[AnAmericanAbroad]

From the article; “And separatists, who have lost 75 percent of what they once occupied, appear increasingly desperate for assistance.

In a recorded video in late July, Girkin recorded an urgent call for volunteers, expressing dissapointment that so few had decided to take up arms against Kyiv.”
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Well, if the separatists have lost 75% of their territory, and if indeed Donetsk and Lugansk are now cut off from each other, that could be the reason why Girkin and his pals are having trouble attracting volunteers to fight - and die - for his cause.

It’s a losing proposition - the psychology of war. Everyone wants to join up when they’re on a roll; once they start getting their keesters handed to them.....not so much.

In some way, look at ISIS in Iraq - the psychology of war is working in their favor; however, let’s say they suffer a major setback or a catastrophic defeat. Then the psychology of war changes. Suddenly, it’s not longer a matter of “God is on our side” but more a matter of “We done screwed the pooch.”

In both cases, I’m sure there will be die-hards who’ll fight to the last man and the last bullet, which they’ll presumably use on themselves, but once a side start getting it’s butt kicked, they suddenly don’t look so attractive anymore to their sympathizers.

In the case of Girkin, if he doesn’t skedaddle back to Moscow, I suspect he won’t allow himself to be taken alive.

[buwaya]

Critical bit here is indeed public support.
If its not there they have nothing.
Doesn’t matter if Putin gets them more guns or not.
Sounds like what they most lack are recruits.

[Longbow1969]

Uh-oh, our resident Putinista’s aren’t going to like this.

Looks like their darling “separatists” are falling apart - even with Russian weapons (including heavy anti aircraft batteries)crossing the border into their hands.

If this “separatist” movement were so popular with Ukrainian ethnic Russians, you’d think they’d do more. Perhaps they see plainly that this insurgency isn’t home grown at all - just a Russian intelligence/military creation to keep the Ukraine destabilized.

I wonder if our Putinista crowd is actively rooting for a Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine?

[1rudeboy]

Looks like the rats are leaving the ship:

Russian leader of eastern Ukraine rebellion cedes fight to locals.

[UCANSEE2]

"But as Kyiv has moved to surround the last bastions of rebel control, Igor Girkin, known by his nom-de-guerre, Strelkov, or "Shooter," seems to have soured. "

Reminds me of this guy.

[yldstrk]

Wasnt the evil Strelkov in Dr. Zhivago