced from Sloviansk under command of Igor Girkin (Striełkow). "Striełok" he set actual dictatorship, taking the title of commander of the war the city Zacharczence. As before in Sloviansk, when he arrested "people's mayor" Vladimir Ponomariov.
Chodakowski with Vostok battalion retreated to the nearby Makiejewki, not wanting to recognize the sovereignty ofStriełkow. He did not want to challenge the newcomer, because I do not enjoy too much popularity of Donetsk rebels. The only larger military operation that has taken was attempt to capture Donetsk Airport a few weeks ago, ended in defeat and heavy losses. Also try to capture borderguards point Marinowka and that also ended with defeat of separatists. Many of his men escaped to Russia. Chodakowski can not compare to the Striełkow, whom the Russian media have already built a legend of a war hero. Anyway Striełkow immediately accused Chodakowski of collusion with Akhmetov (which is true) and Ukrainian services.
Another key moment for the situation in Donetsk was the arrival of Vladimir Antiufiejewa. July 10 he appeared at a press conference with Striełkow and Borodajem. Presented it as a "deputy prime minister for security Donetsk's Republic". Why is its presence in the Donbas is so important?
Gen. Vladimir Antiufiejew (63 years) is a man-fighting legend of Russia. His career began in the years 1990-1991 in Latvia. As the commander of a special unit of the Soviet OMON police in Riga, is responsible for the bloody suppression of pro-independence demonstrations Latvians. It is two decades he is pursued by international arrest warrant at the request of Latvia.
After the declaration of independence of Latvia Antiufiejew hit in other inflammatory point of the former Soviet Union - to Transnistria, a separatist region that actually broke away from Moldova. Antiufiejew in the years 1992-2012 he was the head of the local security ministries under the assumed name of Vadim Szewcow. For two decades, guarding the interests of Moscow and oversaw the weapons smuggling (left behind by the Soviet military warehouses, Transnistria became an important point on the map of world arms trade). He was known for his cruelty, gaining the title of "Transnistria Beria" (Lavrenty Beria was the head of the NKVD under Stalin - ed). For his activities in Transnistria is being chased by the Moldovan authorities. It also has a ban on entry to the EU.
Today Donetsk governed by a trio of Russians. DRL is no longer a "pro-Russian" project, but just Russian. "Premier" Aleksandr Boroda is a citizen of Russia, coming from Moscow. Supporter of Great-"white" nationalism, write for years in the weekly "Zawtra", expressing the conservative concept of the Russian empire. He believes the Donbas as part of the Great Russia.
Delete"The Minister of Defense" Girkin aka Striełkow comes from the Pskov oblast, also has Russian passport. At a press conference introduced himself as FSB colonel, who retired March 31, 2014. Says that he fought as a volunteer in Transnistria and Bosnia, and then, as an officer of the FSB, the Chechen wars. It may, however, be disinformation. Ukrainians say that Striełkow a GRU officer, and perhaps not retired.
Finally, "Deputy Prime Minister" Antiufiejew, whose first task will be probably establishment of terror in the "republic". Boroda brought him to Donetsk on July 10 from Moscow.
Striełkow supporter is a "people governor" Paul Gubariew, which does not take any official positions in the DRL, but has a large informal influence. Besides his wife is "foreign minister" DRL. (also he is well know in Russia as neoNazi movement supporter)
Striełkow rejects any talks with Ukraine, and he is against the truce. This can be a problem for the official policy of Moscow. In the face of the Ukrainian offensive Kremlin last chance to save Noworosji (not counting open military intervention) sees the ceasefire. Nationalist Striełkow not once have attacked Putin, accusing him of even treason.
Featured will then play on the line Striełkow (GRU) - Antiufiejew (FSB). Whose side will support the Boroda? He It's an old friend of Striełkowa, but on the other hand, took part in the talks with Kiev involving associated with Putin, Viktor Medvedchuk (23 july).
LRL authorities are more centralized than those in Donetsk. Ruled by "president" Valery Bołotow and his men with local veterans organizatio. High degree of autonomy enjoyed, however, the Commandant Alexei Mozgowoj and Ataman Nikolai Kozicyn.
DeleteJust like in Donetsk, in Lugansk also recently seen two trends: the increasing influence of the newcomers from Moscow and tightening terror.
In June Bołotow created KGB LRL, with "counterintelligence" cell called SMERSH (so names were shrouded notorious Stalinist counter-intelligence units during the war with Germany).
July 4, dismissed the current "government" without giving any reason. "Prime Minister" was Marat Bashirov. A citizen of the Russian Federation, born in Izhevsk, in 1964, known lobbyist, former assistant chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federation Council (upper house of parliament of Russia). This Russian spin-doctor, known for links with the Kremlin oligarch Viktor Wekselbergiem.
Citizen of Russia is also the "Deputy Prime Minister for Finance" Dmitry Semjonow. Besides him, there is still about 10 people in Russia in force "ministries" LRL (defense, internal affairs)
The Minister of Defense "Lugansk Republic" is Igor Płotnickij, but the "commander in chief of the armed forces LRL" is Alexei Mozgowoj. In Donetsk, both of these functions does one person: Striełkow. Mozgowoj is, more or less, his ally. It Mozgowoj, as the only one he wanted to go for help Striełkowowi in Sloviansk. Now he is in trouble. A large part of his troops Ukrainians surrounded on three sides in the region Lisicansk.
Formally Mozgowoj was a subject to the "President" Bołotowowi, but have their own political ambitions and is often in dispute with the authorities in Lugansk. In the opinion of Ukrainian experts, it has a few thousand people (although there are also assessments that 12-15 thousand.), Of which 30-40 per cent. are volunteers and mercenaries from Russia. Bołotow wants to dominate the LRL, does not want competition, because no single military command, as in Donetsk. As a result, often lack coordination at the tactical level. But the advantage is Russia's support.
The Cossacks
Independent figure among the Lugansk separatists is Ataman Nikolai Ivanovich Kozicyn. The Russian citizen is at the forefront of the Cossacks of Russia, a strong military group in LRL. It's mostly Don Cossacks, but there are also volunteers from the ranks of the Cossacks of Cuban and tereckich.
Kozicyn unit controls the latter belonging to the separatists still stretch the border with Russia in the Luhansk region. Also Kozicyn not want to acknowledge fully the sovereignty Bołotowa.
>This is turning into a full fledged conventional fight.
ReplyDeleteIt's been like this for 1.5 months already, and you posted about it yourself...couldn't believe it back then? =)