WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Kiev considers imposing martial law in Donetsk, Lugansk, “urgently” increases defense budget for ATO soldiers’ salaries, food; Interior Ministry, regional govs organize, arm “territorial defense units” (a.k.a “Black Men”), to wage guerrilla war against Moscow-backed separatists, Azov Battalion operating semi-clandestinely in SE oblasts; military’s decisive victory over insurgents at Donetsk International Airport focuses attention on infiltration of Russian, Serbian nationals into rebel-held regions; Ukrainian authorities ID dead fighters from Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Russian-occupied Crimea (Ukraine), Abkhazia (Georgia); notorious Russian mercenary killed during battle for Donetsk airport, Zhdanovich at training camp in Rostov-on-Don on May 19 before stealing into Ukraine with “truckloads” of other mercs; possible internal coup among separatists as Russian-led “Vostok Battalion” evicts supporters of “Donetsk People’s Republic” from HQ, removes barri- cades; rebels in Slavyansk, under command of GRU officer Strelkov, shoot down yet another Ukrainian helo, 14 soldiers killed, including National Guard Gen. Kulchytskiy; Ponomarev, “people’s mayor” of rebel stronghold, admits comrades holding 4 OSCE monitors, refuses to disclose location

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USSR2 File: De facto president of Abkhazia decries “armed coup attempt” after protesters hold large anti-government demo in Sukhumi, storm presidential building, state TV center on May 27, accuse Ankvab of authoritarianism, demand resignation, reforms; Russian Security Council official Nurgaliyev, Putin aide Surkov rush to capital of Russian-occupied region, confer with Ankvab, opposition leaders behind closed doors; de facto PM Lakerbaya speaks to reporters, does not rule out government resignation; Russian army invaded Georgia’s breakaway regions of Abkhazia, S. Ossetia in August 2008, Kremlin bars observers of EU Monitoring Mission from entering Abkhazia

source 1 source 2

EU/USA Files: NATO observes uptick in Russian espio- nage—already more pervasive than during Cold War— since beginning of Ukraine crisis: Hungarian MEP, Jobbik politician accused of spying for Russia, neo-fascists deny allegations in wake of growing popularity, state prosecutor confirms investigation, pro-Russian Bela “Bond” Kovacs studied in Soviet Union in mid-1980s, only returned to Hungary in 2003; Hungarian military: Russia infiltrating SVR into positions of sensitive political importance in Budapest; Germany’s BfV: One third of Russian embassy staff in Berlin spies, wining and dining politicians, businessmen; Prague Post: “Latest developments in Ukraine have stepped up the activities of Russian agents in the West,” Czech diplomat: Russians funded “anti-radar base” protests in effort to scuttle Bush Admin’s NMD plans in 2008; Lithuania accuses Russian diplomat of bribing civil servant for data on country’s EU presidency; FBI urges hi-tech companies to be wary of Russian venture capital, Boston division: Skolkovo Foundation must be “watched closely” in view of partnership with MIT

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5 source 6 source 7

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Kiev claims success as military retakes Donetsk’s Sergey Prokofiev International Airport from pro-Russia militants, Ava- kov: “The airport is under our full control. The enemy suffered heavy losses. We have none”; up to 40 gunmen of “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR) killed, may have been attempting to prevent visit by President-Elect Poroshenko; ATO spokesman: Rebels must vacate all state buildings or face “precision weaponry”; self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic rejects validity of Ukrainian election, Bolotov alleges DPR leader surrendered to Ukrainian army, denounces Pushilin as “traitor,” target for “liquidation”; State Border Guard Service near Biriukove, Lugansk repels rebel arms convoy as militants try to cross border from Russia, gun battle ensues, incursion thwarted; Ukrainian border guards near Dmytrivka, Donetsk observe large inva- sion force on Russian side: “Up to 40 Kamaz trucks with armed men are concentrated, ready to cross the state border”; 2nd column of 50 trucks spotted oppo- site Rovenky, Lugansk; Interior Ministry forms 3rd National Guard battalion for ATO; unknown persons occupy Communist Party office in Dnipropetrovsk overnight, reds facing ban

In spite of Putin’s apparent willingness to accept the results of Ukrainian election, it is clear he still intends to destabilize and ingest Russia’s neighbor, using proxies for now. If the so-called people’s republics in Donetsk and Lugansk can consolidate their hold on the two regions, then Russian Ground Forces can follow later.

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5 source 6 source 7 source 8

Blast from the Past File: Poland’s last communist leader dies at age 90, Wojciech Jaruzelski imposed martial law in 1981 to crush dissent as alternative to Soviet military intervention, justified actions in 2005 interview: “The structures of the state were paralyzed. . . . A general strike was imminent. We were staring hunger, cold, and blackout in the face”; Jaruzelski one of several Warsaw Pact generals to plan 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia, carried out orders to suppress 1970 workers’ revolts in Gdansk, leaving 44 people dead, hundreds injured, purged Jews from Polish army in 1971; 1996 parliamen- tary commission dominated by “ex”-communist party spared Jaruzelski a trial before state tribunal over martial law (go figure); Red Army deported Jaruzelski family to Siberian gulag in 1939, young Wojciech afflicted with snow blindness, later known for trade- mark tinted glasses, drab olive military uniform

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EU File: Fascism resurgent amidst Eurocrisis: Extreme, Eurosceptic, populist parties–angered by Muslim immi- gration, austerity measures, unemployment–more than double representation in European Parliament, stun- ning election results present dominant centrist bloc with “unprecedented challenge from noisy insurgents”; France’s National Front thrusts past ruling Socialists, secures first-ever top spot at European level, PM Valls bewails neo-fascist victory as “political earthquake”; Britain’s UKIP trounces ruling Conservatives, opposi- tion Labour, draws 30% of voters; Germany’s neo-Nazi NPD picks up historic first MEP, while Austria’s Freedom Party secures 4 seats, up 2; Denmark’s anti-establishment People’s Party achieves first place, Netherlands’ anti-Islam Freedom Party, Hungary’s anti-Jewish/anti-Gypsy Jobbik both score second position; Greece’s Eurocommunist Syriza pushes past ruling right-wing New Democracy, Socialists, grabs 2 regional governments, including Attica (Athens); neo-Nazi Golden Dawn dodges incarceration of party leaders on charges of murder, arson, extortion, sends 3 MEPs to Brussels

source 1 source 2 source 3

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Ukrainian fighter jets launch air strikes against Donetsk’s Sergey Prokofiev International Airport, helicopters disgorge paratroopers after several dozen pro-Russia insurgents seize facility, set up anti-aircraft batteries; Kiev issued ultimatum to gunmen from “Donetsk People’s Repub- lic,” police cordon off airport, smoke seen billowing from buildings; follows Sunday’s landslide election of “chocolate king” Poroshenko as president, national voter turnout 60% but Kremlin-backed militants shut down 80% of polling stations in Donetsk, Lugansk oblasts; businessman turned politician vows speedy suppression of insurgency, closer relations with West: “Peace in the country and peace in the east is my main priority,” “The anti-terrorist operation cannot and should not last 2 or 3 months. It should and will last hours”; FM Lavrov: Russia willing to enter talks with Ukraine’s new president, preconditions include ending government ATO in SE oblasts, no mediation by EU, USA; SBU accuses former chief Yakymenko of running arms from occupied Crimea to separatists

source 1 source 2 source 3

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Three days before Ukrainian vote, pro-Russia separatists impede 50% of election officials in Donetsk, Lugansk oblasts, steal computers, documents; Kiev condemns attempt by Kremlin-backed militants to smuggle weapons, ammo into Lugansk from Russia, violation of airspace by Rus- sian Mi-8 helicopter in Sumy region, Min. of Foreign Affairs: “These and other provocations by Russian side in Ukraine are . . . attempts to disrupt the presidential elections on 25 May and destabilize . . . the E. region of our country”; insurgents attack army checkpoint near village of Blahodatne, 30 km S. of Donetsk city, kill at least 11 soldiers; Parubiy: Russia trained more than 1,000 insurgents at “big military base” near Rostov-on-Don over past 2 years [i.e., long before Yanukovich’s ouster]; Chechen gunmen fighting on behalf of Donetsk, Lugansk “people’s republics”; Russian Communist Party, Just Russia rail against Kiev’s “fascist” plan to suppress Ukrainian reds; Kiev think tank: Collapse of Party of Regions, ban could drive CPU into “radical opposition” as only remaining “voice” for SE oblasts; Right Sector, Automaidan to patrol polling stations, including in rebel-held regions

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5

source 6 source 7 source 8 source 9 source 10

Communist Bloc Military Updates: Putin yet again assures West of peaceful intentions, orders troop pull- back ahead of Ukraine’s presidential vote; NATO chief Rasmussen: No “visible evidence” of Russian with- drawal; Moscow unilaterally shelves 2001 deal with Lithuania, ends military inspections in Kaliningrad; S. Korea deploys warships, surveillance planes to E. China Sea as Russia, Red China hold 3rd joint maritime drill; Beijing’s no-fly zone overlaps with Seoul’s, Tokyo’s ADIZs; Sino-Russian naval exercise coincides with Putin’s trip to Beijing, meeting with Xi Jinping, pro- ceeds amid Senkaku-Diaoyu dispute with Toyko, Taipei; Russian warships make port of call at Shanghai ahead of Joint Sea 2014; Russo-Mongolian ground forces exer- cise “Selenga-2014” to take place in Aug.; US missile cruiser Vella Gulf to enter Black Sea this week; fearing former Russian overlord’s aggression in Ukraine, Poland accepts delivery of first 50 of 105 German-built Leopard 2A5 main battle tanks

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5 source 6 source 7

Latin America File: Russia accuses USA, allies of start- ing “second Cold War” over Ukraine crisis, imposing anti-Kremlin sanctions, refuses to disavow annexing Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Lugansk; retaliates by meddling in “America’s backyard,” consolidates old/ new relations with communist regimes in Havana, Managua, Caracas; FM Lavrov: Russia needs “naval stations” in W. Hemisphere to refuel, repair warships, Russian companies to join Hong Kong-led consortium in building inter-oceanic canal across Nicaragua; Russian media: Russian warships, aircraft to patrol Nicaragua’s Caribbean, Pacific coasts, deter “provoca- tions” targeting canal megaproject; Col. Alejandro Castro Espin leads Cuban delegation to Moscow, meets with leaders of SVR/FSB; Russian Security Council, Cuba’s Commission for National Security and Defense ink cooperation memo, form joint working group; Venezuelan army tests Russian-built MRLs in W. state, near Colombia, recent history of tensions between Caracas, Bogota

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5 source 6

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: 200 heavily armed Moscow-backed separatists show up at border crossing in Lugansk Oblast, Ukraine, demand release of self-styled “people’s governor,” Bolotov received medi- cal treatment in Russia for wounds sustained in May 13 “assassination attempt,” new firefight with border guards ensues, rebel leader rescued; facing party ban for allegedly fomenting regional secessionism, Com- munist boss Symonenko drops out of presidential race (good riddance); 6,000 NATO troops, including military forces from UK, USA, carry out Steadfast Javelin 1 exercise in Estonia, repel hypothetical invasion of former Soviet republic, exercise includes infantry, anti-aircraft and recon units, engineers, fighter jets, cyber security team; Baltic states nervous over Russia’s annexation of Crimea

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Thousands of miners, steelworkers rise up against Moscow-backed separatist regime in Donetsk Oblast, establish patrols in 5 cities, including regional capital, seize power from rebels in Mariupol, urge longshoremen to join national unity movement; Ukrainian flags fly outside coastal city’s two steel mills; self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic elects Russian neo-fascist as PM, Borodai former dep. editor of ultranationalist Zavtra, moves in Eurasianist/Red-Brown/National Bolshevik circles with Dugin, Prokhanov; SBU intercepted phone calls from Russian special forces in Donetsk to Borodai’s Moscow number; armed Don Cossacks occupy electoral commis- sion bldg. in Krasnyi Luch, demand Ukrainian authori- ties cease preps for presidential vote; military expert maintains Russian army poised to invade Lugansk Oblast, commanders received orders to carry out “peace -keeping mission” in Ukraine; Kiev to close border with Russia in case rebels, local residents try to block, seize checkpoints

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5 source 6 source 7

Russian neo-fascists, Borodai colleagues to gather under “anti-fascist” banner in Helsinki, discuss situation in Ukraine, future of “Great Russia”: source 8

Alexander Dugin bio

Alexander Prokhanov bio

 

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Ukrainian army destroys 2 insurgent bases near Slaviansk, Krama- torsk, Donetsk Oblast, no casualties, 3 rebels captured; pro-Russia separatists abduct National Guard regional cmdr. on May 12, Kiev uncertain of Col. Lebid’s loca- tion; government-backed Dnepr, Donbass Volunteer Battalions train for guerrilla war against separatists; UK’s center-left Guardian: Kremlin propaganda about Right Sector threat against Russophones “exaggerated”; Kiev demands Moscow withdraw troops from border as pre-condition for “road map” to peace, condemns Russian Air Force drill to take place N. of rebel-held Lugansk Oblast May 21-26, during Ukraine’s presiden- tial vote; Russian naval aviation pilots carry out bomb- ing drills in Kaliningrad; Tusk: “The NATO presence . . . should be greater in Baltic countries, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria . . . where we have a border with an unstable region”; Czechs chicken out, recall 1968 Soviet invasion, side with Slovaks, question need for NATO troops on territory

If Putin has not reacted to the call of the ‘Donetsk People’s Republic’ to make it a part of Russia, it does not mean he gave up the Donbass region. On the contrary, I don’t doubt that Russia will start military action by the election on May 25 and call it a ‘peacekeeping operation in eastern Ukraine’. By the way, Belarus will take part in the ‘operation’ too. Lukashenka made a clear hint lately. Putin wants not only the Donbass region, but also entire Ukraine, Transnistria, a part of Latvia and Estonia. A new Russian Empire is the only state that would require Putin as president. Putin is under strong pressure from overexcited Russian patriots, whom he agitated.

— Konstantin Borovoy, former Russian Federation State Duma deputy, Party of Economic Freedom, former general manager of Russian Trading System; quoted by Charter 97, May 14, 2014

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5 source 6 source 7 source 8

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Ukraine’s Acting President Turchynov joins movement to suppress Communist Party, orders Justice Ministry to investigate legality of ban: “Too much information and materials about Communist Party representatives’ complicity in organisation of terrorist and separatist action. I’d like to consider this matter and, if any evidence, to submit to court the materials seeking prohibition of the Communist Party in Ukraine”; takes umbrage to party boss Symonenko’s description of Ukrainian soldiers as “executioners,” accuses red leader of backing separatists, regurgitating Kremlin propaganda: “You have neither conscience nor honour. Take your place, liar. I direct you to discontinue your speech”

source 1 source 2

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Amid Russia’s occupation of Crimea, secession of 2 more Ukrainian regions with intent to join Russian Federation, US Strategic Command conducts nuclear war game, “Global Lightning 14″ military drill involves 10 B-52, 6 B-2 strategic bombers “to deter, dissuade, and defeat current and future threats to the U.S. and our allies”; US Defense Secretary Hagel: “Russia is an adversary in Ukraine, sure”; follows Russian Armed Forces exercise “simulating a U.S. and NATO nuclear attack”; NATO chief Rasmussen to visit Romania May 15-16, reassure ex-communist state of support in face of Russian aggression in neighboring Ukraine; Romania, Russia exchange sharp words after Bucharest, Kiev close airspaces to Russian Dep. PM’s plane, trap Rogozin in landlocked Moldova after visiting rebel regime of Transnistria, force Russian leader to depart country via Chisinau, authorities seize petition for Transnistrian accession to Russia; vindictive Rogozin threatens to fly over Romania in “Blackjack” bomber

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Separatist regimes in Donetsk, Lugansk proclaim victory in illegal May 11 referenda, declare independence, intent to join Russia, abstain from Ukraine’s May 25 presidential election; 2 regions together contain 14% of Ukraine’s 45 million people, 1/3 of country’s industrial output; Pushilin, co-leader of so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR): “Based on the will of the people and on the restoration of historic justice, we ask the Russian Federation to consider the absorption of the [DPR] . . . into the Russian Federation”; Ponomaryov, self-styled mayor of rebel stronghold Slaviansk, demands Ukrainian troops withdraw: “We’re going to defend our territory. . . . We need Russian troops to provide stability and a peaceful life in the region’s future”; Russian Foreign Ministry cautions: “We believe that the results of the referendum should be brought to life within the framework of dialogue between Kiev, Donetsk and Luhansk”; Van Rompuy, president of European Council, in Kiev: “We will not recognize the so-called referendums . . . They are illegal, illegitimate and incredible”; rebels ambush, kill 6 Ukrainian soldiers after “long shootout” in village of Oktyabrski, 20 km from Kramatorsk

source 1 source 2

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Victory Day fire at Kiev TV Tower disrupts programming, Mayor Bondarenko blames “short circuit” while Dep. Sec. of National Security and Defence Council blames Moscow, maintains saboteurs, in spite of “heavy security,” managed to access, burn shaft carrying cables between world’s tallest freestanding lattice steel structure and Kiev Telecenter, HQ of National Television and Radio Company; Viktoria Siumar: “The logic of Russian special services is still based on Lenin’s teachings about priority ‘post, telephone, telegraph’”

source 1 source 2

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Avakov: Sixty pro-Russia gunmen attack Mariupol police station, armored government units counter assault, 21 rebels killed, key buildings in coastal city trade hands multiple times over past 2 days; Yatseniuk visits troops near rebel stronghold of Slaviansk, praises soldiers’ fighting spirit, promises sufficient weaponry; Ukrainian cities curtail Victory Day events as Russia stages Soviet-style military parade in Moscow, Putin puts in appearance in Crimea, “greeted by screaming crowds,” US National Security Council: “Such a visit will only serve to fuel tensions”; Ukraine’s largest bank closes branches in rebel-held Donetsk, Lugansk oblasts, cash machines dry up ahead of illegal May 11 referendum; Right Sector militants reportedly attack 2 printing offices in Donetsk city, destroy 1 million ballots; pro-Ukrainian militias organize with discreet backing of Interior, Defense Ministries, regional authorities; crazy political stunt- man Zhirinovsky personally delivered armored vehicle to Lugansk rebels by breaking through border post

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4

source 5 source 6 source 7 source 8

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Putin: 1) hosts leaders of CSTO states in Moscow, Lukashenko says Belarus, Russia should “coordinate joint activities in regard to situation in Ukraine” (i.e., more military intervention?); 2) observes exercises “simulating massive retaliatory nuclear strike in response to enemy [i.e., NATO] attack,” includes Topol ICBM launch from Plesetsk, NW Russia, nuke subs of N., Pacific Fleets fire SLBMs; 3) attends “urgent” meeting of Russian Security Council, discusses Ukraine crisis; Royal Navy destroyer “shadows” Russia’s Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, missile cruiser in English Channel; Parubiy scoffs at Putin’s claims about troop pullback, alludes to Zhirinovsky stunt: “Tonight an attack was carried out on a border unit on the border of Donetsk and Luhansk regions from the Russian Federation”; Fatherland MP Brygynets: Lugansk separatists to hold two referenda, 2nd vote to advocate accession to RF, Russian troops welcomed by May 21-22; Ukraine braces for Moscow-backed Victory Day provocations: Party of Regions, Communists plan demos in Kiev, Kharkiv; US State Dept. warns citizens to “defer all non-essential travel to Ukraine,” “all travel to Crimea and E. regions”

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5 source 6 (Ukrainian)

source 7 source 8 source 9 source 10

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Ukrainian Security Service: 1) tapes phone call between veteran Russian neo-Nazi leader in Moscow, “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR) rep. Boitsov, former pleads for Krem- lin military intervention, Russian National Unity (PHE) chief Barkashov urges separatist to falsify results of illegal May 11 referendum, declare independence as fait accompli; 2) releases self-proclaimed “people’s gover- nor” of DPR in exchange for 3 captive SBU officers held by Slaviansk rebels, Gubarev ex-member of PHE, far-left PSPU; 3) detains 8 Ukrainians, 1 Russian en route from Russian-occupied Transnistria to SE oblasts, 1.5 kg of uranium-235 founded in car, dirty bomb plot during mass demos suspected; 4) warns 27 city mayors against adopting separatist sentiments, threatens life imprisonment; leading presidential candidate Poro- shenko urges EU, USA to implement “third wave” of sanctions against Russia

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WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Russian Spetsnaz carry out obvious military op in Ukraine’s Lugansk Oblast as 20 masked gunmen storm radar station 5 km from Sverdlovsk, at 4 a.m., May 6, set fire to facility; armed pro-Russia separatists seize control of main government bldg. in regional railway hub of Debaltseve, 2 large thermal power plants 45 miles NE of Donetsk city; Donetsk airport: International flights still suspended as of May 7, contrary to earlier report of resumption; Kiev bans Russian airliners from landing at Kharkiv, Donetsk as of May 2; Zhirinovsky, vice chairman of Russia’s State Duma: 1) urges Russia, Belarus to invade strife-torn Ukraine by May 9, Luka- shenko’s troops to occupy NW oblasts; 2) illegally enters Ukraine on May 7, offers LDPR’s Tiger IMV to Lugansk rebels, “Southeast Army” commander Bolotov welcomes donation; Russian neo-fascist showed up in Sevastopol during early hours of Moscow’s covert military invasion, extended Russian citizenship to Crimeans; Lugansk militia leader in Moscow early Apr., met with Zhirinovsky, Mironov

The entire country will breathe freely and will be able to celebrate another victory. Our leadership will take a range of measures to provide security of citizens of the southeast [of Ukraine] and make the armed groups [i.e., Right Sector] retreat. The operation, which the Kyiv authorities call counter-terrorism, is being carried out to leave Ukraine united under the Nazi regime [i.e., Prime Minister Yatseniuk’s interim government], make it a NATO member and then use subversive squads to disturb our western regions – Kuban, Voronezh, Rostov, Kursk and Belgorod.

— Vladimir Zhirinovsky, Vice Chairman of Russian Federation State Duma, comments made on Russkaya Sluzhba Novostei radio

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4

source 5 source 6 source 7 source 8

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Putin once again alleges Russian troop pullback from Ukrainian border, urges pro-Russia separatists in Donetsk Oblast to postpone illegal May 11 referendum on regional status; RF president to hold “informal” talks with presidents of Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan on May 8, visiting leaders to attend Russian Armed Forces command exercise; Moscow’s Transneft halts diesel exports to Ukraine, Hungary, potentially cramps fuel supply for Ukrainian Army MBTs, APCs; NATO official: “We have no indication of a change in the position of military forces along the Ukraine border”; Pushilin, co-leader of so-called Donetsk People’s Republic: “We have the utmost respect for President Putin”; Ukrainian troops: 1) encircle rebel stronghold of Slaviansk, advance on separatist positions, incur 14 casualties, 4th army combat helicopter downed on May 5; 2) retake Mariupol city admin. bldg. from separatists, hours after ouster insurgents return, remove Ukrainian flag; Avakov: Rebel “defense minister” Igor Kakidzya- nov among detainees in coastal city; Kiev: Separatists installed antitank rockets at Slaviansk roadblocks, Crimean Cossacks appeared in flashpoint city

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5 source 6 source 7

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Amid NATO standoff with Russia over Ukraine crisis, Pentagon tracks “drastic” surge in Russian strategic aviation patrols around Japan, Korea, flights to Guam, US West Coast; 30 pro-Russia separatists killed in 5 days of fighting in rebel stronghold of Slaviansk; Kiev briefly suspends international flights at Donetsk airport, eTurboNews: “Ukrainian authorities control this airport. . . . [T]hey want to avoid to have Russian special forces or agents arrive from Moscow or indirectly from Moscow via Istanbul” (i.e., like Soviet special ops at Prague airport, Aug. 1968); 30 militants armed with RPGs surround Interior Ministry base in Donetsk city, demand troops not join government ATO, leave; uncon- firmed reports of Russian irregulars, Cossacks enter- ing Ukraine’s Lugansk Oblast, setting up SAMs with complicity of Antratsyt District authorities; follows armed seizure of police HQ in border city of Antratsyt on Apr. 30, city council on May 5, raising of Russian, Don Cossack flags; “Lugansk People’s Republic” backs illegal May 11 vote on regional status; Moldova places borders on alert after Moscow-backed Transnistrian agents carry out deadly provocations, fire in Odessa; Ukraine Rada expels Communist faction for separatist (i.e., pro-Moscow) comments, Transnistrian Commun- ists back “independence” (i.e., RF accession)

It is a well-known fact that the ‘liberation’ of Czechoslovakia in August 1968 began with the arrival at Prague airport of Soviet military transport planes with VDV troops on board. The airborne troops did not need parachutes; the planes simply landed at the airport. Before the troops disembarked there was a moment when both the aircraft and their passengers were completely defenceless. Was the Soviet high command not taking a risk? No, because the fact is that by the time the planes landed, Prague airport had already been largely paralysed by a group of ‘tourists’ who had arrived earlier.

— Viktor Suvorov, “Behind Enemy Lines: Spetsnaz Tactics” (Chapter 11), Spetsnaz: The Story behind the Soviet SAS (London, 1987)

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5 source 6

source 7 source 8 source 9 source 10 source 11

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Russian strategic aviation spotted over Simferopol on May 4, including Tu-160 supersonic bombers, heavy transport planes, air tankers, MiG-29 fighter jets; Putin expected to visit occupied Crimea on May 9, after attending Victory Day military parade in Moscow; Polish PM Tusk: Russia “waging undeclared war” on Ukraine; Kiev’s ATO against pro-Russia separatists in Donetsk Oblast enters 4th day of fighting, 4 Interior Ministry troops killed, 30 injured storming rebel stronghold of Slaviansk, civilian casualties; 800 insurgents deploy large-caliber weapons, mortars, shoot down 3rd army Mi-24 Hind heavy attack helicopter, crew survives; Ukrainian forces retake TV tower in Kramatorsk, injured in clash with separatists at TV station in Kon- stantinovka, expel occupiers from city admin. building in coastal city of Mariupol; roadblocks set up around Kiev to prevent Victory Day provocations; 2nd National Guard battalion arrives in Odessa to restore order after Moscow-backed mayhem, bloodshed

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5

source 6 source 7 source 8 source 9

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Ukrainian Interior Ministry announces military retakes SBU building in rebel-held Kramatorsk, National Guard to protect; pro-Russia separatists in Slaviansk release OSCE team after 8-day captivity; Kremlin rails over yesterday’s Odessa clashes, deadly fire: “Kiev and its Western sponsors are practically provoking the bloodshed and bear direct responsibility for it,” dismisses planned May 25 presidential election as “absurd”; pro-Ukraine, pro-Russia demonstrators in formerly quiescent SW port city clash for 2nd day, confrontation occurs outside burnt-out trade union building; Moscow steps on Muslim toes: Russian elite troops block passage of Tatar leader from mainland Ukraine into occupied Crimea, shoot weapons into air to disperse 1,000s of Tatars gathered at unrecognized border to welcome Jemilev; SBU locates training center for ”anti-Ukrainian diversionists” in Feodosiya

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Ukraine’s ATO chief Gen. Krutov says “heavy fighting in E. town of Kramatorsk, S. of rebel stronghold Slaviansk,” no mere “short-lived uprising,” instead “war,” offers few details; pro-Ukraine demonstrators in Odessa break off from national unity rally, corner pro-Russia attackers in trade union building, structure torched, 38 perish, succumbing to smoke, jumping from upper-story windows; militants in both camps brandish air pistols, lob improvised grenades, Molotov cocktails, cobble- stones; Right Sector present in running street battles, neo-fascists claim “paid Russian separatists” armed with guns, police confirm 3 additional people shot dead; Pravy Sektor “aims to completely clear Odessa of pro-Russians”; SBU: Deposed president Yanukovich’s “inner circle,” “illegal military groups” from Trans- nistria “involved” in Odessa provocation, most of the dead from Moldova’s breakaway region

source 1 source 2 source 3 source 4 source 5

WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: Ukrainian military launches sustained ATO against rebel-held Slaviansk, thrusts past checkpoints, reportedly regains control of one half of city, Turchynov: “Many insur- gents dead, wounded and arrested,” “Armed saboteurs attempted to cross into Ukraine from Russia overnight, pushed back by border troops”; SBU: “Highly skilled foreign military men” fired SAM to down 1 of 2 army helicopters, 1 pilot, 1 serviceman killed, 2nd pilot wounded, captured, DM demands release; Rossiya 24 TV quotes rebel commander, Russian GRU officer Strelkov: “City completely sealed off”; pro-Russia separatists: 1) attempt to hijack Moscow-Mariupol train during stop in Slaviansk, thwarted by ATO unit; 2) seize railway control center near Yasynuvata, N. of Donetsk city, stopping all train service in E. Ukraine; May 1: Putin to Merkel: Ukraine must withdraw troops from SE oblasts; Russian FM warns “Kiev regime’s” planned assault against Slaviansk could lead to “catastrophic consequences”; May 2: Kremlin: “Authorities in Kiev have destroyed last hope for Geneva Accords”; Russia calls for emergency UNSC meeting; 100s of baton-wielding pro-Moscow extremists attack national unity rally of 1,500 people in largely quiescent SW port city of Odessa, 3 killed

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WW4 File: UKRAINE, RUSSIA AT WAR: NATO No. 2: “Post”-Soviet Russia no longer “partner,” but “adver- sary”; Moscow May Day parade lauds Putin, 1,000s of trade unionists wave flags of RF, president’s United Russia party; pro-Russia separatists, Ukrainian riot police clash outside state prosecutor’s office in rebel-held city of Donetsk; 1,000 Communists, Putinists march through Kharkiv, Jewish mayor in Israeli hospi- tal after assassination attempt; Kiev mayoral candidate Klitschko warns Communist Party “preparing massive separatist provocations in E. Ukraine”; Right Sector seized CPU’s regional office in W. city of Rivne on Apr. 11, party boss Symonenko accused neo-fascists of torch- ing national HQ; Kiev: 1) expels (belatedly) Russian military attache, charged with spying; 2) bans Russian Unity Party, political vehicle of self-proclaimed PM of occupied Crimea; 3) reinstates compulsory military service for men aged 18-25; 4) dismisses commanders of SBU’s Alpha unit in rebellious Donetsk, Lugansk oblasts, charged with “sabotage,” appoints loyalists; State Guard holds night-time exercise in Kiev, agency tasked with protecting top Ukrainian officials

Cold War 2, anyone?

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