Ukraine: Slovyansk Attempts To Return to Normal Life After Months Of Fighting -- Euronews
Residents in the Ukrainian city of Slovyansk were trying to return to normal life on Tuesday after several months of fighting between separatists and government troops.
Rebels retreated from the city on Sunday, heading to nearby Donetsk where they say they are regrouping and plan to fight back.
Kyiv says it now intends to lay siege to Donetsk.
President Poroshenko said: “We plan to force the armed gangs out of Luhansk and Donetsk suburbs in the framework of special operation, but avoid fighting inside those cities.”
Some in Slovyansk hold the Ukrainian army responsible for the destruction in the city, saying they were bombed and shelled over several months. Others blame the separatist rebels.
Locals say they are unsure if the temporary peace will last.
Read more ....
Update #1: Fears remain after Ukraine's rebels flee Sloviansk -- BBC
Update #2: Slovyansk struggles back after rebels are routed -- Washington Post/AP
My Comment: The above video is a must see. Not surprising .... I do not see many (if any) young men who are local in any of the shots. It is also clear from the video that the locals who are there are not happy to see the Ukrainian soldiers .... even when they are being given food. As to where are the young men who are absent in the above video .... my contacts there tell me that almost of them were in the pro-Russian rebel militia .... and they fled when the Ukraine military moved in ... and those who stayed behind .... almost all of them have been arrested and interned. There are also reports of Ukranian militia units going house to house .... taking what they want .... and arresting anyone that they suspect was a fighter and/or a supporter of the pro-rebel militia. In short .... Slovyansk is not a place to be if your sympathies are with Russia .... and .... as the last few minutes of the above video sadly shows .... if you are old and alone.
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