Ukraine: Fighting Resumes as President Vows to 'Liberate Our Lands'

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Early today Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko declared the end of a ceasefire with the separatist militias in the nation's east.

Alleging that the militants "defiantly violated the ceasefire regime more than 100 times" over the last 10 days, Poroshenko stated his plan going forward:

We will attack and liberate our land. Termination of ceasefire is our response to terrorists, insurgents, marauders, everyone who tortures civilians, paralyzes the economy of the region, disrupts payments of salaries, pensions, scholarships, blasts the railroad, destroys the water pipes and deprives people of normal peaceful life.

Today's operation includes airstrikes and artillery fire "at the strategic points of the terrorists," a military official said.

The Ukrainian president also criticized Russia's efforts to de-escalate the situation as merely "symbolic. … We haven't seen tangible measures on de-escalation of the situation and enhancement of control over the border."

Indeed, some separatists openly say they themselves are Chechen mercenaries on orders from Russia. Likewise, the militants increasing firepower, such as several tanks that crossed the border from Russia in June, leave little doubt about who is fanning the flames. Despite the armistice, "27 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed and 69 wounded" in the last week and a half, reports Reuters.

Russia blames the U.S. for the renewed combat. "The change in Kiev's position … could not have come about without influence from abroad," the nation's foreign ministry insists.

A Pentagon press release yesterday suggested that more U.S. troops may be sent to NATO countries near Ukraine in response to the unresolved crisis.

Although the White House has not yet commented on today's developments, Secretary of State John Kerry last Thursday threatened that Russia had only "hours, literally" to demonstrate that it would rein in the separatists. However, the U.S. has implemented no new sanctions or taken other actions since then.

Comments

[Swiss Servator, CH yeah!]

"Although the White House has not yet commented on today's developments, Secretary of State John Kerry last Thursday threatened that Russia had only "hours, literally" to demonstrate that it would rein in the separatists."

Well, that should see Putin shaking violently, as he stands in a puddle of his own urine, pissing himself in fear.

Oh, wait, I mean that should have Putin shaking with laughter as he wipes away tears of mirth.

[MegaloMonocle]

Well, Kerry never said how many hours, did he?

[MegaloMonocle]

This is gonna get tricky if/when the Ukrainians blow up some of those invading Russian tanks now in their country. Hard for Putin not to escalate when that happens.

[Rhywun]

NO SPOILERS.

[Drake]

I hope they paid for the insurance coverage from Vlad's rent-a-tank.

[MegaloMonocle]

One other thought:

We have a crapload of Warthogs which our fighter jock Air Force is desperate to junk.

I say we give them to our pals in the old Soviet empire, with training. No better tool for putting a stop to Russian armor, or ground support generally.

[Anonymous Coward]

Although the White House has not yet commented on today's developments, Secretary of State John Kerry last Thursday threatened that Russia had only "hours, literally" to demonstrate that it would rein in the separatists.

This is why pantywaists in government should not play tough-guys. It's also why I laugh when people claim ballerina Rahm is a tough guy. Legit tough guys don't focus test well with soccer moms and skinny jean-wearing limp-wristed millenials.

[Notorious G.K.C.]

As an American, I don't think a war with Russia is in my country's interests, and I'm willing to face up to the consequences of that belief - that Ukraine, with which I sympathize, may get beaten by its more powerful neighbor.

I'm not going to pretend that Putin is a nice guy, or that the two sides are morally equivalent.

[libertreee]

Ukraine was a neocon operation to spread "democracy" which means as Harry Truman put it, " The US will help those who think like us be themselves". Putin is an autocrat. Surely one can appreciate the punk rebellion, plight of gays in Russia without denying that Russia has legitimate state interests which include a buffer zone on its western border against the EU/ US who it sees as existential threats. Would we tolerate Russian involvement in the OAS under our Monroe Doctrine?

NATO should have been abandoned after the collapse of communism. Victoria Nuland,is wife of Robert Kagan, the most bloodthirsty of neocons. Us politicians rabble roused in Kiev with no concern over consequences that overturning an elected government by violence would produce.
Maidan rebels had signed an agreement in Feb that would have held new elections. But Yanucovich went on a trip and the Maidans, led by the Neo Nazi Right Sector, stormed the presidential palace and installed a new government by force.

Putin was in violation of international law in his stealth takeover of the Crimea but he did not want one of the few ports that land locked Russia has to be controlled by the hostile EU/US.

There is no consensus that Russian tanks have crossed into the Ukraine. Pictures of them in eastern Ukraine are inconclusive as to origin. Pictures of rebels that were attempted to be matched to Chechian mercenaries were debunked.
The last thing we need is to blunder into a new cold war, or worse

[Swiss Servator, CH yeah!]

"that Russia has legitimate state interests which include a buffer zone on its western border against the EU/ US who it sees as existential threats."

And the people living in that "buffer zone" apparently have no rights vs Russian colonization.

[MegaloMonocle]

Putin was in violation of international law in his stealth takeover of the Crimea but

See, you were good right up until "but". Then you made an excuse for a war criminal. Right in line with your apology for Russia trying to recreate its empire (that bit about a "buffer zone").

Sure, sure, lots of bad info coming out of Ukraine, little positive and final confirmation of actual Russian tanks and soldiers, etc. And no doubt the Ukrainian oligarchs are a repellent bunch. Still, you'd have to be a fool to take the Russian line at face value.

[Lyle]

Ukraine. I believe that we will. I believe that we will win.

Let's go Ukraine! Let's go Ukraine!

Liberty! Suck it Putin.