Source: RT
According to multiple unconfirmed sources, including RT, Ukrainian armored forces are attacking Russian provocateurs holed up in various East Ukraine cities, including Donetsk.
RT’s headline “Military storm airfield, town in eastern Ukraine, wounded reported – protesters.”, neglects to say it was the Ukrainian military, somewhat of an amusing oversight.
This story is now confirmed by KyivPost. “Ukrainian troops storm Donetsk Oblast’s Kramatorsk airfield, Sloviansk; unconfirmed reports of casualties (LIVE UPDATES)“
NTV.ru also confirmed “Tanks in the Streets of Donetsk.”
According to a private Dutch source:
breaking: Ukraine ”government” claims their forces are encountering AND engaging the russian 45th airborne division in Slavyansk. very heavy fighting is taking place there.
Another source, also unconfirmed states:
General command in kiev: UKRAINE ARMOUR ON THE BORDERS HAVE BEEN TOLD TO PREPARE FOR A POSSIBILE IMMINENT INVASION, PUT ON HIGHEST ALERT
In the meantime, Russia does not want their takeover bid for East Ukraine blocked: “Reuters: Russia says hopes Kyiv ‘has brains’ to avoid escalation.”
RT: “Video: Ukrainian fighter jets flying over Kramatorsk as army starts military op“.
Reports of a Ukrainian jet being ‘downed’ are incorrect, the jet was already being repaired.
So far, no response from the Russians.
Bottom line, folks, it appears that Ukraine is using force against the Russian provocateurs.
Provocateurs? Yes. According to the US State Department (in what has to be the single best document in this whole mess):
The Ukrainian Government has arrested more than a dozen suspected Russian intelligence agents in recent weeks, many of whom were armed at the time of arrest. In the first week of April 2014, the Government of Ukraine had information that Russian GRU officers were providing individuals in Kharkiv and Donetsk with advice and instructions on conducting protests, capturing and holding government buildings, seizing weapons from the government buildings’ armories, and redeploying for other violent actions. On April 12, armed pro-Russian militants seized government buildings in a coordinated and professional operation conducted in six cities in eastern Ukraine. Many were outfitted in bullet-proof vests, camouflage uniforms with insignia removed, and carrying Russian-designed weapons like AK-74s and Dragunovs. These armed units, some wearing black and orange St. George’s ribbons associated with Russian Victory Day celebrations, raised Russian and separatist flags over seized buildings and have called for referendums on secession and union with Russia. These operations are strikingly similar to those used against Ukrainian facilities during Russia’s illegal military intervention in Crimea in late February and its subsequent occupation.
Source: http://m.state.gov/md224759.htm
Russian? “Russian paramilitary leaders in eastern Ukraine caught on tape communicating with Moscow.”
Filed under: Information operations
