Friday, May 02, 2014

Ukraine the Tragedy and the Lull



(hey, look!  a Hummer!  I guess not all given by the US were stolen!)

By no means was today a good day for Ukraine, whether you are rooting for Kiev or for Moscow.

The offensive against the LGM in Slavyansk stopped.  The rumor is it was because the LGM wanted to 'negotiate' over the OSCE observers they hold.  Were they threatening to kill them?  IDK.  Its about the only thing I can think of off the top of my head which would cause the operation to halt.

Two Mi-24 Hinds operated by the Ukrainians were shot down...by man portable SAMs.  That's definitely something the locals would have!

Reports are of 2 to 4 Ukrainian soldiers dead, more wounded and 20 LGM dead and a similar number wounded from around Slavyansk.  There are supposedly operations elsewhere which may have others dead & wounded.

Odessa eclipsed Slavyansk though in tragedy: 43+ are dead and many, many more are in the hospitals.  The LGM started a march and attempted to pull their Donbass/Crimea stunts in Odessa.  The populace turned out and got into running battles.  A sniper even showed up taking potshots at one side or another (claims are he was pro Russian).  The LGM seized the Trade Union building.  This caught fire.  At least 38 burned to death.  Oddly, the folks trying to help them the most were the pro Ukrainian crowds. 

In Lugansk, the police took back the admin buildings.  Apparently the new Chief of Police is a ballsy SOB.

The Russians called for an Emergency UN Security Council meeting.  Largely a repeat of the past silliness.

We will see who takes the initiative next: Turchie and Yatz or Putty Pie.

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