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Putin's 'Gunman' Demanding More Russian Support in Ukraine
newsmax.com ^ | July 25, 2014 | Sandy Fitzgerald

Posted on 07/25/2014 12:51:01 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe

The Russian commander in charge of separatist militia forces in Ukraine has a warning for Russia President Vladimir Putin: Lose Ukraine and you'll lose your power.

Col. Igor Strelkov, a former commander of Russian special forces during the Chechen war in 2011, has been commanding rebel units with the MH17 in Ukraine, reports The Daily Beast.

His command is under direction from Moscow, but made up of unprofessional fighters, not normal Russian military, and his troops have been losing to advancing troops from the Donetsk Ukrainia Anti-Terror Operation Forces.

And then last week, Strelkov was labeled a possible war criminal after an anti-aircraft missile blamed on his troops shot down Malaysia Air Flight 17.

But that hasn't slowed down his argument that he will need more Russian military support to keep his troops from losing the Ukraine, and he has warned that if the war is lost, it will threaten both the Kremlin and Putin.

Strelkov's adviser, Igor Druzd, said in an article for the Russian publication Ruskline on Wednesday, said that Putin will either need to send in the army and win control or lose his presidency, a choice that ousted Ukrainian President Victor Yanukovych had to face.

"I hope that the Ukrainian tragedy will neither become the tragedy of Russia nor the personal tragedy of Putin," wrote Druzd.

According to Ukrainian authorities, Russia has already deployed heavy weapons and are already fighting in eastern Ukraine. Further, they maintain the Kremlin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu are controlling Strelkov's actions.

Anton Geraschenko, adviser to Ukraine's Ministry of Interior Affairs, told The Daily Beast that his government has proven without a doubt that Strelkov, along with other leaders, are being "instructed directly by Shoygu."

(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Russia
KEYWORDS: mh17

1 posted on 07/25/2014 12:51:01 PM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
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To: Tailgunner Joe

LOL—Strelkov: “Comrade Vladimirovich, the Ukrainian fascists will march on Moscow next.”


2 posted on 07/25/2014 12:54:33 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
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To: Tailgunner Joe

Can we PLEASE give the Ukrainians some cruise missiles to take out this murdering jackass?


3 posted on 07/25/2014 1:49:42 PM PDT by vladimir998
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To: Tailgunner Joe

It sounds like Strelkov is worried that he might be seeing the Hague sooner rather than later.


4 posted on 07/25/2014 1:50:37 PM PDT by Uncle Chip
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