Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-23 and Invasion

[Syt]

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/putin-vows-to-protect-russians-in-southeastern-ukraine-from-nationalists/553436.html

Putin Vows To Protect Russians in Southeastern Ukraine from Nationalists

President Vladimir Putin said he will protect Russians living in southeastern Ukraine from what he described as being "eaten up" by Ukrainian "nationalists," according to an interview broadcast Sunday.

"We proceed from only one thing, which is we cannot abandon the people who live in the southeast of the country to nationalists to eat them up," Putin told the state-run Rossia television network.

Those people include "not only ethnic Russians, but also Russian speakers who are looking toward Russia," Putin said. "There is nothing excessive in that position."

He did not elaborate. Moscow claims Russian speakers are persecuted in Ukraine, and said last year, during the annexation of Crimea, that it sought to protect Russians and to support the drive of separatist insurgents in Ukraine's southeast.

But many of Kiev's government troops which are battling the insurgents also speak Russian, belying Moscow's claim.

Western governments accuse Russia of providing fighters and weapons to the separatists, but Moscow has long denied the accusations and claimed all of its citizens fighting alongside the rebels are independent "volunteers."

But during his annual news conference on Thursday, Putin conceded there were "people involved in solving certain issues, including in the military sphere" in eastern Ukraine. He added that this "does not mean that regular Russian troops are present there."

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko interpreted the comment as an admission of Russia's military involvement.

"Today for the first time the president of the Russian federation has publicly admitted the presence of Russian troops in the Donbass," Poroshenko wrote on his Facebook page.

More than 9,000 people have been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine since the spring of 2014, according to tally by the United Nations.

[Caliga]

Is there still heavy fighting going on?  I don't recall hearing any news of any cities being captured in a very long time...

[Barrister]

Is there still heavy fighting going on?  I don't recall hearing any news of any cities being captured in a very long time...

Not heavy fighting, but fighting / shelling is still near constant over there.

[mongers]

Is there still heavy fighting going on?  I don't recall hearing any news of any cities being captured in a very long time...

I was just asking myself that question.

Need to find a up to date analysis of the state of play, anyone read one recently?

[Solmyr]

This one is regular and pretty good: http://www.interpretermag.com/category/ukraine-at-war/

[CountDeMoney]

I declare Russia as the winner.  Next week's special live broadcast two-hour final episode against Team Amarosa should be great!

[derspiess]

It's Omarosa, you raciss.

[citizen k]

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/desire-to-break-free-from-ukraine-keeps-devastated-donetsk-fighting%E2%80%8B/

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/can-ukraine-save-itself-from-widespread-corruption/

[alfred russel]

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/can-ukraine-save-itself-from-widespread-corruption/

I don't need to click the link to know the answer to that question.

[DGuller]

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/can-ukraine-save-itself-from-widespread-corruption/

I don't need to click the link to know the answer to that question.

Yeah, they really need to work on the titles.  "This analysis of the future of Ukraine's corruption will leave you speechless!"

[Tonitrus]

Were it not for severe professional implications, I might be all about pursuing Ukrainian matchmaking services.  They have them some HOTTies. 

[CountDeMoney]

Were it not for severe professional implications, I might be all about pursuing Ukrainian matchmaking services.  They have them some HOTTies. 

  Opulence I has it.  And loss of clearance.

[Ed Anger]

I want a tiny giraffe.

[alfred russel]

Were it not for severe professional implications, I might be all about pursuing Ukrainian matchmaking services.  They have them some HOTTies. 

Have you done a rent vs. buy analysis? I mean, why buy when you can rent at bargain basement prices.

[Admiral Yi]

I've created a monster.