Posted on 04/05/2015 6:08:01 AM PDT by 1rudeboy
YENAKIEVE, Ukraine – On a recent spring morning, an important visitor watched Russian-backed rebels conduct infantry maneuvers on the sunlit training grounds outside this town in eastern Ukraine.
"The general is very pleased," rebel battalion commander Ostap Cherny told his troops, referring to the figure in camouflage encircled by five armed guards.
The man -- almost certainly a Russian military officer -- became alarmed when he saw two journalists approach. His entourage shielded him from all sides, warning that photos were forbidden, and the group soon sped off in a four-car motorcade, with the "general" safely inside a black Toyota SUV with no license plates.
[snip]
Throughout the conflict and often a few days before a new flashpoint of fighting would erupt, AP reporters would see as many as 80 armored vehicles a day, mostly coming from the direction of the Russian border, carrying troops and towing artillery. Their ultimate origin was impossible to establish, and the rebels strongly discouraged reporters from photographing such convoys or following them.
While rebel commanders avoid talking to journalists about Russia's role in the conflict, separatist fighters routinely confirm that clothing and ammunition are among supplies they receive from Russia.
"Yes, our brothers are supplying us -- you know who," one fighter who goes by the nom de guerre Taicha said in November at a checkpoint in the crossroads town of Krasny Luch. Most rebels won't reveal their full names for fear of retaliation against their families.
Months later, on the front line west of Donetsk, a sniper who goes by the name of Kvadrat, or "Square," showed off his new rifle from Russia. "Uncle Vovka is helping us,"¥ he said, using a nickname for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Too many “accident prone” casualties for home consumption ...
You mean they shoot reporters, heaven forbid, I weep.
Well then, embrace your inner strongman.
Hope this can come to a peaceful end and any ill-gotten lands eventually returned.
They better get someone else to teach them reading maps because Russian soldiers are terrible at it, getting lost 20 km into Ukrainian territory and all.
Even when the Russian regular forces pull back it is still wrong to call Russian irregular mercenaries recruited and supplied in Russia “rebels”.
But MSNBC and the rest are the truth delivered by pure innocents how dare they.
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