Pro-Russian rebel fighters at a house where they live near a front-line position in Horlivka, Ukraine. The house had belonged to a regional prosecutor who fled. Credit Brendan Hoffman for The New York Times
New York Times: Ukraine Rebels Upbeat After an Infusion of Aid
WNU Editor: When I was visiting Ukraine two years ago, the last thing on my mind (and on this I can also speak for everyone else) was the possibility of war. The focus at that time (as it has always been) was .... getting a job, dating that pretty girl, griping about corruption in the government, high taxes, saving some money for a vacation or a new car, going to university, taking care of parents and grandparents. This is why the news on Ukraine has been depressing to me on every level .... for I know the people who are on both sides .... I know who and what they are .... I know their history .... I know what motivates them .... I know what angers them and makes them happy .... and I know why this war is occurring today. As to this New York Times report, it is revealing on a number of levels .... we have a school secretary who has lost hope in the Ukraine government and is now a sniper, a man who was a nobody a year ago and now leads a platoon of soldiers .... citizen soldiers who are fighting without even knowing what may come out of it when the war is over .... but they are fighting and killing their own countrymen just the same.
As to the rebels feeling upbeat after an infusion of Russian aid .... that is probably the case. But this war is very fluid, and one thing that I have learned about war is that today you may be victorious and on top of the world .... but tomorrow you may be defeated and very dead.
So, they've broken up the staged Ukraine Army Offensive, with an offensive of their own, forcing the Ukrainians to waste manpower and equiptment in counter attacks,
ReplyDeleteTheir SRG Groups have full run of the Ukraine lines and rear areas,
And two of the villages taken, according to leaks on their social media, were not "taken" the ususal way, with artillary driving out the UAF and "ordinary" forces then occupying the UAF lines,
But instead, were overrun in under 2 hours by "extraordinary" troops,
Which in Soviet Doctrine, implies that they have put together, at least two Shock Brigaides.
So, yup, they are feeling confident.
Yesterday online streams showed 70 Ukrainian T-64 and T-72 tanks, along with 6 Mil-24's heading towards Debartseve, so, the next couple of days, will see if their confidence, is earned.
WNU,
ReplyDeleteRe: the header photo. That is one of the strangest photos I've seen in a long time, even in the past. If you have time give it another look over and tell me what you think. I don't mean to be exclusive to WNU, I'd welcome anyone's comment, but impressions, not necessarily analyses.
James .... I posted it because I felt the same way .... everything about the picture is off. No one is looking at each other. The artificial Christmas tree with no decorations. The room is clean and spotless. Lights still functioning when the entire region has no power. The running shoes .... in winter !?!?! (I've done that more than once in winter .... not pleasant). The food is nicely arranged but no one is eating. The young woman in the corner .... who is she? The position of the rifle with the barrel on the floor. The boots on the commander are spotless .... in winter?!?!? My boots are never that clean in winter. Everything about this picture screams "staged".
ReplyDeletePretty good run down on odd things, add bench seat on left of table and chairs on right and (I'll need you're help on this) is the door behind the commander a common exterior door in that part of the world? The description says house, but I have some doubts. Good call on the girl. As you know I think all pictures tell stories beyond what the taker and publisher realize, but could possibly the message here? Something is being said, the thought crossed my mind it could be a very very inside message with no relevance to the perceived context, but that's big speculation. By any chance do you know of a French Avante Garde Theatre Troupe currently touring the area with their version of "Waiting for Poroshenko"?
ReplyDeleteDid not think about the door .... it is not common. Too expensive for most homes, and prosecutors do not make that much money.
ReplyDelete