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Russian Rebels Declare Victory in Battle of Ukraine's Donetsk Airport [Combat Video]
Dignitas News Service ^ | January 16, 2015 | Dignitas News Service Team

Posted on 01/16/2015 9:33:23 AM PST by dignitasnews

donetsk airport

Commanders of the Russian-backed rebels in Ukraine declared victory in their assault on the Sergei Prokofiev International Airport in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, after intense battles. Despite denials from Moscow, international journalists have chronicled the fighting, indicating that the Russians have secured control of the airport, with Ukrainian forces holding onto only small pockets of ground within the terminal.

The first major engagement since the so-called "cease-fire" of September 5 was staged by Russian forces, despite warnings from Germany that such action would bring on major sanctions which on the already struggling Russian economy.  Aleksandr Zakharchenko, leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic, vowed Thursday to take the airport. "They are on territory which they do not control and will never be under their control," adding they will not stop there, "we will go further, to Slavyansk, to Kramatorsk, and so on."

While acknowledging the intense fighting, officials in the Ukraine have to this point denied losing the airport, claiming "our guys are still defending it." This statement was made by Ukrainian military analyst Denis Ermak, in a telephone interview with the New York Times. “They fight through holes in the floor, with booby traps, by blowing up walls and in the stairwells the situation is difficult.” stated Ermak, "They want to show the world they have taken the airport, but they have not. Our guys are still defending it. Every day and every night there are attacks.”

Despite Russian denials of direct involvement, Ukrainian sources reported use of the Burantino weapon, which fires "vacuum bombs," a highly powerful thermobaric rocket which could only have been provided by Russian forces.

VIDEO: NovorossiyaNews_viaGrahamPhilipsYouTube

The $750 million airport in Donetsk was originally constructed to accommodate traffic for the Euro 2012 soccer event, has instead been the staging ground for the most intense fighting in the ongoing struggle between pro-Russian rebels and forces of Ukraine.

Last year, Russian sympathizers claimed victory in a referendum indicating a desire of the Donetsk region to join the Russian nation. Security Service of Ukraine stated they had obtained indubitable evidence of involvement by Russia in preparing and coordinating of so-called “referendum” with results known in advance in eastern Ukraine and creating the “People’s Republic of Donetsk.” The alleged evidence was unearthed as Ukrainian forces attacked police headquarters in the port city of Mariupol on Friday in an attempt to drive out Russian militants. The building was set ablaze, at press time is it unclear who was responsible for the blaze.

VIDEO: GlobalLeaks_viaYouTube

In the midst of the chaos, Jewish residents of the area  leaflets had been circulated throughout the Donetsk area instructing Jewish residents to report to government offices to register “person and property” with the new pro-Russian officials or risk imprisonment and deportation.

The actions come on the eve of Passover and caused world-wide concern that Russian led forces are seeking to “punish” Jewish residents in retaliation for its support of pro-Western political interests during the current crisis, as well as its support for Ukrainian independence in the aftermath of World War II. The leaflet was written in Russian and had Russia’s national symbol on it, as well as the Donetsk People’s Republic insignia.

For it's part, Europe seems to be have been caught off-guard on the escalation, while most the Western end of the continent has been engaged in large, coordinated raids against Islamo-Fascist terrorist groups. As of press time, no major European leader  has commented on the situation in Donetsk.

By Dignitas News Service Team

Sources:

NovorossiyaNews_viaGrahamPhilipsYouTube NewYorkTimes GlobalLeaks_viaYouTube


TOPICS: Government; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: donetsk; russia; ukraine
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1 posted on 01/16/2015 9:33:23 AM PST by dignitasnews
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To: dignitasnews

“Victory” at the airport has been declared before, so take it with a grain of salt.

The Airport was supposed to be given up by Ukraine as part of the cease-fire deal, but the Right-Sector refused, hence months of fighting.

There are something like 35 kilometers of tunnels underneath the airport, many leading to surrounding towns, that were part of a Soviet-era Nuclear War survival bunker system, which is why they have been so hard to flush out.


2 posted on 01/16/2015 9:45:34 AM PST by tcrlaf (They told me it could never happen in America. And then it did....)
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To: tcrlaf
Many, many stories coming out of the fighting at Donetsk Airport. One report has the Commander of the Vostok Battalion trapped in the basement of the terminal along with a Chechen assault team. Reported to be 20 in number. Also, the second floor is reportedly occupied by Chechens as well. And in the middle/first floor? Ukrainians. Seems implausible, but in war anything is possible.

Regardless of one's opinions on this blood bath, all can agree the fighting is intense. I watched the live cam feed on Euromaidenpr.com and it was shaking from approx. 3 KM away! Many, many incoming rounds. And not small ones....

3 posted on 01/16/2015 10:28:32 AM PST by donozark (Two rights don't make a wrong. But two Wright's can build and airplane.)
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To: tcrlaf

RIGHT SECTOR!!!


4 posted on 01/16/2015 11:07:10 AM PST by 1rudeboy
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To: tcrlaf

I keep hearing about this supposed provision in the Minsk Protocol for Ukraine to give up the Donetsk Airport, but have never come across any credible source to support this contention. Could you point to such a source?


5 posted on 01/16/2015 11:21:22 AM PST by Agog
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To: dignitasnews; All

Interesting video, sub-titled, from Tuesday.

Zahharchenko, Donetsk Pres, tells it like it is during a meeting with Ukrainian/Right Sector officers near the Airport.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3jxzhWwF1k#t=261


6 posted on 01/16/2015 11:58:24 AM PST by tcrlaf (They told me it could never happen in America. And then it did....)
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To: Agog

“I keep hearing about this supposed provision in the Minsk Protocol for Ukraine to give up the Donetsk Airport”

Kiev alternately says the Kiev Protocol isn’t legitimate, then it says it is no party to it because Kuchma isn’t an official representative of the Kiev Government, and then it claims violations of it.

Zakharchenko addresses this in the video I posted. You can tell he’s disgusted with it.


7 posted on 01/16/2015 12:01:49 PM PST by tcrlaf (They told me it could never happen in America. And then it did....)
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To: Agog

As far as the airport I concerned, the Minsk Protocol called for UK-Rebel forces to disengage, with Kiev withdrawing heavy equipment to line 15 kilometers away.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk_Protocol

After the heavy fighting stopped, the Right Sector refused to honor the agreement, and moved it’s own and Nat Guard (Which are not Army-controlled) forces, including armor, in to hold it.

Lots of videos on Youtube of them claiming credit for it, and celebrating the “Retaking” of the airport, just after the cease-fire.


8 posted on 01/16/2015 12:07:50 PM PST by tcrlaf (They told me it could never happen in America. And then it did....)
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To: tcrlaf

The Wikipedia entry contains nothing to support your claim. The airport lies outside Russia’s area of control as depicted there. If there is anything concrete that supports your claim, please provide it.

As for the video of Zakharchenko that you posted, if ever proof was needed that Putin has installed mafia government in the Donbas, there it is. He looks, talks and acts like the Putin installed gauleiter that he is.


9 posted on 01/16/2015 12:28:03 PM PST by Agog
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To: tcrlaf

You refer to “Kiev”. I assume you mean the Ukrainian government. You claim that they state that the “Kiev Protocol” is not legitimate. If by that you are referring to the Minsk Protocol, then your statement is false. The Ukrainian government has at all times maintained that they have been complying with the Minsk Protocol despite Russia and its proxies continuous violations of it.


10 posted on 01/16/2015 12:31:03 PM PST by Agog
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To: Agog

” The airport lies outside Russia’s area of control as depicted there.”

That is your OPINION, it isn’t fact. It is very clear that the Donetsk Rebel government thinks otherwise.


11 posted on 01/16/2015 2:52:10 PM PST by tcrlaf (They told me it could never happen in America. And then it did....)
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To: dignitasnews

Russia delivered a new MLRS to the “rebels” one report said


12 posted on 01/16/2015 2:54:14 PM PST by GeronL
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To: dignitasnews

The Russians have ignored the so-called “cease-fire”


13 posted on 01/16/2015 2:55:10 PM PST by GeronL
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To: Agog

“The Ukrainian government has at all times maintained that they have been complying with the Minsk Protocol”

In the face of all the evidence that says otherwise, and has for months, that’s just laughable.

They “maintain it” when it suits them, they ignore it when the RS radicals tell them to.

Ukraine is being torn apart by 3 masters right now, and they all have different agendas.


14 posted on 01/16/2015 2:56:32 PM PST by tcrlaf (They told me it could never happen in America. And then it did....)
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To: tcrlaf

The invaders need to be wiped out to the last man


15 posted on 01/16/2015 3:06:36 PM PST by GeronL
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To: Agog

http://uatoday.tv/crime/ukrainian-cyborgs-fend-off-repeated-insurgent-attacks-403282.html

Ukrainian ‘Cyborgs’ fend off repeated insurgent attacks

Ukrainian soldiers access the Donetsk International Airport from the village of Piski in Donetsk region. They bring ammunition and evacuate wounded soldiers, sometimes several times during one day.

Ukrainian artillery has been supporting ‘Cyborgs’ at airport. Kremlin-backed insurgents have reached the terminal buildings in recent days.

Ukraine’s tanks are on airport runway, but they are prevented from approaching the terminal because of enemy artillery fire.

Donetsk airport defender: “We will not surrender! Our tanks are providing cover support for ‘Cyborgs’.”

Ukrainian soldiers from the 93rd Mechanized Brigade have recaptured the traffic control tower. They unload ammunition and depart. They say Russian fighters are using mortars.

Ukrainian officers say the insurgents are using heavy artillery to prevent Ukrainian soldiers from resupplying the ‘Cyborgs.’ “They cut off the approaches to the airport to prevent them from coming closer.”


16 posted on 01/16/2015 3:08:36 PM PST by GeronL
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To: Agog

The Ukraine Parliament voted to remove immunity from members of Parliament.

No more special status for lawmakers who think they are above the law.


17 posted on 01/16/2015 3:15:34 PM PST by GeronL
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To: tcrlaf

You very quickly went from saying the airport belonged to the “rebels” by agreement to “that’s your opinion” and the rebels “think otherwise”.

wow.


18 posted on 01/16/2015 3:18:09 PM PST by GeronL
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To: dignitasnews

Today is the anniversary of the “Dictatorship Laws” that the old Russian puppet government passed. These laws basically outlawed any opposition activity because they were very vague.

Those laws helped bring down the Russian puppet, which caused their sponsor to invade.


19 posted on 01/16/2015 3:20:08 PM PST by GeronL
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To: GeronL

“The invaders need to be wiped out to the last man”

Which “Invaders”?????

The ones from Russia?
The ones from Kiev?
Or the ones from D.C.?


20 posted on 01/16/2015 3:47:47 PM PST by tcrlaf (They told me it could never happen in America. And then it did....)
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