Quote:
Originally Posted by Pointman
This NY Times investigation claims that Russia's influence over those rebels is not quite as obvious, as it was thought to be. They appeared to be Ukrainians without any Russian master giving them any orders.
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Yeah, I read a really good report on the topic actually (from a Finnish anarchist who has lived in Russia for a long time, so somebody who seriously has no skin in that game).
That said, it's clear that there is some Russian influence. But it's really more complicated than "Putin stirring up trouble for his own political gain."
Unfortunately it's in Finnish so no point in linking it, but I think basicly his personal take was this; it's complicated, and it's not even really just two sides.
The almost-sad side of the story was descriptions how some local Ukrainians have actually formed human barricades between the fighting sides, and how the polls pretty clearly state that neither the pro-Russians or the Kiev government has anything even close to a popular backing.
Things seem to be irrevocably sliding towards a civil war in East Ukraine. The Odessa burning was really just the apex of a cycle of violence, where pro-Russians and "nationalist" groups have been killing each other.
It has also become clear that the Kiev government is simply unable to mobilize the army to put an end to this. They simply don't have the support. If the Russians did clearly cross the border with troops, things might turn quickly though.
In any case, there's a chance Ukraine goes full Yugoslavia pretty soon.