Saving Ukraine
"In all other cities, thank God, we are making all the necessary preparations."
"All the polling stations, all the election committees are being formed this week. Ballot papers are now in the process of being printed. We will assure everybody there will be sufficient forces to secure the people."
"There is no question now of joining Russia. Russia is not in a hurry to embrace this part of Ukraine."
Sergei Taruta, official governor of Donetsk
A man jumps over a burning barricade outside Mariupol city hall. Photograph: Marko Djurica/ReutersHaving suffered an ignominious and bloody defeat when seven soldiers were killed in an ambush launched by pro-Russian insurgents at an army checkpoint on the highway linking the towns of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk, the governor of Donetsk, a steel billionaire appointed to his post by Kyiv, has no thought of including Slavyansk in the preparations for the May 25 general election.
According to the defence ministry in Kyiv, a military convoy was fired upon by thirty insurgents while the convoy was in the process of passing under a bridge. The attackers had the use of rocket-propelled grenades and machine guns, managing aside from killing seven Ukrainian soldiers, to wound another eight. The government's "anti-terrorist" initiative has not been a shining success story.
But Mr. Taruta declared that Donetsk is prepared to vote in the May 25 presidential election, transition into an independent "People's Republic", aside. The governor believes that the rebels represent a minority and have the backing of a relative minority of the residents of Donetsk: "This part of Ukraine remains part of Ukraine", he stated.
He has been attempting to negotiate with pro-Russian MPs from Donetsk, proposing a referendum in June that would grant the region greater autonomy. Negotiation with separatist leaders who staged their singular referendum on self-rule concluded on Sunday, was ruled out, however. "Unfortunately there are no leaders who can take all the decisions and be responsible for solutions", he said.
The fury of the people in Mariupol when Ukrainian security forces killed up to 20 people there, has left Kyiv in less control than before the operation took place. The security forces had little option but to abandon Mariupol, turning the city over to the pro-Russian movement, in the face of local fury. A considerable loss considering that it is the second largest city in Donetsk.
In some areas of Donetsk matters have been compromised by police defecting, leaving defence to the army and the National Guard. Soldiers in the National Guard are comprised of locals who now live in fear of reprisals. They often wear masks to conceal their identities for self-protection, while on duty.
Labels: Conflict, Russia, Secession, Ukraine
posted by Pieface @ Thursday, May 15, 2014
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