Ukraine: military (Aug '14 to mid-June '15) closed

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia is constructing the first global “Iron Curtain” against the flow of electronic information—ARE they that “threatened” by a coming “colored revolt”????

NOW Russia is introducing legislation to "cleanse the Russian language of foreign words"--they should have asked the French how that exactly went for them--basically one cannot control the development of a language ---at least not in the 21st century.

Russian fascism is on the move these days coupled with a strong dose of ethnic nationalism. The Czar would be proud.

Now this is an interesting position for these IT/social media companies doing business in Russia—do they cave and provide thus virtually killing any blogger initiatives via their platforms OR do they STAND up for the freedom of expression.

Russia 'will block' Google, Twitter and Facebook if they withhold blogger data | World news | The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...d-blogger-data …

Russian regulator vows to block mobile apps with banned books - report | Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI). http://www.rapsinews.com/news/20150521/273763047.html …

Russia Warns Apple and Google Over Extremist Literature | Business | The Moscow Times http://www.themoscowtimes.com/busine...re/521990.html …

Notice the Russians do not define exactly what "extremist" is?

BUT having supported a proUkrainian position has been used by Russian trolls to block FB and Twitter accounts so we know what is meant by the word "extremist".

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia manufactures bullets without any marking to use in Ukraine.
http://censor.net.ua/photo_news/3370...nazovtsev_foto … pic.twitter.com/hadQRO8dvM

Not an exact science, but appearance of Russian war reporters is usually an ominous sign... Many are now heading for Lugansk

Dzerzhynsk center @dimetros7776 2 #OSCE cars cruise around. "It's late, why not yesterday? wait for evening, don't go away"

Yesterday russian "Vesti" TVnews: EU provides no financial aid for Ukraine. Today: EU provides over €1 bln aid https://twitter.com/n_jaresko/status/601668111603867648 …

Ukrainian soldier was executed in the forest of LC-militia. pic.twitter.com/p34S9ThVFO

#Avdiivka
Aftermath of yesterday's shelling at the coke plant. https://twitter.com/rechnikato/statu...70901919252480 …

New #map on the situation near #Shchastya according to the latest reports on clashes & the Russian soldiers' capture. pic.twitter.com/HKju2CYRCz

Stanytsia Luhanska - after tonight's battle now pedestrian passage to occupied territ. across the bridge is blocked https://twitter.com/LUGANSK_TODAY/st...63900640276480 …

Somewhere in #Ukraine #Russian T-72 tanks drive over a bus just for fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNJg...ature=youtu.be …

[OUTLAW 09]

Eliot Higgins @EliotHiggins
Secret Service of Ukraine's report on Russian soldiers in Ukraine https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7f...FMdG9meW8/view …

In English

[OUTLAW 09]

So much for the Russian FM claiming they adhere to international law--the resupply of Russian peacekeepers stationed there since 1992 and which the OSCE recently stated they need to be pulled back out--is in fact regulated by international Ukrainian and Russian legal agreements--which do not preclude one or the other side from cancelling them.

So is Russia pushing for a direct war now with the Ukraine over resupplying their troops that should not actually be there based even on OSCE statements?

#Russia to send supplies to peacekeeping contingent in #Transdniestria under any circumstances - Defense Ministry

Last time I checked the Ukraine definitely hold this border under their direct military and border police control.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian Railways train in Luhansk http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/22-may-...ain-in-luhansk … #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/wHL0oIuow5 via @BuTaJIu4eK

Video of large #Russia|n convoy in the #Luhansk region, uploaded today:
https://youtu.be/3T8fgCcFg-0

It is a massive Russian convoy--- near Luhansk pic.twitter.com/K2TFZVFtUB

MUST READ On EU's failure in media to address its Russian-speaking audience. Battleground Latvia by @leonidragozin http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articl...ssian-speakers …

Once again: the Rome Statute might be abused inside #Ukraine by #Russia #hybridwarfare tactics, ESPECIALLY w/#Minsk https://twitter.com/maxfdn/status/601683992019079168 …

3 #Ukraine soldiers KIA, 12 WIA in the last 24 hours. Most casualties in the #Donetsk sector - NSDC

Seems like the Russian FM is smoking again—why would it be concerned at all about the EU and eastern Europe when it blocks anything the EU attempts to do AND at the same time wants vis free EU travel—Russian Orwellian double speak.

MFA Russia ✔ @mfa_russia
Deputy FM Sergey Ryabkov: #EasternPartnership to be successful If 'either-or' choice not proposed - http://bit.ly/1cRznYt

Now the Ukrainian SF wants some credit to after the Russian Spetsnaz publicity—especailly when it is all said and done it was a combined Ukrainian SF/SSU C-UW operation that netted the Russian POWs.
NSDC of Ukraine ✔ @NSDC_ua
Ukrainian heroes: Intelligence officers in Avdiivka gather critical information & successfully fight Russian soldiers pic.twitter.com/zA7uzmb06j

[OUTLAW 09]

#BreakingNews
Russian ground troops crossed the Seversky Donets river near #StanytsiaLuhanska last night to attack Ukr forces.
1 soldier WIA

NSDC of Ukraine ✔ @NSDC_ua
Ukrainian servicemen spotted 23 flights of enemy UAVs; 2 more at the admin border with Crimea; 1 more at UA-RU border in Sumy region

NSDC of Ukraine ✔ @NSDC_ua
Pro-Russian militants used 120mm mortars, 122mm artillery and tanks banned by Minsk accords in their attacks

NSDC of Ukraine ✔ @NSDC_ua
Pro-RU militants shelled Avdiivka, Opytne & Vodynane, killing 1 civilian and wounding 2 more. JCCC reps reported to @OSCE_SMM

NSDC of Ukraine ✔ @NSDC_ua
Hotspots: Fighting continues in Shyrokyne – Mariupol sec; Zolote, Shchastya, Stanytsia Luhanska – Luhansk sec

#News
Russian invaders executed at least 8 Ukrainian soldiers - @amnesty
http://censor.net.ua/news/337156/ter..._international …

[OUTLAW 09]

First it was reported the Russian mercenary negotiators flew today to Minsk and now this--they just must just wanted a break from the poor conditions in Donetsk their so called capital and all the recent shellings ongoing from civilian zones.

NOW this---and yet they claim the Ukrainians are not negotiating.

#DPR, #LPR leaders refuse to meet with Trilateral Contact Group - source
http://www.interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=594038 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Eliot Higgins @EliotHiggins
Secret Service of Ukraine's report on Russian soldiers in Ukraine https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7f...FMdG9meW8/view …

In English

The 2 Russian POWs in Ukraine Moscow wants to go away just gave an interview to @novaya_gazeta. Here's our roundup. https://meduza.io/en/news/2015/05/22...on-active-duty …

This is one seriously ticked off Russian Spetsnaz member--the Russian military would do well in contacting him as I am sure he is holding back extremely damaging information that he has not revealed as he felt he would be freed and go home and nothing would happen to him as he had kept his mouth shut.

The Ukrainian SSU is probably hoping for this info to flow once he figures he has been truly abandoned by his own country that evidently did not even bother to pay him correctly--how cheap is that?????

Gazeta’s website.

“Everybody has come by to see us. Representatives from the UN, the Red Cross, the OSCE—everyone asked how I’m doing. Am I dead or alive? Am I receiving proper care? Everyone has come except representatives from the [Russian] embassy. I understand that they’ve disavowed my military status. To hell with it. But I’m still a citizen of my own country. I’d like to see some kind of representative,” Erofeev said

.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia is constructing the first global “Iron Curtain” against the flow of electronic information—ARE they that “threatened” by a coming “colored revolt”????

NOW Russia is introducing legislation to "cleanse the Russian language of foreign words"--they should have asked the French how that exactly went for them--basically one cannot control the development of a language ---at least not in the 21st century.

Russian fascism is on the move these days coupled with a strong dose of ethnic nationalism. The Czar would be proud.

Now this is an interesting position for these IT/social media companies doing business in Russia—do they cave and provide thus virtually killing any blogger initiatives via their platforms OR do they STAND up for the freedom of expression.

Russia 'will block' Google, Twitter and Facebook if they withhold blogger data | World news | The Guardian http://www.theguardian.com/world/201...d-blogger-data …

Russian regulator vows to block mobile apps with banned books - report | Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI). http://www.rapsinews.com/news/20150521/273763047.html …

Russia Warns Apple and Google Over Extremist Literature | Business | The Moscow Times http://www.themoscowtimes.com/busine...re/521990.html …

Notice the Russians do not define exactly what "extremist" is?

BUT having supported a proUkrainian position has been used by Russian trolls to block FB and Twitter accounts so we know what is meant by the word "extremist".

Will be interesting to see if these two so called American internet/tech firms explain their actions to the US mainstream media??????

Apple and Google reportedly remove content from app stores Roskomnadzor had labeled extremist. https://meduza.io/en/news/2015/05/22...russian-censor …

[OUTLAW 09]

For the previous two days the Russian Embassy in the Ukraine and the Russian Foreign Ministry complained bitterly that "they could not visit their two Russian citizens in the Ukrainian military hospital" although other organizations had.

These complaints made it into the TASS, Interfax and Sputnik press release news cycles.

today this was released in an interview conducted with both of the POWs by an independent Russian news media outlet known for balanced reporting.

I had mentioned that the initial denial by Russia that they were Spetsnaz and only "former Russian military service not active duty" would have a whiplash effect in the SF Force and it has evidently by some reporting coming out of their Spetsnaz Brigade today.

This is one seriously ticked off Russian Spetsnaz member--the Russian military would do well in contacting him as I am sure he is holding back extremely damaging information that he has not revealed as he felt he would be freed and go home and nothing would happen to him as long as he had kept his mouth shut. Remember this particular individual has been in the Ukraine on three combat tours.

Gazeta’s website.

“Everybody has come by to see us. Representatives from the UN, the Red Cross, the OSCE—everyone asked how I’m doing. Am I dead or alive? Am I receiving proper care? Everyone has come except representatives from the [Russian] embassy. I understand that they’ve disavowed my military status. To hell with it. But I’m still a citizen of my own country. I’d like to see some kind of representative,” Erofeev said Russia betrayed its soldiers - renounced POW, and now faces threat of Tolyatti SWAT unit revolt; unit was urgently withdrawn&to be disbanded.

.@novaya_gazeta journo Kanygin tells @HromadskeTV captured Russian soldier he spoke to cried when heard wife did fake interview on RU TV

Remember these are elite professional Russian soldiers who believed in their country and when the cognitive dissonance hits it can be brutal.

The GRU would be wise to get ahead of this problem that is if they even recognize it.

[OUTLAW 09]

U.S. Mission to OSCE @usosce
There is no denying it: There is a substantial #Russian presence in eastern #Ukraine - READ: http://1.usa.gov/1eiFMNw

Ukrainian army spots record number of militant drones in Donbas overnight
http://www.unian.info/war/1081020-uk...overnight.html … pic.twitter.com/MmjT6MxdNu

ATO spox Lysenko says Russian drone crossed into UA's Sumy oblast - well away from current conflict zone. Record drone activity last night

[OUTLAW 09]

For the previous two days the Russian Embassy in the Ukraine and the Russian Foreign Ministry complained bitterly that "they could not visit their two Russian citizens in the Ukrainian military hospital" although other organizations had.

These complaints made it into the TASS, Interfax and Sputnik press release news cycles.

today this was released in an interview conducted with both of the POWs by an independent Russian news media outlet known for balanced reporting.

I had mentioned that the initial denial by Russia that they were Spetsnaz and only "former Russian military service not active duty" would have a whiplash effect in the SF Force and it has evidently by some reporting coming out of their Spetsnaz Brigade today.

This is one seriously ticked off Russian Spetsnaz member--the Russian military would do well in contacting him as I am sure he is holding back extremely damaging information that he has not revealed as he felt he would be freed and go home and nothing would happen to him as long as he had kept his mouth shut. Remember this particular individual has been in the Ukraine on three combat tours.



.@novaya_gazeta journo Kanygin tells @HromadskeTV captured Russian soldier he spoke to cried when heard wife did fake interview on RU TV

Remember these are elite professional Russian soldiers who believed in their country and when the cognitive dissonance hits it can be brutal.

The GRU would be wise to get ahead of this problem that is if they even recognize it.

While this article is in German it alludes to some really negative treatment of the Spetsnaz BN that was flown immediately back to their Russian home base after the two POWs were taken.

https://de.informnapalm.org/hintergr...g-aus-luhansk/

If true then the Russian Army High Command has broken faith with one of their true historical Spetsnaz Brigades that came out of WW2.

By Russia's constant denials of their troops being in the Ukraine at every possibility they have basically "abandoned" members of one of their most historical Spetsnaz Brigades--by breaking faith with an elite unit you run an inherent risk in the future use of these types of units as they will never "volunteer" or become "contract fighters"-AND you deny them the POW status under the GC.

If the captured POW CPT is correct they had not even paid him what they said they would and that simple fact will spread fast among elite units.

Kiev Court Places Captured Russian Soldier (CPT) Under Arrest for terrorism and murder http://bit.ly/1LkKZ1C

[OUTLAW 09]

So much for the Russian FM claiming they adhere to international law--the resupply of Russian peacekeepers stationed there since 1992 and which the OSCE recently stated they need to be pulled back out--is in fact regulated by international Ukrainian and Russian legal agreements--which do not preclude one or the other side from cancelling them.

So is Russia pushing for a direct war now with the Ukraine over resupplying their troops that should not actually be there based even on OSCE statements?

#Russia to send supplies to peacekeeping contingent in #Transdniestria under any circumstances - Defense Ministry

Last time I checked the Ukraine definitely hold this border under their direct military and border police control.

#Ukraine has begun the process of discarding agreements that allowed #Kremlin to keep Kyiv on a “short leash.”http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/05/2...s-with-russia/ …

[OUTLAW 09]

While this article is in German it alludes to some really negative treatment of the Spetsnaz BN that was flown immediately back to their Russian home base after the two POWs were taken.

https://de.informnapalm.org/hintergr...g-aus-luhansk/

If true then the Russian Army High Command has broken faith with one of their true historical Spetsnaz Brigades that came out of WW2.

By Russia's constant denials of their troops being in the Ukraine at every possibility they have basically "abandoned" members of one of their most historical Spetsnaz Brigades--by breaking faith with an elite unit you run an inherent risk in the future use of these types of units as they will never "volunteer" or become "contract fighters"-AND you deny them the POW status under the GC.

If the captured POW CPT is correct they had not even paid him what they said they would and that simple fact will spread fast among elite units.

Kiev Court Places Captured Russian Soldier (CPT) Under Arrest for terrorism and murder http://bit.ly/1LkKZ1C

In Togliatti detained correspondent of Rain TV Timur @olevskiy http://russia.liveuamap.com/en/2015/...-rain-tv-timur … via @tvrain Cause he filmed "that" GRU unit

Nothing to see here! @tvrain correspondent detained outside alleged home base of soldiers detained in Ukraine http://tvrain.ru/news/v_toljatti_zad...imur_o-387805/

[OUTLAW 09]

One of the Russian key demands for their occupied eastern Ukrainian zones has been "federalization"--a concept that will allow Russian direct control over the Ukraine in all matters--very similar to the Bosnian solution.

Russian newspaper exposes Moscow’s “federalization of Ukraine” hypocrisy http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/05/2...ine-hypocrisy/ … pic.twitter.com/gB09Tb42ce

[OUTLAW 09]

I find it interesting that this White House is so intent on “saving and or building a legacy” than solving problems and that includes Russia and the Ukraine—some Europeans are saying privately he has thrown the Ukrainians under the bus for an Iranian deal with aid of the Russians.

Thus the total and I mean total silence from Obama himself for at least now two months--not even the massively increased shellings and ground attacks has provoked a direct comment from him --all comments are coming from the senior military leadership and or the DoS--find that strange to say the least.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...source=twitter

Continued………
They blame the hands-off approach on an Obama administration unwilling to risk even small numbers of American lives in battle, burned by the fallout of the loss of four Americans in Benghazi, Libya, and intent on preserving the legacy of President Barack Obama’s troop drawdowns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“You can’t say ‘We’re with you every step of the way, except when you are going on combat operations,’” said a former senior special operations official briefed on the ISIS campaign.

[OUTLAW 09]

Rather strangely quiet day with little to no shellings and or ground attacks on any of the hotspots.

A few reported isolated single artillery/mortar rounds or some general gun fire all day----but in general nothing much to write home about.

That is altogether totally not normal--either "peace" has completely broken out and it was totally unnoticed OR it is the coming prelude to a major offensive.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian black humor with a ring of truth to it……….

"Our hybrid President who backdates soldiers' dismissals" (in Russian) https://www.facebook.com/karina.orlo...message_bubble …

Highly recommend this @seansrussiablog podcast on Russian "hybrid" warfare, what it is--and more interesting--isn't: http://seansrussiablog.org/2015/05/1...ar-in-ukraine/ …

If true this is significant due to their signatures being on the Minsk 1 and 2 documents.

Zaharchenko and Plotnitsky have refused to go to the meeting in Minsk - media pic.twitter.com/8CC66SNMgK http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/22-may-...-go-to-the,,hm … significant

2 developments since Minsk-2: rebels turning into real army with #Russia help; Kremlin withdrawing from talks to raise profile of proxies.

OR is it a way for Russia to slip away from any responsibility whatsoever as they have been hammered repeatedly for noncompliance with fully implementing Minsk 2—now they can claim “it’s up to the mercenaries” and "it ain't us now" mantra.

[OUTLAW 09]

Several weeks ago it was "leaked" that the Ukrainian Army wanted to purchase Israeli drones and immediately Putin personally called the Israeli leader applied pressure and Israel backed away from the deal.

Begs the question as to what the "pressure" was by Putin to "force" this decision by a normally conservative Israeli leader who in the past openly criticized Russian support with weapons of Iran and Syria--strange is it not??

This article shows a similar 'Israelian' drone (Russian assembled) being shot down on May 8th 2015.
http://9tv.co.il/news/2015/05/08/203571.html …
via @eto_tak

Donbas rebels now have $6m drones, which #Ukraine never owned.
Quite a "shop" #Putin runs... pic.twitter.com/hFhDKEL7Km

Battalion Dnepr-1 shoots down drone with Israeli hightech components near Avdeevka.pic.twitter.com/MQHHo8EY6B
via @JulianRoepcke

PHOTO: Battalion Dnipro-1 shot down drone near #Avdiivka. #Ukraine - @UkrWatchTower
pic.twitter.com/gOJJL7d82C

Foto of Forpost UAV #923 downed near Avdiivka at the plant in Russia pic.twitter.com/1b9bT1Q0Wa via @RuslanLeviev http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/21-may-...7.76516&zoom=9 …

Dnipro-1 drone spots Russian air defense system 5km from front line. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DbXWMT...ature=youtu.be …

Reference this particular Russian shot down drone-still carrying the ID number 923:

The commander of the Ukrainian Aerorozvidka unit, Natan Chazin, explains the the importance of a drone his unit shot down this month. Chazin explains that the recovery of the the Israeli-made drone, called the Searcher 2, lasted two days as Ukrainian troops battled to reach the wreckage, saying this is indicative of the aircraft's importance. The commander also adds that the drone is highly advanced and used by only a few countries across the world

[OUTLAW 09]

#Cyborg commander Oleh Kuzminykh of 90th battalion's 81st brigade was liberated from captivity http://news.liga.net/news/politics/5..._istochnik.htm … pic.twitter.com/NlciCnxm8p

He was “paraded” and had eggs and rotten tomatoes throw at him and 60 others during a mercenary celebration of the victory over the Cyborgs in the Donetsk battle—took a large number of videos to get AI active—his capture photos also depicted POW beatings.

Social media was able to verify the execution of eight Ukrainian POWs which again it took social media to move AI.

Amnesty International may have actually overstepped their remit—after charging the Ukraine with torturing POWs—and all those involved in the fighting have challenged AI to lay the prove on the table.

This is not the first time AI has actually overstepped with some accusations leveled against the Ukrainians using information provided by the Russian mercenaries or the Russian government ie incendiary weapons against civilians, shelling of civilian populations AND most of all it took the Ukrainians via video evidence to get AI even interested on the ongoing torture and execution by Russian mercenaries of Ukrainian POWs.

SBU denies torture of detainees and is calling for Amnesty International to verify as has the Right Sector, Aidar and Azov BNs

BTW--questioning POWs that were released back to the mercenaries on their home turf so to speak often leads to rat holes on accusations of torture--they should have been conducted during their detainment.