Fears Along The Russian - Ukraine Border

Donetsk Fearful Of Russian Military Might On Ukraine’s Border -- Washington Post

DONETSK, Ukraine — Some people are making sure their cars stay gassed up, in case their families need to flee advancing tanks. Others are stockpiling food so they can dig in if there is an invasion. A few talk about learning to shoot. Nearly everyone is worried.

Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers are massed along the Ukrainian border, U.S. officials report, with large contingents gathered near the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine. Russian officials say the troops are conducting routine exercises. On Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow has no intention of using them against Ukraine.

But ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula after a hastily arranged referendum March 16, few here know what to believe. This is a Russian-speaking region that has long been well disposed toward its neighbor. Some small but vocal groups, fearing that they will get short shrift from Kiev, have demonstrated against the Ukrainian government. There have been demands for a referendum on joining Russia. But no one is asking for war.

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My Comment:  Donetsk is predominantly Russian .... but no one wants an invasion. Like much of eastern Ukraine .... there is deep resentment against the interim government in Kiev .... but everyone is adopting a wait and see altitude towards the elections in May that will determine the makeup of a new government .... and the policies that they will introduce. Until then .... everyone is positioning themselves for a worse case scenario.