What Is Next For The Ukraine Rebel Movement

Alexander Borodai, premier of the self proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, shakes hands with Alexander Zakharchenko, who heads a heavily armed rebel unit called Oplot during their news conference in Donetsk, in this August 7, 2014 file photo. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin/Files

Ukraine Rebel Movement Faces Uncertain Future -- Reuters

(Reuters) - The resignations were abrupt and unexpected, two quick-fire blows to a separatist movement already suffering reversals on the battle field of eastern Ukraine.

Alexander Borodai, the premier of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, and Igor Strelkov, his military commander, had together formed the rebels' leadership against Ukrainian troops since armed men first seized state buildings across eastern Ukraine in April.

Friends from Moscow and comrades in arms, they were viewed by the separatists and by Kiev as Russia’s men. Their successive departures in the past two weeks may mark a turning point in a conflict which has dragged ties between Russia and the West to their lowest since the Cold War.

Among separatist ranks, the news has fueled fears that other Russian fighters may abandon the insurgency.

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Update: The rebel leaders dropping out of the fight in eastern Ukraine -- The Guardian

My Comment: Everyone is now positioning themselves for what will happen after the major rebel-held cities have fallen to the Ukraine military. My prediction is that if Kiev does adopt a reconciliation tone .... and is willing to compromise starting with the granting of a certain of degree of autonomy .... the rebel-separatist movement will (probably) eventually die. But .... if it becomes business as normal .... expect a low level insurgency to grow in the same manner that happened in Northern Ireland in the last century.