Update: UKRAINE DEFENCE MINISTRY CONFIRMS THAT SIX ARMOURED PERSONEL CARRIERS SEIZED BY PRO-RUSSIAN FORCES ON WEDNESDAY... so, defected?
The latest development in the ongoing Ukraine escalation are reports that in the aftermath of yesterday's crackdown by Ukraine special forces against "separatists" in Krematorsk and other occupied eastern cities, in an operation which involved fighter jets and helicopters, that an armored column of military vehicles flying a Russian flag and carrying dozens of heavily armed fighters motored into the city of Slavyansk early Wednesday.
Clip summarizing the situation from AP:
The WSJ adds that "it wasn't immediately clear whether the men were Russian soldiers or local militants who had gotten their hands on military vehicles." Curiously a soldier on one said the unit was part of the 25th brigade of Ukraine's airborne forces that had switched sides and was joining the pro-Russian forces, but that couldn't be immediately confirmed."
Additional photos of the Russian-flag bearing tanks:
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More from the WSJ:
All of the men appeared to be wearing military uniforms without insignia, similar to the heavily armed uniformed men who have seized government building around the region.
Six vehicles took up positions in the center of the city outside the city council building, and dozens of men in fatigues, balaclava masks and carrying automatic weapons milled around. A crowd of about 200 locals gathered around the vehicles and began cheering when one of them showed off by driving in tight circles.
While it is unknown if Russia troops are actually operating in Ukraine - something we doubt as it would give the west far greater ammo in the campaign to demonize the "Russian invasion" - it appears that the next standoff between Ukraine soldiers and separatists will be violent and quite bloody, and explains why earlier today Russia's foreign minister said:
- LAVROV SAYS UKRAINE ESSENTIALLY NO LONGER UNITARY STATE