I would tend to agree.
The US military (and the Russians) has noticeable improvement in training, discipline and weapons discipline since I was in Vietnam. We were good, but not nearly as good as present day soldiers and sailors.
I’ve learned to look closely at photos and consider many things about them as I do....it wasn’t too hard to see that anyone pointing his gun, as these guys did, would have never made it through basic training!
I do believe there are under-groups other than their local militias there. Imo,(and don’t we all have them) I can see Russia sending Chechnian’s to fight the Nazi elements that are increasing in numbers in Ukraine. Which I think is some of what’s happening currently.
Trouble is Kiev Gov. is calling the Pro-Russian Militia’s terroists in order to justify sending troops, (they cannot otherwise without declaring war), because the EU and US will not and cannot support Kiev Government with an unstable environment as is now.....no elections...which I believe the Kiev Gov. prefers there not be.
Russia, on the other hand knows well the US has taken over running things in Ukraine’s Governance and otherwise and embedding US teams to control that.
Not so sure the US would restrain as much as Russia has so far if this was happening on our borders....but then with Obama at the helm he’d not do a thing even then!