Poroshenko’s speech in front of the Imperial Senate (MUST WATCH!)

RUSSIA DESK
A dispatch from The Saker

Ukraine-President-PetroPoroshenko

Porochenko dutifully reporting to his masters in Washington.


[I] know, it is nauseating, but still, please do watch it.  What Poroshenko is saying is that which the US deep state is thinking and, as such, it deserves our utmost attention (even if that means grabbing a psychological barf bag).

And for those of you who might get seriously distressed by this sickening and hate-filled ceremony, I have included a short video showing that this nothing new: senates have always been brothels for oligarchs and spineless hypocrites.

And remember – the fact that they say so does not make it so 🙂

Kind regards,

The Saker



Strelkov: from swimming with Piranhas to swimming with Great White sharks

RUSSIA DESK: The Saker Reports

Dateline: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2014

INTRODUCTION

igorStrelkov6754[T]he Strelkov press conference on Sept. 11 (2014) is, I believe, a historical moment because it marks the move of Strelkov from the Novorussian military struggle into the much larger, and far more dangerous struggle, the struggle for the political future of Russia.  This in itself is no necessarily unexpected, but the way he did it was a surprise, at least for me.  But before I zoom out to the bigger picture, I think that it would be helpful to try to summarize some of the key points of his presentation (thanks to Marina, you can download the full English transcript by clicking here and the Q&A is here). 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0-jtNKlpWU

Here is how I summarized what I saw as the key elements of his presentation:

External factors (staging) – symbolic message:

  • He is clearly alive and well
  • The reason for his departure was infighting inside the Novorussian leadership and the fact that he was told that supplies would only be delivered if he left.
  • The photo of Putin in the back on the wall
  • He is sitting behind a Russian monarchist flag on the table (and a Russian and Novorussian flag in the back (no Soviet or Communists symbols)

His view about the ceasefire agreement:

  • This ceasefire has now created military situation is now worse than this spring
  • What is disgraceful is not the ceasefire by itself but “the conditions which are now being discussed in Minks”
  • There is plan to blame the betrayal of Novorussia on Putin
  • There are powerful interests which want a never ending war which would create a bleeding ulcer for Russia

His description of the 5th column: 

  • The roots of this 5th column go back to the Eltsin years
  • The liberation of Crimea took the 5th column by surprise
  • The 5th column is around President
  • There is a local 5th column in Donbass which has been and still is negotiating with Ukie oligarchs
  • The 5th column is composed of “liberals”
  • Putin is a moral threat to them because he has massive popular support
  • They want to overthrow Putin
  • They want to dismember Russia
  • This will be a long war on Russia
  • We are dealing with another 1905 and 1917 like situation
  • By saving Novorussia Russia can save itself
  • Western sanctions will hurt Russia and they will use them to discredit Putin

Strelkov’s plans

  • Strelkov wants to fight inside Russia in support of Putin (only option)
  • Strelkov’s main objective is to denounce the real traitors inside Russia

igor_strelkov_18072014_640

Comdr. Strelkov. (Click to enlarge)

This is my personal rendition of the key elements of Strelkov’s presentation, and I might have missed or misunderstood something, so I therefore encourage everybody to watch the video again and read the transcript.

ZOOMING OUT TO THE GREATER CONTEXT

Before going further into my analysis of Strelkov’s statements, I think that it is crucial to keep the bigger context in mind.  His words are not just the words of a man speaking for the Novorussian Armed Forces (NAF) or a Novorussia hero, this time Strelkov is diving straight into the big and dangerous world of Russian “deep state” politics (though the term “deep state” does not really apply to Russia).  So I will now return to a topic I have been covering for many years now.

Long-time readers will probably recall that I often spoke of a behind-the-scenes struggle between what I called the “Eurasian Sovereignists” (ES) and the “Atlantic Integrationists” (AI).  I will not repeat it all here, but I do encourage you to read the following articles:

The two first articles are part of a much longer seven-part series on Islam, but they introduce the historical context of the development of the ES and AI factions.  The next two I would consider mandatory reading if you are not familiar with the topic and the last one is just a more recent discussion of the role of these two factions in the current Cold War v2.  Having said that, my key thesis is this:

The “5th column” Strelkov refers to are the very same people I call Atlantic Integrationists.

Strelkov names no names, but he describes them very accurately (see above) and he adds that they only value “money and other material resources”.  They are the Russian equivalent of the AngloZionist 1%ers.  Their main political goal is to fully integrate Russia into the AngloZionist international system on a financial, political, economic and cultural levels.  They see Russia as “European” and they believe that “the West” (i.e. the AngloZionist Empire) and Russia need to stand together against Islam, China and any other non-imperial ideology, religion, nation or alliance.  They believe in capitalism and they are opposed to a “social state” (to use Putin’s description of modern Russia) and they are systematically contemptuous of the “masses” though they try hard not to show this aspect of their worldview.  These are the folks who gradually took power during the 1980s and who had the predatory instincts to seize the moment in the early 1990s to rapidly and ruthlessly acquire an absolutely unimaginable amount of wealth, stolen from the Russian people.

Now, it is true that due to an absolutely brilliant move by the Russian security services during the late 1990s and thanks to the chaos in which Russia was plunged, these AI (aka 5th columnists) did make a fatal mistake.  Their plan was to put forward a rather uninspiring and dull bureaucrat into power and surround him by men coming from their own circles.  What they did not foresee is that this rather uninspiring and dull bureaucrat would turn into one of the most formidable statesmen in Russian history – Putin – and that he would immediately set out to decapitate the top layers of the AI  – the so-called “oligarchs” and the thugs who enforced their rule – and their armed branch- the Chechen Wahabi insurgency.  Putin acted so fast that he rapidly ended up in full control of the so-called “power ministries” (state security, presidential security, internal affairs, armed forces, emergency services) and, which is crucial, an immense popular support.  In a way, this combination of state power and popular support made Putin untouchable, but that also limited his power.

While the top and most notorious AI columnists either left Russia (Berezovsky) or were put in jail (Khodorkovsky) or died, the system they had created was still very much in place.  Banking, the natural resources industry, the weapons trade, financial services and, of course, the media were still very much in their hands.  So when the most arrogant one of them, Khodorkovsky, was jailed the two factions (ES and AI) achieved something of a compromise, a temporary ceasefire if you wish.  The deal was this: first, as long as they don’t try to take over the Kremlin and generally stay out of politics, the AI would be allowed to keep their wealth and continue to make huge profits; second, the top power would be shared between the ES (Putin, Rogozin, Patrushev, etc.) and the AI (Medvedev, Kudrin, Surkov, etc.).

The first big blow which Putin delivered against the AI was the firing of Serdiukov and, even “worse”, his replacement with Shoigu.  The second massive blow was, according to Strelkov (and I agree), the operation to liberate Crimea.  According to Strelkov, this operation was a huge blow to the interests of these 5th columnist because they immediately realized that it would set Russia and the AngloZionists on a collision course.  They therefore gathered all their forces to a) prevent a Russian military intervention in the Donbass and b) make a deal with the oligarchs now in power in Kiev.  I fully share this analysis.

Russian vs Novorussian strategic interests

Here comes the tricky part.  There are a few assumption made by many bloggers which are the result of a fundamental flaws in logic:

  • Russian and Novorussian interests are one and the same
  • Anything supported by the AI is bad for Russia
  • Putin is in full control and can do whatever he wants
  • Novorussian leaders are always right by virtue of their heroic struggle
  • Disagreeing with Novorussian leader is a sign of stupidity, betrayal or dishonesty (including for Putin himself)

Reality is not quite that simple.  For one thing, Russian and Novorussian interests are not only one and the same, they are in direct opposition on a crucial matter: Novorussia wants full independence from Kiev(whoever is in power) while Russia wants regime change in Kiev and maintain a unitary Ukraine.  Second, while the fact that Russian and Ukrainian oligarchs are trying to hammer out a deal to stop the war and maintain a unitary Ukraine this might or might not be bad for Russia.  Now, before I get accused of God only knows what, let me explain:

During the late 1980s and the 1990s a bizarre kind of “partial fusion” took place between the Russian mob and the KGB.   I know, sounds crazy, but it is nonetheless true and yours truly has personally seen it and personally met ex-KGB officers working in the Russian mob.  However, as some say, there is no such thing as an “ex-KGB” officer.  Well, in reality there is, but in most cases, at least informal contacts are maintained.  So here is how I would very roughly summarize this bizarre association:

In the 1980s: corrupt KGB officers realize that a lot of money can be made in the underworld and some official of the internal security branch of the KGB (2nd Main Directorate) found ways to profit from tight contacts with the mob.

In the early 1990: a lot of young and smart KGB officers realize that their skills are useless in the KGB, they resign and immediately find very good positions in the “New Russian” world (at that time 100% mobsters) and use their skills (language, education, work capability, courage) to make loads of money

These were terrible years for the KGB/FSB, but they also had one positive impact: the more corrupt and less patriotic officers left leaving many idealists behind them, idealists which would, with time, climb up the ranks.

Now here comes the really interesting part:

In the mid 1990s-2000: the successor to the KGB, the SVR and FSB came to realize that they had a fantastic network of potential collaborators in the newly created world of Russian business, finance, commerce, tourism, etc.  They act on this and begin use this mostly “ex-mob now turned legit” worldwide network for state security purposes and industrial/commercial espionage.  Even the military intelligence service, the GRU, begins to do the same with ex-officers now working in aerospace, electronics, communications, etc.

[Off-topic but interesting sidebar: there is another most valuable network which the SVR/FSB/GRU also began to use during this period: the huge number of Jews from Russia who emigrated to the USA and Israel.  Keep that in mind when you think about Russian-Israeli relations]

2000-today: Putin and his backers begin their behind the scenes secret but ruthless war on the Atlantic Integrationists who are fundamentally oppose to the Eurasian Sovereignists who are now firmly behind Putin.  Most importantly the security services who are controlled by Putin allies develop a network of potential supporters inside the basis of power of the Atlantic Integrationists.  See how complex that becomes?

So while some superficial analysts are correct when they say that the Russian oligarchs are generally 5th columnists and dangerous enemies of Putin, what they are missing is that a) not all oligarchs fall into this category and b) that Putin has the means to influence or even coerce some anti-Putin oligarchs thanks to his control of the security services and their network inside the oligarchs power base.

So here is the crucial point: the relationship between the Kremlin and  the Russian oligarchy is a verycomplex one.  Yes, by and large, it is correct to say that we have Putin, the security services, the military,  the common Russian people on one side and the oligarchs, the liberal intelligentsia, big business, banking, finance and CIA agents on the other.  But in reality, this is a primitive model, the reality is infinitely more complex.  I know I am going to get even more hate coming my way for saying that, but some oligarchs are (for whatever reason) Putin allies or Putin controlled-individuals.  I have met some personally in the late 1990s and I am quite sure that they are still there.  Why?

Because there is a lot of money to be made in Russia by being on Putin’s side.  For one thing, if you are in good terms with the Kremlin, you become untouchable for the rest of the more-or-less legal “business” world.  You also get juicy contracts.  And the tax authorities might not be as meticulous when you file for taxes.  Again, the black-and-white Putin vs oligarchs image is generally true, but only as a primitive model.

ZOOMING BACK IN TO STRELKOV’S PRESS CONFERENCE

Let’s remember where Strelkov came from.  While little is certain about him, he appears to be an ex-FSB Colonel (in anti-terrorism), who fought as a volunteer in Yugoslavia, Transnistria and Chechnia.  He is also a historian, a columnist and he likes to participate in military recreations.  He is a monarchist, an Orthodox Christian and and admirer of the White movement during the civil war.  In Novorussia, however, he entered a totally different level jumping in one rapid, gigantic most successful leap from anti-terrorism Colonel to what could be roughly described as an divisional or even army corp commander who turned a volunteer militia force into a more or less regular army.  That is a huge feat:  From almost nobody he became the #1 hero and commander of the entire Novorussian resistance.  And yet, Novorussia is tiny compared to Russia and big Novorussian politics are tiny compared to big Russian politics.  And yet, in yesterday’s press conference Strelkov made yet another huge leap – he jumped from Novorussian military issues straight into the single most complex and dangerous struggle I can imagine: the secret behind-the-scenes struggle for power in the Kremlin.  It is far too early to tell if this move will be as successful as his previous one, Strelkov went from swimming with Piranhas to swimming with Great White sharks, but I am cautiously optimistic.  Here is why:

Strelkov’s potential in the Russian struggle for power

Putin is acutely aware of the fact that his official power base (the state apparatus) is chock-full of 5th columnists. The best proof for that is that he did two very interesting things:

a) He created the All-Russia People’s Front (ARPF) which unlike the official party in power, United Russia, was not created with a strong Medvedev/Atlantic Integrationist component, but was created by Putinalone.  Officially, the ARPF is not a party but a “political-social movement” which is supposed to bring together a large segment of generally pro-Kremlin organizations and individuals and to provide a way for the common people to convey their concerns to Putin.  In reality, however, it is also a “political party in waiting”, very large, very well connected and which Putin can “turn on” at any time, especially if challenged from inside United Russia.

b) Putin’s security services have contributed to the creation of a plethora of “near-Kremlin entities” (околокремлевские круги) which officially have no subordination to the Kremlin, but which can get a lot of things done without the government involved or, even, informed.  These near-Kremlin entities include some news outlets, some commercial entities, a number of clubs, some youth organizations, news agencies, etc.  There is no formal list, no admission procedure, no one leader.  But somehow, there are always people with contacts to the security agencies near or in these circles.

This is were Strelkov fits in.

Strelkov will first and foremost represent the interests of the people of Novorussia, but since he correctly identified the Russian 5th column as the main threat to Novorussia, he also is objectively becoming an ally of Putin in a common struggle against the Atlantic Integrationists.  Now, let us be clear here.  Strelkov and Putin will not agree on a number of issues.  Strelkov clearly indicated that when he said

“No matter how critical I am about certain internal or external policy decision of president in conditions of war started against us, I consider it necessary to support him as the only legitimate superior commander the main guarantor of freedom and independence of the state”
The fact that he concluded that  Putin must be supported does not change the fact that he is clearly very critical of some Putin decisions.  My guess is that the obvious areas of disagreement are:
a) The ceasefire and subsequent negotiations
b) The fact that Putin does with with some Russian oligarchs
c) That Putin wants a united Ukraine
These disagreements are normal and should not be interpreted as the sign of some kind of opposition.  Again, Novorussia and Russia simply have different interests.
But where Strelkov and Putin are in full agreement is the need to crush the 5th column.  Putin was the first to speak about a “Russian 5th column” (when he addressed the Federal Assembly) and Strelkov picked up his expression.  This 5th column of Atlantic Integrationists  are a mortal danger to both Putin and Strelkov and, as Strelkov correctly points out, Putin is a mortal danger to them.  When Strelkov speaks of a “Putin revolution” and of a “Russian Spring” he is referring to the very same struggle which I in the past described as a struggle of Atlantic Integrationists against the Eurasian Sovereignists.  The labels are different, but the process described is the same one.
In this context Strelkov could become a very powerful ally for Putin.  By speaking up for Novorussia Strelkov is also very clearly promoting the same ideology, the same worldview, as Putin.  In fact, I recommend to you all to take the time and listen to (or read)

Putin, Zakharchenko and Strelkov all three fully realize that what is going on is nothing shot of a war on Russia, but waged, at least for the time being, by non-military means.  All three know that the biggest threat to Russia is an internal one.  But all three can claim that the other two do not speak for him.  After all, one is the President of Russia, the second one is a top representative of Donetsk and Novorussia, while the third one is, technically speaking, a retired officer and a private individual.  Yet all three together are politically encircling the Russian 5th column into a “political cauldron” in which they either support Putin or look like traitors.  A potentially very effective technique.

The second role of Strelkov is to denounce and discredit the Putin-bashers who are constantly declaring that “Putin is backstabbing or betraying Novorussia”.  I predict that in a near future the very same circles who until now had taken the position that Putin is a villain and Strelkov a hero will declare that Strelkov is a villain and a traitor too.  Some of these guys are manipulated by western PSYOP specialists, others are simply paid by them, but their goal is to convince the world that Putin is the bad guy and that a “real” patriot needs to replace him.  In other words, that Russia can only be saved by making the AngloZionist dream of a regime change in Russia come true.  But then, these are the very same people who wanted to save Novorussia by making the other AngloZionist dream, of having an overt Russian military intervention in the Donbass, also come true.  My advice in regards to such “sorrow-patriots” as they are called in Russia is simple: beware of those who want to save Russia by making an AngloZionist dream come true.  If you keep that in mind, the enemies of Russia will be fairly easy to spot 🙂

CONCLUSION

I was amazed and tremendously encouraged by Strelkov’s very sophisticated presentation of his position yesterday.  Though this might be too early to conclude, and I might be uncharacteristically optimistic about this, I believe that Strelkov has the potential to become the Novorussian leader I was hoping would emerge.  If that is so, then I will gladly plead guilty of having underestimated him.  Still, I will also admit that I am very concerned for him.  The fact that apparently the Russia media has given his press conference little or no attention combined with the rumor that he had killed himself is a powerful message sent to him by the 5th column who is showing how powerful it still is.  In particular, I consider the rumor about his suicide as a very serious death threat.  Even worse, and maybe these are my paranoid inclination speaking here, there are a lot of people on both sides who might be interested in seeing Strelkov killed.  The Atlantic Integrationists and their 5th column would want him dead because he is so openly denouncing them, but make no mistake, there could also be Eurasian Sovereignists who might want him dead to have him as a martyr and symbol of Russian heroism.  Is that cynical and ugly?  Yes. And so is the struggle for power in Russia.  Most people in the West have no idea how ruthless this struggle can be.  Unlike Putin, Strelkov is not protected by an extremely powerful state security apparatus and, considering that he can be hit from either side.  He better be very *very* careful.

Just for accepting to play the role he is playing now (and he, being an ex-FSB colonel, fully knows the risks)  I consider him a hero and he has my sincere admiration.  “They” will try to use him, threaten him, manipulate him, discredit him and use every dirty trick possible to either control him or crush him.  Truly, his fate is already a tragic one and his courage remarkable.  Fighting the Ukie Nazis, the Chechen Wahabis or the Croat Ustashe was a relaxing vacation compared to the kind of “warfare” going on in the struggle for the control of Russia.  Since Russia is the de-facto leader of both the BRICS and the SCO the struggle for Russia is really a struggle for the future of the planet.  I believe that Strelkov understands that.

—The Saker



How the Pentagon Turns Working-Class Men into the Deadliest Killers on the Planet

By David Swanson
FraternalsiteOriginally posted on December 10, 2010 by Cyrano’s Journal Today 

The following is an excerpt from David Swanson’s self-published new book War is a Lie (David Swanson, 2010)

us-military3

and that you’ll send them to college if they live? hey, just promising it costs you nothing. If they’re resistant, you started too late. Put military video games in shopping malls. Send uniformed generals into kindergartens to warm the children up to the idea of truly and properly swearing allegiance to that flag. Spend 10 times the money on recruiting each new soldier as we spend educating each child. Do anything, anything, anything other than starting a draft.

Formally we have no draft, but in practice we have a poverty draft. The majority of military recruits come from below-median income neighborhoods.

Mariscal understands that there are many other motivations as well, including the desire to do something useful and important for others. But he believes those generous impulses are being misdirected:

The transition from war primarily by the rich to war primarily by the poor has been a very gradual one and is far from complete. For one thing, those in the highest positions of power in the military are more likely to have come from privileged backgrounds. And regardless of their background, top officers are the least likely to see dangerous combat. Leading the troops into battle is not how it works anymore, except in our imaginations. Both presidents Bush saw their approval ratings soar in public opinion polls when they fought wars ? at least at first when the wars were still new and magnificent. Never mind that these presidents fought their wars from the air-conditioned Oval Office. One result of this is that those making the decisions upon which the most lives hang are the least likely to see war death up close, or to have ever seen it.

The Air-Conditioned Nightmare

The first President Bush had seen World War II from an airplane, already a distance away from the dying, although not as far away as Reagan who had avoided going to war. Just as thinking of enemies as subhuman makes it easier to kill them, bombing them from high in the sky is much easier psychologically than participating in a knife fight or shooting a traitor standing blindfolded beside a wall. Presidents Clinton and Bush Jr. avoided the Vietnam War, Clinton through educational privilege, Bush through being the son of his father. President Obama never went to war. Vice Presidents Dan Quayle, Dick Cheney, and Joe Biden, like Clinton and Bush Jr., dodged the draft. Vice President Al Gore went to the Vietnam War briefly, but as an army journalist, not a soldier who saw combat.

Himmler told them to do their duty even if it was hard. He returned to doing his from the comfort of a desk.

Shalt Thou Kill or Not?

Killing sounds a lot easier than it is. Throughout history, men have risked their own lives to avoid having to take part in wars:

The mutilation of bodies, whatever drives it in each case, is a fairly common practice in war, although engaged in mostly by people who were not inclined to murderous violence prior to joining the military. Numerous war trophy photos from the War on Iraq show corpses and body parts mutilated and displayed in close-up, laid out on a platter as if for cannibals. Many of these images were sent by American soldiers to a website that marketed pornography. Presumably, these images were viewed as war pornography. Presumably, they were created by people who had come to love war ? not by the Himmlers or the Dick Cheneys who enjoy sending others, but by people who actually enjoyed being there, people who signed up for college money or adventure and were trained as sociopathic killers.

Gilligan looks at violent crimes, especially murder, and then turns his attention to our system of violent punishment, including the death penalty, prison rape, and solitary confinement. He views retributive punishment as the same sort of irrational violence as the crimes it is punishing. He sees structural violence and poverty as doing the most damage, but he does not address the subject of war. In scattered references Gilligan makes clear that he lumps war into his theory of violence, and yet in one place he opposes ending wars, and nowhere does he explain how his theory can be coherently applied.

 ___________________________

David Swanson is the author of the just published book War Is A Lie and Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union. He blogs atLet’s Try Democracy and War Is a Crime.

© 2010 davidswanson.org All rights reserved.
View this story online at: http://www.alternet.org/story/149165/

 



• The Donbass battlefront: What is the deal with the Ukie “cauldrons”?

dpr-destrpyedAPC2

A dispatch by The Saker
[A] lot of people are wondering what the deal is with the so-called “cauldrons” in which the Ukie forces seem to get surrounded over and over again.  Are the Ukie generals simply stupid, or what is the deal?  I will try to explain.Remember that that Ukie forces are typically “heavy”.  They have lots of tanks, lots of artillery, lost of ammo, lots of soldiers, etc.  At least initially.  They are also much inferior in terms of tactical skills, morale and willpower.  In contrast, the Resistance forces have dramatically fewer tanks, fewer artillery pieces, much less ammo and less soldiers too.  But their morale is sky-high, their tactical skills excellent and they are fighting on their own land – a big “home turf” advantage.

V I D E O   B E L O W

Add to all this the following: the Ukies are desperately trying to prove to the world that they are “winning” whereas the Resistance is trying to eject an occupying force.  Now if you keep all that in mind, you will very easily understand how these “cauldrons” form.  It typically goes like this:The political powers in Kiev order the commanders of the so-called “anti-terrorist operation” to show some results.  The latter get together and define what they consider a number of key towns and villages.  They then order their forces to go in and take these towns/villages.  The junta forces move in and with much superior firepower typically destroy a few Resistance roadblocks on the main roads and move to seize the said towns.  At this point they report “mission accomplished – our flag is on the administration of town X“.  The BBC picks up the info handed to them by the Ukies and the world learns of yet another Ukie victory.    In the meantime, Ukie terror squads are brought in to smoke out any sympathizers of the Resistances in the occupied towns.  As for the tanks, they are used to protect the Ukie force while their artillery is used long range to terrorize the population of the next town on the list.

Then everything goes down the tubes.

First, a big force requires lots of petroleum, lubricants, ammo, supplies, food, etc.  But the roads are under constant attack by Resistance forces.  Next, the Novorussians slowly but inevitably bring in some artillery which begins pounding on the Ukie forces.  Gradually, the bigger Ukie forces are forced to dig in while the Resistance take back full control of the main roads and surrounding towns.  That’s it – the circle has closed, the Ukies are surrounded and a ‘cauldron’ has formed.

dpr-destroyedTank

At that point two things happen: a) the Ukies try to retreat b) reinforcements are sent in to rescue them.  But at this point the density and quality of Resistance forces is sufficient to block the main roads and to prevent both retreats or reinforcements.  In some cases the Ukies succeed in breaking out or reinforcing, but typically at great costs in equipment and lives.  And that brings me to another important point:

The Ukies prefer to fight on the main roads.  The Resistance is at home in the forests, hills, fields and bushes (what the Russian military calls the “The Green”).  That means that Ukie movements are very predictable.  Not so for the Resistance.  The Ukies fear the “Green” – the Novorussians love it.  I don’t know of a single battle so far in which the Ukies attempted to attack through, or from, the “Green”.  The Novorussians do that all the time.
______________________

Kiev’s “punitive army” suffering huge losses

Funeral of Ukraine soldiers sent to "pacify" the Donbass by brute force.

Funeral of Ukraine soldiers sent to “pacify” the Donbass by brute force. The mothers, as always, are the ones who suffer most.

reports: “My friends and I got the data from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on the real losses of Ukrainian troops – thanks to honest and noble officers that do not support the criminal government. Poroshenko struggles to hide the real losses from the people. Because zombie population of Ukraine would experience quite a shock on hearing the real numbers and real “victories” of the army.”

dpr-capturedGRADrocket

Captured multiple rocket battery used by the Kiev’s attackers.

“When it comes to Ukrainian losses, pro-American puppets are either shamefully silent or lie blatantly. The real information about the situation at the front, which is fed to Poroshenko, fell into the hands of Vladimir Rogov. According to the data, as of August 15, the losses in the ranks of the punitive operation forces are: 23,498 killed and wounded, 158 taken prisoners, 8972 missing and deserted. The junta suffers colossal losses in recent days. But these terrible for mothers of Ukrainian soldiers figures remain hidden from publicity.”

________________

Pretty soon, supplies become a real problem, and with more or less the entire Ukie Air Forces kaput, and the density of anti-air weapons of the Resistance, even large units go from a fighting mode to a survival mode.  At least 4 Ukie death squads are in that mode right now, today.

But remember, the Ukies sill have more armor and more firepower, so it is not that easy to reduce and crush a cauldron – that is why the Resistance needs so much time to eventually finish them off.  They do though, one by one.  If they had the time and forces, they could do it easily, but they don’t.

Right now, the main forces protecting Mariupol are all stuck in 2-3 cauldrons southeast of Donetsk.  But instead of wasting time reducing them, the Novorussian Armed Forces have launched an attack along the sea coast towards Mariupol where the Ukies are already in a panic mode as nothing much stands between them and the Resistance.  And this is the correct move for the Novorussians.

Just as in chess a blocked figure is essentially useless, so is a Ukie force in a cauldron.  The important thing is to keep the initiative and press the advantage.  This is why the Resistance is pushing towards Mariupol.  If that city is taken, or even surrounded,  or if the cauldrons south of Donetsk are reduced, that will mean a collapse of the entire southern front of the Ukie attack on Novorussia.

There are risks however.  First, any Novorussian force moved in or towards Mariupol risks being cut off and surrounded by Ukie reinforcements.  Now, I don’t know for a fact what the Ukies are up to, but I bet you that there is total panic in Kiev and that reinforcements are sent from all over the country to prevent Mariupol from falling into Novorussian hands.  The Novorussians need to keep a very careful eye over their shoulder (but then, I am pretty sure that the many GRU eyes in space and on the ground are already doing that for them).  Second, the surrounded Ukies can try to join forces and then either break out or attack towards the north.  If they fail, they will probably either do what they have done in the past – run for their lives and abandon all their heavy equipment or fight to the last man.  Either way is fine for the Novorussians.

I hope that the short (and somewhat simplified) explanation above explains, at least in general lines, why and how these “cauldrons” are constantly forming.

Cheers and kind regards,

The Saker

POSTED BY VINEYARDSAKER: AT 23:22

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COMMENTS

Larchmonter445 said…

General Saker, your explanation did the job.Not quite John Keegan, but simple and direct.Thanks.God bless the Resistance Army!
26 AUGUST, 2014 23:37

Anonymous said…

A big thanks for this Saker! The (soon to be former) Ukraine debacle has left me confused on the military situation of the war. Your cauldrons-for-dummies explanation has been helpful to someone whose understanding of wars is from a geopolitical/historical perspective.Keep up the good work, this blog has cured me of the sleepless nights I used to have since the crisis began.
26 AUGUST, 2014 23:40

Anonymous said…

To answer the question properly- the so-called ‘cauldrons’ occur because the methods of modern armies like that of the Ukraine EXPECT and DEMAND air superiority when fighting against what is supposed to be ‘primitive’ military opponents.The neo-Nazi forces are trained in fighting methods that fall apart when 19th Century ground based supply routes become essential.Every heard of the term ‘Blitzkrieg’? If so, you clearly didn’t understand it, but this has been the basis of every modern first world army since WW2.The problem for the neo-Nazis is that their ‘Blitzkrieg’ methodology is supposed to smash into a region with a large self-supporting armour unit, bust up the ‘pathetic’ defending forces they encounter, and gain complete dominance over the newly captured territory. We can all see the problems with this approach when the war that is being fought is a CIVIL war.Kiev isn’t that stupid, though, but fully expected that the modern way of using air support to resupply the Blitzkrieg unit would be available to them. But Russia effectively maintains a no-fly-zone over Novorussia.Sadly, NATO is rapidly re-educating elite Ukraine and mercenary forces in methods more suitable for civil war conflicts with no real air support. And if you want to know how HORRIFIC these methods are, look to the Israel/US backed Apartheid era South Africa wars against neighbouring states like Angola.Hit-and-run. Butcher squads comprised of the worst criminal scum from regime prisons. Targeted assassinations. Destruction of civilian infrastructure. But it gets worse.Since Russia removed all Soviet era nuclear weapons from Ukraine, Ukraine has been busy building a new arsenal of nuclear warheads using material produced by their numerous nuclear power stations. Two of these nukes would finish off Novorussia. And the mainstream media of the West is laying down the propaganda that would justify their use. After all, hasn’t the vast majority of civilians from Novorussia’s two ‘rebel’ cities relocated elsewhere?So, nuking these two cities would be sold as simply destroying the two ‘terrorist’ nests, where the only people that chose to remain were obviously doing so to assist the ‘terrorists’.Ukraine will not launch these nuclear bombs on missiles- two risky, easy to spot, and easy for Russia to intercept. No, they will use the American method in Japan- simply drop them from high flying aircraft. As free falling bombs, they can be fully armoured against missile strikes, and their trajectory cannot be disrupted.Legally, a nation can nuke its own territory, so this wouldn’t even represent a ‘war crime’. The Monsters of the West need nuclear weapons to be overtly used again (the US has covertly used them several times since WW2), in readiness for nuclear strikes against Iran. Nuking Novorussia would groom the sheeple to accept the ‘unfortunate reality’ of warfare using nuclear weapons.
26 AUGUST, 2014 23:53

Sampanviking said…

I did some map checking and it does make good sense to try and take Mariupol. The key is the Donetsk to Mariupol highway. It is less than half the distance of Donetsk to the East Russian border, whihc was the length of the front being defended in July when the first Southern Cauldron was formed. Its even less when the road is adjusted for key towns East of Donetsk.
I would say that the NRA are warming up the biggest cauldron so far!
26 AUGUST, 2014 23:56

VINEYARDSAKER: said…

@Anonymous:Every heard of the term ‘Blitzkrieg’? If so, you clearly didn’t understand itMe? No, never heard it. What does it mean? I am confused. Can you please help me understand?Thanks in advance,The Saker
27 AUGUST, 2014 00:11

les said…

To the Saker:
IMO there is an additional factor that comes into play with the Cauldrons.The cauldrons are a test of how far the different sides are willing to go in this war. With each cauldron there is the temptation on the part of the Junta leadership to dig out and use bigger and more powerful weapons. The range of weapons allowed to them, is of course, monitered and controlled by the West.For each increase in the power of the weapons used, Russia has responded in kind and presto the militia has had the ability to counter the new threat.I believe that in this carefully played-out scheme there is a repeated message to the watching eyes of the Middle East, Armenia/Azerbaijan, and other potential trouble spots.Every time the Ukrainian forces up the ante by using bigger missiles and bombs, Russia gives the militia an upgrade in the weapons it allows in. When mercenaries and special ops from outside countries start operating, then Russian special ops start operating. Remember the transport plane that was shot down all killed all those those “Ukrainian” army guys? Most were rumoured to be US/CIA special ops. So why was it that this one transport was hit – when at that time no others had been hit and for a week after none were hit? Why just that one?This stand-off is a message to western forces in a really big range of countries right now. While Russia is not going in and getting directly involved in a war, they are declaring very loudly that the West should be sure Russian friends will be able to defend themselves.
27 AUGUST, 2014 00:19

Anunnaki said…

http://en.itar-tass.com/world/746795Saur Mogila liberated?
27 AUGUST, 2014 00:23

VINEYARDSAKER: said…

@Anunnaki:Saur Mogila liberated?yes, I can confirm that. There is still a Ukie unit near it, but the hill itself is in Resistance hands.Cheers,The Saker
27 AUGUST, 2014 00:24

Anonymous said…

Wow the NAF is really rolling right now. The offensive was obviously well planned and prepared. Gubarev has stated that 1,000s of new volunteers will be armed in Mariupol and other cities. This means that partisans have pre-existing networks and equipment caches – and that more volunteers may arrive from the RF. Melitopol may be under threat. There’s something in the air in Kharkiv. New cauldrons may cut off as much as 1/2 of the punishers.We are witnessing a great historical revolution in Novorussia, state of the art hybrid war conducted by the Russian Federation, and the perfect manipulation of the geopolitical moment in the project of the destruction of imperialism, capitalism and neofascism.
27 AUGUST, 2014 01:04

ProPeace said…

Excellent! Many thanks to you and your team! Vpieryod, Novorossiya!
27 AUGUST, 2014 01:09

Grieved said…

The anonymous war expert (blitzkrieg etc) has me troubled with the thought of nukes. I gather they are pretty small nowadays, but I don’t know much about war.I have to think, watching the video of the new commanders in the news conference today, that if someone nuked my hometown, as anonymous suggests could happen – then I would no longer confine myself to the borders of Novorossiya or even Ukraine in my fighting.I would go to Washington, Langley, Tel Aviv and whatever part of Switzerland Kolomoisky’s hiding in to exact retribution. And probably not stop until I found the Rockefellers and Rothschilds.Sooner or later, the working class has to take it to the ruling class. Historically, it’s always only ever been a matter of getting pushed far enough.As they said in the news conference, be careful what you awaken. I hope some devil fiend somewhere in this world has enough sense of self-preservation not to push this thing too far.Please pardon me if I’m way off base or out of line on all of this. That video on Ilovaisk finally got to me.
27 AUGUST, 2014 01:16

Anonymous said…

With the new southern front beginning to open up and large encirclements developing, what will the next US move be?Nuclear false flag – Zaporizhzhia? Requiring an international response in a strategic location.NATO is returning to the Black Sea.It should be easy to fake an incident – the US probably already controls security at the facility.A faked incident, blamed on NAF, this time executed exclusively by pros – unlike MH17.
27 AUGUST, 2014 01:20

Anonymous said…

From my feline perspective, the Ukrainian forces seem to be imitating the worst planned soviet offensive tactics of WWII (e.g. Operation Mars) – clumsy, inflexible meat grinders that are successful only when the fascists enjoy an overwhelming advantage in men, tanks, guns and airpower.I am not a worshipper of the Heer, but the Novorussians seem to imitate the best Wehrmacht defensive tactics of that same time period, making up for material shortages with skilled shooting, maneuver, and defense in depth, along with a lot of ambushes.I also have long wondered when the junta would run out of ammunition of all sorts, especially artillery. They fire indiscriminately, constantly, and with little fire discipline.
27 AUGUST, 2014 01:23

VINEYARDSAKER: said…

@Anonymous:the worst planned soviet offensive tactics of WWII (e.g. Operation Mars) – clumsy, inflexible meat grinders that (…) defensive tactics of that same time period, making up for material shortages with skilled shooting, maneuver, and defense in depth, along with a lot of ambushes.These are all western propaganda myths. One can wonder why Hitler lost and Stalin won if that was the case. I recommend you begin with this reading:http://sti.clemson.edu/publications-mainmenu-38/commentaries-mainmenu-211/doc_download/189-the-soviet-german-war-1941-1945-myths-and-realities-a-survey-essayand/or this video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Clz27nghIgCheers,The Saker
27 AUGUST, 2014 01:32

John 97205 said…

Very helpful explanation, Saker, thanks.Regarding the birth of a nation, I hope you haven’t yet seen this photograph, as I’m sure you’ll enjoy it:Novorussian militia put up signs on the border with #Russia reading “National border of the Republic of #Novorussia”~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MINSK SUMMIT PROGNOSIS
Alexander Mercouris…Everyone acknowledges that there is not going to be a breakthrough. Here are some points:1. The talks would not be happening were it not for:(1) the junta’s losses in its military campaign in the Donbas;
(2) the gathering collapse of the Ukraine’s economy (see below on this page); and
(3) the recent sanctions debacle which has aggravated the economic crisis in Europe…6. [of 8]…In my opinion what Putin will be insisting on in Minsk is…a return to what was agreed in Geneva on 17th April 2014, namely:(1) an immediate unconditional ceasefire;
(2) constitutional negotiations between the parties;with an implicit recognition that the result of (2) may go far beyond the federalisation proposal that was discussed back in the period February to Jun….
27 AUGUST, 2014 02:05

John-Albert said…

God help us all if the Ukies do build nuclear bombs. I hope Russia is watching that possibility closely!
27 AUGUST, 2014 02:05

Julian said…

(1) Putin’s Gambit.Obviously Putin has refrained from getting directly involved in this conflict thus far – and wisely I would suggest.I suspect he would like it to stay this way, and prefer to see a NovoRussian win generated by it’s own momentum. This may or may not (probably not) involve a march to Kiev.Probably other forces would be required to achieve that end.Personally I suspect Putin is sticking with the diplomatic game at the minute because there are simply too many variables up in the air in the next few months it is best not to provide a spark that propels the momentum of the other side in a direction against Russia.Looking at the calendar shows meSeptember 4-5, 2014
NATO War Summit in Wales.September 1-7, 2014
Supposedly we are going to get a look at a Preliminary Report into the crash of MH17 in the first week of September. I don’t expect much, but you can expect a Russian reaction if this report is a whitewash.September 14, 2014
Swedish General Election. Will it favour pro-NATO or anti-NATO forces? Or is that already pre-ordained. I’m not sure, but any Russian aggression would no doubt spur anti-Russian sentiment pre-election.September 14, 2014
St. Petersburg Election. Presumably “Putin’s man”, whoever that is, will win this. Putin wouldn’t want to do anything rash to threaten thisOctober 1, 2014
Jens Stoltenberg replaces Anders “Fogh of War” Rasmussen as the Head of NATO. Surely Stoltenberg will have to be an improvement on Rasmussen, and might have some ability to actually ratchet down the tensions between Russia/ The West if he is given a chance? If Russia intervenes before Stoltenberg is given the job that boxes Stoltenberg into a corner and allows him no room to argue for a rapprochement. One must hope Russia has been in Stoltenberg’s ear to try and get someone in a position of authority in the West who actually understands diplomacy! (Probably a forlorn hope, but we can all dream).October 5, 2014 – Brazilian Presidential Election. As a potentially key ally in South America, any actions Russia takes in Ukraine prior to the Brazilian Presidential Election likely lead to harsh rhetoric in Brazil that could potentially seriously damage relations with Brazil, and by extension South America. Something best avoided by Russia as it courts Brazil and South America.October 5, 2014
Bulgarian General Election. Surely the issue of South Stream is key here. Any overt Russian aggression in Ukraine before this election is likely to play into the hands of any Bulgarian party that is pro-American, pro-European Union, rather than any party that seeks a sensible policy of engagement with Russia. If Bulgaria can be brought onside with regards to South Stream, that greatly strengthens Russian relations with not only Bulgaria, but also Serbia, Hungary, Austria & Italy.

October 20, 2014
New Indonesian President Jokowi inaugurated. This is of a lesser importance in specific regards to Ukraine, but worth noting as Indonesia would be a great prize (The world’s 3rd largest democracy), if it can be persuaded to join the BRICS. Perhaps the BRIICS.

27 AUGUST, 2014 02:13

Julian said…

(2) Putin’s GambitOctober 26, 2014
Second Round of the Brazilian Presidential Election if requiredOctober 26, 2014
Ukrainian Legislative Elections. Newly put on the agenda, but long expected. Any overt Russian aggression before these elections would obviously play directly into the hands of Ukrainian Nationalists/ Fascists and provoke a strong anti-Russian response at the elections which would legitimise continued Ukrainian war-mongering in Eastern Ukraine. This might well happen anyway, but any Russian aggression would guarantee it.October 31, 2014
Jose Manuel Barroso steps down as head of the European Union to be replaced by Jean-Claude Juncker. Barroso is a well known Atlanticist in the Americans pocket. On the other hand, Jean-Claude Juncker is clearly Pro-European, and not so worried about America. Juncker would appear much more likely to cut a deal with Russia that fixed relations between Russia-EU, rather than tow the line from Washington or London. This was most evident in the UK’s utter opposition to Juncker’s appointment to this post. Juncker may be the guy Russia is actually waiting for, and they may have even told him they won’t intervene in Ukraine until he becomes Top Dog at the EU and they can cut a deal? Purely speculation, but I wouldn’t be surprised.November 4, 2014
US Mid-Term Elections. Once again, any overt Russian aggression would play into the hands of anti-Russian rhetoric candidates in the US Mid-Terms. Much better to give them nothing of substance to pontificate about and keep Russian hands clean prior to these elections.November 14-16, 2014
G-20 Leader’s meeting in Brisbane, Australia. All the world’s most important leaders will be here. Any Russian action that appears to undermine peace and security in Europe will be condemned largely and loudly by leaders at this meeting if it happens.If Putin can keep Russian hands clean until mid November, he has a strong hand to argue to the likes of the BRICS, and also Germany, France, the EU and others, that it is not Russia that is fomenting trouble in Ukraine, but only in fact Russia that is trying to truly find a diplomatic solution to these problems.Who knows what happens over the next 2 months in places like Iraq & Syria either. It appears the US/UK/NATO is about to get more heavily involved in conflict in these countries – this will also favour the Russian approach for peace above and beyond the US/UK/NATO strategy of airborne warfare.If Putin can hold out until the G20 Leader’s Summit (and given events on the ground in Donbass this looks increasingly likely), I believe he will win the favour of a majority of World Leaders at this Summit for his approach. That will be a watershed moment in international relations and politics.As I’ve outlined above, between now and the Leader’s Summit there are key elections in Sweden, St. Petersburg, Brazil, Bulgaria, Ukraine and the USA. 6 Key Elections in the next 12 weeks.Putin must maintain his patience during this period. The other thing is, by mid-November, the gas shortage will be getting acute and Ukraine will be ever more likely to cut a deal favourable to Russia the closer we get to Winter.After the G20 Leader’s Summit, I can’t see any more important elections until the following April 2015 (Finnish Election).It is mid-November, in my view, when things will really start coming to a head between Russia/ Ukraine/ EU/ US.
27 AUGUST, 2014 02:13

Nora said…

Anonymous 23:53, GrievedWhile a Doomsday Scenario for the Donbass is certainly not out of the realm of the possible, I don’t think it’s something Shell, Chevron, Monsanto, Cargill, Biden/Burisma, et. al. really want to have happen. After all, it might cut into their profits.But yes, that ruined town… All these bombed-out buildings are somehow easier to look at. But oh, that ruined, desolated town. It’s the first non-human image, I think, that’s truly going to stay with me.les,Those are some very good points. The messages are loud and clear to the various Big Players but not reflected at all in the propaganda we get. And that set me to thinking about the role of public knowledge during wartime throughout history: I’m guessing that before literacy came into fashion, ordinary people only learned what they could get from the grapevine: not a lot of info necessarily but what there was most likely came from folks who were there. Then, reporters (print, photographs, radio, teevee), even if censored. Then embedded reporters and the poor journalists start dropping like flies. Now, nothing but the official party line plus, essentially, the new samizdat: alternative media online. And it just may be that the Empire is starting to lose control of the narrative. That could be a truly significant change, and maybe the beginning of the end.Anonymous 01:04″We are witnessing a great historical revolution in Novorussia, state of the art hybrid war conducted by the Russian Federation, and the perfect manipulation of the geopolitical moment in the project of the destruction of imperialism, capitalism and neofascism.”I think you’re right! ;~) Perhaps the right combination of military, economic, political and legal efforts, both alone and in concert with others, has finally been found to begin bringing down the Empire? I sure hope so.
27 AUGUST, 2014 02:23

Anonymous said…

Saker,
I was not clear on what excatly a “Cauldron” was but your expanation cleared it up completely! Interesting reading too. You say it’s a simplfied version, would love to read the detailed version! Keep up the great work!
27 AUGUST, 2014 02:25

Anonymous said…

ZHedge has this beauty:
“In an effort to avoid unintentionally strengthening the Syrian government, the White House could seek to balance strikes against the Islamic State with attacks on Assad regime targets.”I predicted this 2 years ago. USA would intervene either directly, or would shoehorn itself in via war on terror bullshit.What’s the possibility of Syria officially requesting direct military operational assistance from Russia? That’s the only way to keep Obama’s vile mechanization from playing out, I’m afraid
27 AUGUST, 2014 02:30

Julian said…

I would also add, if the Ukraine situation starts being resolved, or if the situation deteriorates to a ‘hopeless’ point – Russia needs to start responding in kind.Again, I would suggest not until mid-November. Give diplomacy a chance, but if it proves useless, Russia needs to start asking questions.The Kiev Snipers, apparently trained in Poland would be a good start. Russia needs to demand a international investigation into the sniper shootings in Maidan.http://www.voltairenet.org/article183373.htmlIf the West tries to refuse, no gas for you Warsaw!!
27 AUGUST, 2014 02:40

Alien Tech said…

>>The political powers in Kiev order the commanders of the so-called “anti-terrorist operation” to show some results.<<This typically means showing more dead and wounded, how else do you show you tried hard enough? Means really bad for the troopers.
27 AUGUST, 2014 03:02

michael/tucson said…

thanks….i needed that….every time i would see the word “cauldon” i would envision the three witches in “macbeth”stirring the pot….chanting “double double toil and trouble fire burn and cauldrons bubble”….now how accurate is that!!!!even Shakespeare is kicking some ass!!!! thanks Saker!!
27 AUGUST, 2014 03:03

Anunnaki said…

I’m sure 90% of us read Col. Cassad alongside the SakerBut here is further confirmation that The Resistance now commands the heightsTerribly poignant photo of the destruction of the obelisk.A fitting reminder of Ukraine’s irredeemable fascismhttp://cassad-eng.livejournal.com/72060.html
27 AUGUST, 2014 03:51

Anunnaki said…

Anon 1:23Ukraine will never run out of ammunition. War criminals Obama, Kerry and Fogh of War will replace everythingOnly a general revolt will stop this. When conscripts refuse the call upWinter is disaster for a destroyed Novorussiya. It will be a humanitarian nightmare for PutinGas for Peace is the only hope. America certainly doesn’t care about its own citizenry (cutting off water to Detroit citizens)So why would they care if all of Europe freezes
27 AUGUST, 2014 03:58

Anunnaki said…

I also have long wondered when the junta would run out of ammunition of all sorts, especially artillery. They fire indiscriminately, constantly, and with little fire discipline.
——That is to make up for the fact that Uki conscripts only get 12 bullets to practice with their rifles in training before sent into battle
27 AUGUST, 2014 04:01

Anonymous said…

I had a good laugh at Saker’s response to Anon about “Blitzkrieg”. That was precious!Sure, power plants leave a lot of nuclear waste, probably sufficient for some ‘dirty bombs’, but even in Hiroshima and Nagasaki lots of people survived decades after the bombing, although not without serious health problems. That would be the most stupid way to try to ‘cleanse the territory’ of unwanted people, without endangering the future owners and even Biden’s son enterprise in shale gas.I’ve read somewhere months ago that trains with nuclear waste from European power plants were waiting on Polish-Ukrainian border, as Tymoshenko promised them to bury the waste somewhere near Chernobyl ( if she wins election); She didn’t and I wonder where that waste is now? Perhaps Taruta planned to bury it somewhere in his trenches on Russian border? But we would know by now, there’s enough Geiger meters around.Ukraine can certainly nuke themselves more likely with the existing nuclear power plants in Chernobyl-like accidents, when the shortage of gas becomes more evident. But they cannot produce any viable nuclear bomb, unless their ‘israeli Kolomoisky friends’ help them with it. But it would be as silly, as cutting the branch one sits on. I know they are psychopathic murderous maniacs but not suicidal, yet.So I’m looking forward to Novorussia total independence from the freaks! When I look at those videos and spirit of self-defense forces – it renews my hopes for the humanity!
27 AUGUST, 2014 04:55

Anonymous said…

“A lot of people are wondering what the deal is with the so-called “cauldrons” in which the Ukie forces seem to get surrounded over and over again. Are the Ukie generals simply stupid, or what is the deal?”When I was a kid I had a friend whose little brother’s antics remind me of bandera nazi military tactics. He noticed a fan working, so he went over to it and stuck his finger into the whirling blades. Fortunately, they were soft plastic, so it didn’t chop his finger off. Just made him wail from the pain. About half an hour later, when he had calmed down, he walked up the fan and again stuck his finger in it. :DOn a serious note, I think the scum giving the junta army its marching orders are not trying primarily to conquer Novorossia, but terrorise the civilians instead. So the tactics and strategy they use is designed to maximise that terror. The ZPC/NWO mainly seems to want Russian response and don’t seem to care how they use up Ukrainian dupes in order to goad the Russians.It’s not a military strategy at all, which the ZPC is pursuing in the Ukraine, but a political strategy of pure terror. That seems to be their basic strategy against independents now worldwide. I suspect they used their think tanks to study various scenarios and came to the conclusion that they cant fight any more, so they engage in terror to try and achieve their goals. It’s all about creating as much terror as possible and lie like hell through the Jewish owned western media. An elaborate bluff.вот так
27 AUGUST, 2014 04:55

Anonymous said…

OT, somewhat, but good news:China to Replace Google, Microsoft With Homegrown OShttp://en.ria.ru/society/20140825/192333372/China-to-Replace-Google-Microsoft-With-Homegrown-OS.html”…”After concerns about US surveillance and a monopoly probe of Microsoft, there is some good news for China’s homegrown operating system (OS): a desktop version may be ready in October,” wrote Xinhua on August, 24.As tensions between the US and China grows over cyber security issues, Beijing is seeking a way to become independent of imported systems like Microsoft’s Windows and Google’s Android. The new operating system is expected to first appear on desktops and later to be adapted for smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.”China has more than a dozen mobile OS developers with no independent intellectual property rights because their research is based on Android,” said Ni Guangnan, Chinese Academy of Engineering representative, as cited by Xinhua.Ni believes that a new homegrown operating system will replace the American software within one or two years. However, it will take about three or five years to supersede the imported mobile operating systems by OS developed by Chinese programmers.Reuters emphasizes that about a year ago China banned government use of Microsoft’s Windows 8 due to security concerns and initiated an investigation against the IT giant accusing it of anti-trust violations.Google Inc. as well came under attack from Chinese authorities, who pointed to the fact the software manufacturer “had too much control over China’s smartphone industry via Android mobile operating system,” notes Reuters.The revelations made by Edward Snowden provoked even further tensions between Beijing and Washington, while a string of hacking cases exposed by China and the US has added fuel to the fire.According to Ni, the ban imposed by Beijing on Windows 8 evidently triggered a rapid growth of the Chinese information technology sector and “opened the door to domestic OS developers.””Creating an environment that allows us to contend with Google, Apple and Microsoft – that is the key to success,” he said.Still Ni admits that the project needs serious investment and further development.”

вот так

27 AUGUST, 2014 04:59

SanctuaryOne said…

I am going to assume that nuking Novorussia, as Anon at 23:53 suggests, while a possibility is both a red line and not Empire’s desired outcome. An endless civil war to weaken both Russia and to a lesser extent the EU is what Empire wants.I am curious why US satellite intel, which must be technically excellent, of resistance artillery, tanks and strategy has not prevailed.But perhaps a Kiev win is not desirable until all the cities’ infrastructures are destroyed and ethnic cleansing complete?
Any thoughts?
27 AUGUST, 2014 06:07

John 97205 said…

FULL TRANSCRIPT – Putin speech in Minsk, Belarus, 26 August
27 AUGUST, 2014 06:19

Anonymous said…

Dear Saker.
We know that the “Militia” is dead (according with Zakharchenko in his video) and now the Novorussians have a “formal” army.
Well, as you say often, Ukies have more weapons, more troops (or cannon fodder, whatever), more everything but moral, do you consider a right step to convert militia in a formal army?
Formal army seems to me like a heavy pachyderm and hard to do fast movements as militiaman in small “guerrilla” group does.
Since I have no military skills nor knowledge in this area, am I very wrong?
If yes, could you explain the main differences between both?
And again, many, many thanks for the excellent work you do to keep us informed.
Cheers.
27 AUGUST, 2014 06:33

SanctuaryOne said…

Speaking of cauldrons, Macbeth comes immediately to mind and more than just a little appropriate:”Double, double toil and trouble,
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble”SECOND WITCH:
“By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes”
27 AUGUST, 2014 06:40

Anonymous said…

Paul Craig Roberts posted this today:Guest Interview with former German Defense Ministry Official
August 26, 2014 | Categories: Guest Contributions | Tags: | Print This Article Print This ArticleFormer official of the German Ministry of Defense says the world has heard enough of
EU lies.“People here in Germany are fed up with NATO lies.”It is a 5 minute interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Y28LR3tyk&feature=youtube_gdata_player
27 AUGUST, 2014 06:46

Anonymous said…

@Anonymous 23:53Blitzkrieg did not work in USSR in 41, and will not work now.
The rest of your post shows that you are a moron and will waste of time any answer.
27 AUGUST, 2014 06:48

Frustrated Canadian said…

War is not for the timid, I suppose, but I am more than a bit leary of the “opening” to Mariupol and the rather sudden turnaround in Resistance fortunes — as much as I hope it to be true.Surely no one seriously underestimates the utter devious and malicious character of the US, who is advising and supporting Kiev.Watch your backs, boys.
27 AUGUST, 2014 06:59

Anonymous said…

The chances of a false flag are now very high. I remember reading this blog just over a month ago when the Kiev Junta was on “the back foot” regarding the southern cauldron then MH17 incident happened.
27 AUGUST, 2014 07:42

Anonymous said…

One hundred Ukies seem to have raised the white flag somewhere in the South.””In the area of the settlement Kotelnikova negotiations surrendered 94 demoralized [Ukies],” he said at the headquarters of the army DND.The grouping of the Ukrainian military, previously locked in Amvrosievka according to militias on Tuesday tried to escape from the environment in the South-West, but was dropped at the same position, having lost 50 men killed and wounded.”http://dnr-news.com/dnr/2753-sdalas-v-plen-pervaya-sotnya.html
27 AUGUST, 2014 07:43

thierry_st_malo said…

Why don’t you discuss the fact that Mr Poroshenko has dissolved the Ukrainian parliament? It seems to me highly significant, showing that the “Kiev government” is unmanageable.
27 AUGUST, 2014 08:00

Anonymous said…

@Grievedsuitcase nuke:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suitcase_nukeHardly a TOPOL-M, but it does make me wonder, a little, why there are vast amounts spent on ICBM’s / Subs etc when a squad of backpackers could presumably do most of the damage?
27 AUGUST, 2014 08:27

Anonymous said…

In the south african invasion of angola, full air support was provided to the invading forces…
27 AUGUST, 2014 08:42

Anonymous said…

i don’t think it is smart to explain them ukies where they are wrong. left them in the dark. don’t explain to them what they have to do better in military terms?
27 AUGUST, 2014 09:02

Anonymous said…

Good work Saker. My support to the freedom fighters in Eastern Ukraïne. I an an ethnical Western european but disgusted by the western imperialism and disgusted by our dictatorship the eussr.
27 AUGUST, 2014 10:40

sasy said…

EU won’t be feeding Kiev with billions. Why not? 1) economic woes at home (try persuading the Greeks their tax euros should go to aiding thoroughly corrupt Ukraine politicos). 2) Euroskeptic movements’ electoral advancesThe-demented-Swede-from-another-planet, Bildt, wants Donbass wiped out and then rebuilt with EU cash.http://novorossia.today/main-news/markadomanis-the-european-union-isn-t-go.html
27 AUGUST, 2014 10:46

Ixtlan said…

@Saker. You mentioned chess in this Post.Although this content focuses on China’s strategic posture, given what I read here, one could equally substitute it with Russia.Weiqi (Go) and Chess – Strategic Thinking versus Tactical ThinkingA bit of background on Weiqi: The game known in English as go, Igo in Japanese, Weiqi in Chinese, Baduk in Korean — is not just more difficult and subtle than chess. It may also be the world’s oldest surviving game of pure mental skill. As for the origin of the game of Weiqi, it is known to have been developed in China, but the dates are open to much speculation.Although I am a “newbie” to the game of Weiqi, the differences between Chess and Weiqi quickly became clear to me. At the same time, those dissimilarities seemed to reflect as well the differing approaches to foreign policy and diplomacy of China and the United States.Whereas Chess is, as one Grandmaster put it, “99% tactical”, Weiqi/GO is a game of strategy. Militarily, Chess is a single battle; Weiqi is a multi-front war. The former is conducted on an 8×8 board; the latter on one of 19×19 squares or 361 interstices. Chess is a game that relies entirely on the left hemisphere of our brain, the analytical function; Weiqi requires the employment of both left and right brain hemispheres – analytical and perception of spatial patterns respectively. Chess is designed for short term engagement and Weiqi for the long term. These features and how they relate to geopolitical theory will be readily apparent.Object Of The GameChess: Checkmate Opposing King = Total Victory
Weiqi: Obtain Larger Territory = Greater “market share”Brain Functions Used In PlayingChess: Almost Entirely Analytical (left brain).
Weiqi: Fully utilizes/integrates analytic (left brain) and artistic/pattern recognition (right brain) functions. Intuitive analysis. One requiring multi-tasking.Number of possible First Moves.Chess: 20 White x 20 Black = 400.
Weiqi: 361 Black x 360 White = 129960, although symmetry reduces this number to an effective 32,490.Estimated Number of Possible Board Configurations

Chess: 10 to the 120th power
Weiqi: Most believe that the correct figure is in the order of 10 to the 174th.

Military Analogy

Chess: A single battle.
Weiqi: An entire multi-front war.

The Nature of Play

Chess: Primarily tactical, with only a modest strategic component.
Weiqi: Profoundly strategic, but with incisive, complex, integral tactics.

While the United States, a Chess player, is tightly focused on the Iraqi/Middle East conflict, which it considers to be the key to world peace and a springboard for global American hegemony, the Chinese and Russians are playing Weiqi on the global game board; with long term goals and multi-front objectives. While other global interests and alliances burn, America fiddles in the Middle East.

Russia and China are waging a multi front, non-military war while the US is obsessed with extending its domain by threat, and military coercion; seemingly incapable of the multi tasking necessary to look after its global interests. The US is investing several hundred billion dollars in a war, which in the end will bring no benefit to the United States, only grief and increasing, unsustainable debt. In the meanwhile, the Chinese are accumulating trade surpluses.

It seems to me that Russia and China are following the basic principles and concepts of Weiqi;

Acquiring territory by isolating its opponent’s pieces, by finessing them, not using force and the assumption that removing the “King” or the opponents “pieces” will secure victory.

Engaging in a multi front effort: not narrowly concentrating and counting on a single objective to achieve its ends.

The US and the Ukies are using Chess as the basis of their strategy.

27 AUGUST, 2014 11:00

Lance said…

When the dust settles, seems oligarchs will control the region, or we will see true power of the people, for the people, and by the people. I’m guessing Strelkov was the later and Putin the former.I can’t help but feel those DPR soldiers are akin to the Americans who fought the revolutionary war only to see bankers run the place within a few years.Saker do you give any mind to this? If the DPR wins and holds any land, who really controls the resources in the end?
27 AUGUST, 2014 11:36

Maedhros said…

This is an online conference with a former surgeon of the Slavyansk hospital (he performed operations on Strelkov’s soldiers and left the town together with the retreating Militia). He now lives in Russia. He is the man pictured on the unforgettable blood-chilling photograph above, which has become one of the symbols of the war in Donbass, of the atrocities committed by the Ukrainian army, and of the irrepressible spirit of the people of Novorossiya.http://slavyangrad.org/2014/08/25/the-view-from-an-operating-room/Below you can find the original in Russian and a version in Italian:http://www.ortodossiatorino.net/DocumentiSezDoc.php?cat_id=35&id=2890
27 AUGUST, 2014 11:41

Anonymous said…

Julian said About waitingvfor all the elections and conferences in the world before he comes to rescue the Russians in Donbass.
Then why not wait for another 14 years?? That will please his western partners more.can there be such a weaakling to lead the world or nation?
27 AUGUST, 2014 11:54

Anonymous said…

One of the best threads yet. Very clear explanations in several areas.Can you imagine the effect on the Russians were there to be nuclear explosions so close to Moscow? I suspect within minutes Kiev would be flattened by a similar weapon.The World would then recoil in horror.Probably at bigger risk are the NPP in Ukraine. Just destroying the electricity pylons around them is enough to initiate a huge problem. Fortunately non are in the warzone.JohninMK
27 AUGUST, 2014 12:06

MK Ngoyo said…

@Vineyardsaker
These are all western propaganda myths. One can wonder why Hitler lost and Stalin won if that was the case.Haven’t you heard? It was the weather and the mud that defeated Hitler in WW2.
27 AUGUST, 2014 12:34

Yonatan said…

A video showing the harsh treatment handed out by the militia to those who don’t want to fight.http://www.nsfwyoutube.com/watch?v=qT4PYpn6jrs
27 AUGUST, 2014 12:45

MK Ngoyo said…

The conflict between Russia/China and the West is moving to Syria. It appears that the US has conceded defeat i.e accepted Russian terms in Ukraine.However, they want to exact revenge in Syria using the pretext of ISIS. US has said they will attack ISIS in Syria both from the air and on the ground and without Syria’s permission.I hope Assad does not fall into this trap! US attacks on ISIS in Syria will be a replay of the R2P intervention in Libya. The target is Assad not ISIS.The US is already prepping the ground. The UN accuses both the Syrian government and ISIS of committing atrocities. US attacks on ISIS will also target Syrian forces, in order to prevent their ‘atrocities’.Syria and Russia must act fast to prevent US military intervention against any target in Syria.First they must point out the hypocrisy of the US claiming that Russian humanitarian intervention in UKraine is invasion. While insisting on their right ot bomb Syria without its permission.Second, Russia and China must, together, veto any UNSC resolution authorizing attacks in Syria.Third, Syria must urgently request and Russia must send forces to Syria to confront ISIS. Russia must undertake the bombing of ISIS in Syria so that the US has not pretext to do so.The removal of Assad i.e a massive defeat for Russia in the Middle East will be disastrous for Russia’s geopolitical prospects. This cannot be overstated.The critical point of Russian geopolitical defense is now not Novorussia but Syria once again.I hope Putin does not make the same mistake Medvedev make re Libya.
27 AUGUST, 2014 12:52

MK Ngoyo said…

The conflict between Russia/China and the West is moving to Syria. It appears that the US has conceded defeat i.e accepted Russian terms in Ukraine.However, they want to exact revenge in Syria using the pretext of ISIS. US has said they will attack ISIS in Syria both from the air and on the ground and without Syria’s permission.I hope Assad does not fall into this trap! US attacks on ISIS in Syria will be a replay of the R2P intervention in Libya. The target is Assad not ISIS.The US is already prepping the ground. The UN accuses both the Syrian government and ISIS of committing atrocities. US attacks on ISIS will also target Syrian forces, in order to prevent their ‘atrocities’.Syria and Russia must act fast to prevent US military intervention against any target in Syria.First they must point out the hypocrisy of the US claiming that Russian humanitarian intervention in UKraine is invasion. While insisting on their right ot bomb Syria without its permission.Second, Russia and China must, together, veto any UNSC resolution authorizing attacks in Syria.Third, Syria must urgently request and Russia must send forces to Syria to confront ISIS. Russia must undertake the bombing of ISIS in Syria so that the US has not pretext to do so.The removal of Assad i.e a massive defeat for Russia in the Middle East will be disastrous for Russia’s geopolitical prospects. This cannot be overstated.The critical point of Russian geopolitical defense is now not Novorussia but Syria once again.I hope Putin does not make the same mistake Medvedev make re Libya.
27 AUGUST, 2014 12:52

Seamus Padraig said…

BOT TAK is right: the Ukies are more concerned with provoking a Russian response than defeating the rebels. That’s why they have spend most of their time and effort shelling civilian areas in the Donbass. Western media covers for their blatant ethnic cleansing, but Russia media shows it, increasing outrage in Russia. Washington and Kiev have been gambling that Moscow will cave in to public pressure and invade the Donbass. But it hasn’t happened yet.I also agree with Saker: this is a good moment for a rebel offensive. Even if an attack on Mariupol is ultimately unsuccessful, if the battle proves costly enough for Kiev, it could have a negative impact on morale in western Ukraine. Draft resistance in Transcarpathia, for example, is already on the rise. Remember the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam? That was widely cited as the moment Uncle Scam lost control of the narrative. This offensive could have a similar effect on Kiev.
27 AUGUST, 2014 12:54

Anonymous said…

Credible reports online are trending in the direction of a significant partisan presence in various oblasts augmenting the current NAF offensive – a presence that until now has remained largely underground.All support to free Novorussia!
27 AUGUST, 2014 12:55

Bill said…

Why are the Novorossians able to keep the junta’s forces in the cauldrons, though? The surrounded forces have superior numbers, armor, and internal lines of communication and movement. So, why don’t they pick a spot on the boundary of the cauldron and just force their way out? That’s what tanks were originally developed to do: overrun dug in defenders.
27 AUGUST, 2014 13:08

Nora said…

Mr. Nora and I were sitting on the porch swing over coffee this morning still raving over Zakharchenko and Kononov, whom I just think of as “the guy with the eyes” who clearly understands English… ;~) They’re knowledgeable, principled, intelligent and well-educated, they see things clearly and are obviously quite comfortable stating their case and arguing their points directly, indirectly, succinctly and/or in detail, depending on the requirements of the situation. They would be most impressive indeed in a time of peace and yet they’re quite competent militarily as well.And at first I was just lamenting the contrast between these men and any of the mental and moral cretins we’ve got in DC or anywhere else. But then I thought of Porochenko hightailing it out of that meeting yesterday with his tail between his legs, and Yats, who just looks about as principled as he is, and it hit me. Can anyone think of any person the AZ Empire has *ever* installed *anywhere* who can hold a candle against these two men? Of course not! Because intelligence and integrity are hardly included in the satrapy or congresscritter job descriptions — what we’re looking for instead is unquestioning compliance, a willingness to lie and a liking for bribes, plus of course a sufficient quantity and quality of skeletons in the closet to be easily controlled by the NSA et. al.Google tells me there are 742.5 million souls in Europe as of 2013 and 313.9 million in the US as of a year earlier. Now let’s be generous and say there are still 3 million people (somehow) still breathing in the DPR. And men this fine rose to the top, in a time of crisis no less. Just think of what could be done elsewhere once people rid themselves of their oppressors and focus on the basics once again!Here, of course, they’d have to turn off the teevee, stop blaming the other side in The Great American Culture Wars, and re-learn how to think. sigh. So right now I’m figuring we’re about the last place on earth it could happen, and wondering if we’d even recognize, much less appreciate, the qualities these men display
27 AUGUST, 2014 13:09

Anonymous said…

Seamus Padraig said…27 August, 2014 12:54″Remember the Tet Offensive in Viet Nam?”The “politicians” overruled Giap and friends and so the outcome was more nuanced.It is generally unwise to base strategy on historical example – note I didn’t use the word analogy.
27 AUGUST, 2014 13:51

Anonymous said…

It is also noted in the paper that apart from Greeks, two battalions of Serbs and even 25 US citizens are fighting for “traditional human values” alongside militia in southeast Ukraine.According to earlier reports, within the Vostok Battalion, DPR’s most prominent defense force, are volunteers from Spain, Italy, France, Spain, Canada, Russia and Poland.http://en.voicesevas.ru/
27 AUGUST, 2014 14:05

Anonymous said…

The G I movement-hundreds of acts of resistance ranging from individual to collective actions, from passive resistance to sabotage, fragging and open mutiny-has raised the spector of mass rebellion in the military. The anti-war movement has mobilized and educated the majority of Americans. Despite overwhelming opposition to the war, the US has continued its genocidal attack on Indochina under the disguise of “Vietnamization” and troop withdrawals.http://www.sirnosir.com/archives_and_resources/library/articles/gi_revolt.html
27 AUGUST, 2014 14:11

Anonymous said…

http://novorossia.today/novorossia-news/pavel-gubarev-the-inflow-of-volunteers-t.html
27 AUGUST, 2014 14:14

NotSoFast said…

I believe Clive Maund has only written about precious metals until now but he is clearly joining the ranks of the doubters:http://www.clivemaund.com/article.php?art_id=3278
27 AUGUST, 2014 14:20

Maedhros said…

Legally, a nation can nuke its own territory, so this wouldn’t even represent a ‘war crime’.
===========================I like the smell of idiocy in the morning…
27 AUGUST, 2014 14:28

Larchmonter445 said…

IxlanBravo. I wrote here months back about GO. I briefly stated the similar analysis. Yours is a complete and wonderful presentation for the folks here to learn and comprehend.Indeed, from my studies of China and recent newbie studies of Putin and Russia, it is very clear that the Eurasians are using GO-thinking.I’m not quite certain the Hegemon is ever playing Chess. Bombing and ethnic cleansing is so wild that it remains unclear there is anything like chess going on in their minds.
But I agree with the notion that Go is the non-Western mode. Even for the great Chess-minds of Russia, the superiority of GO as the game planning operating system will win in the end.GO is a referenceI employ in my own espionage novels, so I have a strong affinity for it.You straight-forward post was spot on.
27 AUGUST, 2014 14:44

Anunnaki said…

@MK Noyo:I read on Zero Hedge that Obama is considering bombing ISIS in Eastern Syria without permission.But he doesn’t want to give Assad any tactical advantage so he will bomb gov’t positions as wellIf that happens, esp. after Obama’s pathetic “we’re no. 1 speech” yesterday, then there can be no doubt that ISIS is and has always been an American/Israel joint sponsorshipIf that is the case, Iran should invade Northern Iraq and drive them out ala what Putin should have done in May with the Uki fascistsBTW for a guy who jut came off a month of golfing. Obama looks old and haggard. Like any vampire, he is withering in the sun
27 AUGUST, 2014 14:44

John 97205 said…

The Ukraine Rope a Dope
Brad Cabana / Rock Solid Politics
27 August 2014I like the vision 😉 :At the time of this post there are 9 encircled formations of Ukraine troops with an estimated total strength of 20,000…the units now trapped, and the ones trapped prior to this and already eliminated, represent the entire core of Ukraine’s professional army……the NAF has moved in the South…including an amphibious landing just east of Mariupol on Ukraine’s south coast……With Ukraine’s entire rear exposed, including all the way to the capital Kiev, it will have no choice but to rapidly withdraw West…The NAF will…be free to advance in the centre and bypass (if still heavily defended) or capture Slavyansk and area moving directly to the City of Dnepropetrovsk on the Dnieper River – which is to become the new westerly border of a new Novorossyia (New Russia).…Once the NAF capture and secure Melitopol, the Ukraine defences along the Crimea border are exposed from the rear. At that time the separatist region of Moldova, Transnistria, which houses Russian and “Transnistria Self-Defence Forces”, is likely to strike southward toward Odessa.…All these moves combined mean a few things…Ukraine will cease to function as a country. Its already desperate financial position will be crippled by the loss of one half of the country – the most resource rich part. Thirdly it means that Ukraine will become landlocked and essentially a new “pocket – like” area. If NATO were to move into this area, they would be surrounded on three sides by Russia, Novorossyia, and Belarus. It would be indefensible. Therefore, Ukraine, or what’s left of it, turns into an economically barren no mans land between East and West…
27 AUGUST, 2014 15:13

Anonymous said…

It was mentioned in another threat and it is continue coming up with more and more evidence
From Uploader Xendrius:”I noticed that the ‘death’ of Foley
made headlines on Swedish news,
and those good-for-nothing journalists
ACTUALLY BELIEVE THIS IS THE REAL
FOLEY, so I carefully analyzed the
footage, the interviews, and every
other piece of data, and concluded,
without any doubt, that the person
who is supposed to be beheaded, is
not James Foley.Because they assume ‘Hey, if the US
government says it’s real, it’s real.’It seems that they are using the
beheading video, to have ‘truther’
channels shut down. I have seen 2-3
channels shut down because of “breach
of community guidelines” for uploading
the full video. In other words, a trap.
Video (6 min):100% FAKE: James Foley Beheadinghttp://www.ForbiddenKnowledgeTV.com/page/26634.html- Alexandra
27 AUGUST, 2014 15:17

krollchem said…

Interesting commentary given the map of bridges across the Dnieper river:
The Ukraine Rope a Dopehttp://rocksolidpolitics.blogspot.com
27 AUGUST, 2014 15:30

Larchmonter445 said…

John 97205 and Ixlan ‘s GO presentations converge.Brad Cabana’s work demonstrates the strategy that involves not just the units and movement on the ground, but the “space” in the geo-political realm —nullification of Ukraine as a viable nation and the the “blocking” of NATO moving into the vacuum.Putin through Novorossiya is taking Ukraine down and jamming an invisible wall in front of NATO.He spoke of trade and commercial interests yesterday, saving one pithy comment at the very end of his speech at Minsk for the situation on the ground. He has made it impossible for the EU and Kiev to continue the notion that they could ever win against the will of Russia (and Novorossiya).Brilliant! And he offered them a carrot. Join him in the construction of Eurasia as the next big marketplace. From Lisbon to Vladivostok.
27 AUGUST, 2014 15:53

Anonymous said…

I said “the worst-planned Soviet operations”. Not all of them. Some were brilliant, such as Bagration orbthe liberation of Crimea. Others were disastrous, such as the first incursion into Romania.Regardless, one problem the Red Army had throughout WWII was an inflexible command structure, one that gave junior commanders very little discretion to change or abandon objectives or otherwise react to an unfolding situation as it arose.That seems also to be the case in the Junta forces.Anyway, i am no worshipper of the Wehrmacht, nor do I mistake them for supermen. They weren’t.
27 AUGUST, 2014 15:58

juliania said…

Thank you, thank you, John 97205!!I watched the YouTube video of the speech all the way through, tantalized but hoping somehow to miraculously absorb the content of it – at least it gave me the beautiful venue and comportment of the participants.This will be a long read, but I am so appreciative – the best parts of the comments for me are the helpful translations into transcript. God bless you for taking the time to post this.
27 AUGUST, 2014 16:09



Donbass: Birth of a new democratic republic

Patrice Greanville
The Novorussia phenomenon. 
While the abject American media, in cahoots with the rest of the capitalist press, continue with their lies and decadent evasions, exciting events are actually taking place in the world.
WE OFFER A COMPLETE TRANSCRIPTION (See our Appendix 1)  OUR THANKS TO THE VINEYARD OF THE SAKER, a wonderful site devoted to in-depth, truthful coverage of events in Ukraine. 

donetskRepublicPressConf
[T]he American imperial obsession to destroy Russia as a competing world power has inadvertently detonated a democratic revival in parts of the conflict zones, such as Eastern Ukraine, where the people of the Donetsk’s People’s Republic (DPR)* are seeking a new form of independent rule without oligarchs of any stripe. Few events are as dramatic and important these days as the struggle in the heroic Donbas region where a new society full of promise is being born.

Flag_of_the_Donetsk_People's_Republic.svg

Humanity owes a great debt to these brave people. They are showing the way out from the current global cesspool of political apathy, endless wars,  obscene inequality, widespread poverty, and ecological devastation into which an American-led capitalism has plunged just about everyone in this planet. We should salute the people of Eastern Ukraine for resisting so nobly the onslaught of the Kiev/NATO war machine. It is a most inspiring feat. 

Press Conference – Formation of a state – 24 Aug 2014

* The Wiki provides—rather coldly— the following definition:
The Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR or DNR) (Russian: Донецкая народная республика,Donétskaya naródnaya respúblika, Ukrainian: Донецька народна республіка, Donets’ka narodna respublika) is a self-proclaimed state in eastern Ukraine. It is part of the self-proclaimed Federal State of Novorossiya. 

DO READ THE WHOLE TRANSCRIPT WITH VERY HELPFUL READER COMMENTS ON THE NEXT PAGE

1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:10,000
[Alexander V. Zakharchenko, Chairman of The Council of Ministers of The Donetsk National Republic] As you all know, a week ago we announced our plan to attack. We started it yesterday.

2
00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:25,000
Until yesterday we have been preparing for the attack, examining trophy equipment, arming the crews, and testing communication between different military formations.

3
00:00:26,000 --> 00:00:35,000
I can now proudly announce that we formed 2 tank battalions, 2 full artillery brigades, 2 Grad divisons, 

4
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1 mechanized infantry battalion, 3 infantry brigades and a special purpose assault airborne brigade.

5
00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:48,000
All these units have now received Army numbers.

6
00:00:49,000 --> 00:00:57,000
The communication system have been regularized and 2 field hospitals and 1 maintenance brigade have been formed.

7
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We have begun testing all these units in battle. Yesterday we began an attack on Amvrosiyivka enemy group.

8
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According to our data, in the course of the offensive, the enemy lost about 45 units of military equipment, we captured 14 units of military equipment,
and about 1,200 people were killed and wounded.

9
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There are two cauldrons at the moment, in Amvrosiivka and Starobeshevskaia.

10
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We started to advance at 4 a.m. on Elenovka, where the fighting is still going on.

11
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2/3 of Elenovka is under our control. We hope to clean up these areas before the night. However, the offensive will not end at that.

12
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We will continue until we free all populated areas in the Donetsk National Republic.

13
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The army is ready and we have the support of the people. There will be more and more prisoners.

14
00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:17,000
Now regarding the Parade. I deliberately put the trophy
equipment on display on Lenin Square.

15
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Everything that will come to us from Kiev, will end up in the same condition sooner or later.

16
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The more will come, the easier it’ll be for us to restore our economy.

17
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As you may know, metallurgy is one of our main industries.

18
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I would like to thank the Minister of Defense for the close cooperation, understanding of the challenges facing the government, for his unlimited capacity to work and for his personal courage.

19
00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:13,000
[Vladimir Kononov, Defense Minister of DNR]
Dear journalists, TV audience, I would like to appeal to you.

20
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The Ukrainian aggressive occupation army came on our soil. They brought a nationalistic ideology that has no respect for human life.

21
00:03:35,000 --> 00:03:44,000
Their only interest is in our territory and resources.

22
00:03:45,000 --> 00:03:54,000
They launch their vile attacks on residential civilian complexes with grandmothers, women, and children.

23
00:03:55,000 --> 00:04:06,000
Just yesterday they fired on a residential quarter and
killed a 9-year-old girl. There was no militia there.

24
00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:22,000
They use sneaky tactics of mobile mortar groups that come to a place, shoot at it for 10-20 minutes, and quickly leave.

25
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We already have all data on the movements of these mortar groups. They will be neutralized soon.

26
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Now regarding the armed forces.

27
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This is a uniform force with the principle of undivided authority that
prevents disobedience and disorder, contrary to those who call the DNR army Makhnovist, etc.

28
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It's a lie disseminated by the Kiev’s junta as well as by those who have unleashed tanks, Grads, and artillery against its people.

29
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You can now ask your questions.

30
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Does the militia fire on the houses?

31
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Let me correct you right away. We were the militia 10 days ago. Today, we are the armed forces of the Donetsk National Republic.

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The DNR’s armed forces by no means try to strike on
residential neighborhoods and houses.

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We don't and never will practice this. This is our homeland, our soil, and our Motherland.

34
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This is a war on our territory that we want to preserve. We're not animals. We are not fighting in Kiev, we are fighting at home.

35
00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:25,000
Channel 1, Moscow. How would you characterize the Ukrainian armed forces’ response to your offensive? Were they aware of it? Are they in confusion,
resisting or rolling back?

36
00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:37,000
Most likely they knew about our counter-attack as we did not make a secret of this. They didn’t know the time and place of the attack.

37
00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:45,000
There are regular army officers who, unfortunately, at some point graduated from the Soviet military schools and the Academy.

38
00:06:46,000 --> 00:06:57,000
They were preparing for different options, and have guessed some of them. The fighting was heavy because the regular units fight well.

39
00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:06,000
The regular army really fights, gets defeated, but never gives up.

40
00:07:07,000 --> 00:07:21,000
Those who roll back are the battalions of Shakhtersk, Aydar etc. They are usually easy to attack because they retreat at the first shot and never engage in direct fire contact.

41
00:07:22,000 --> 00:07:26,000
They usually retreat and call on the regular units, and then they start to attack together.

42
00:07:27,000 --> 00:07:34,000
Again, the fighting is very heavy.,You can feel the enemy’s superiority in their quantity of equipment.

43
00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:41,000
To give you an idea of the intensity of the fighting: we cross about 40 km in the day.

44
00:07:45,000 --> 00:08:09,000
The Parade of prisoners of war we’ve seen this afternoon, isn’t it against all humanitarian conventions and motions of dignity?

45
00:08:10,000 --> 00:08:15,000
As a lawyer, I can say that we did nothing against international law.

46
00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:21,000
The prizoners were not undressed or starved.

47
00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:28,000
Show me a single international law, which prohibites parading prisoners. We have not done anything illegal.

48
00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:52,000
What was the purpose of this parade? Were you trying to send a message to Kiev?
Why did you make a decision to parade the prisoners of war?

49
00:08:53,000 --> 00:09:18,000
Kyiv said that they will march in parade in Donetsk on the 24th. So they did.

50
00:09:19,000 --> 00:09:26,000
Poroshenko didn’t lie: they were here together with their hardware.

51
00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:33,000
This week Lugansk received humanitarian aid from Russia.
Are you waiting for such help, and when do you think you can expect it to come?

52
00:09:34,000 --> 00:09:37,000
We expected it yesterday, even before Lugansk.

53
00:09:38,000 --> 00:09:43,000
Our city’s population is bigger than Lugansk, so it was logical to send it to us first.

54
00:09:44,000 --> 00:09:50,000
But situation in Lugansk is much harder, so it was sent there first.
I hope that we will receive our help soon.

55
00:09:51,000 --> 00:09:53,000
Are there any negotiations about the terms of delivery?

56
00:09:54,000 --> 00:09:59,000
Yes, the negotiations were conducted on the same day as Lugansk, but, unfortunately, we didn't get it.

57
00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:03,000
Will Lugansk share their received help with you?

58
00:10:04,000 --> 00:10:10,000
As practical business managers, we would like it. However, from the humanitarian position we understand that the situation is more difficult there. 

59
00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:24,000
We have to rely on our own resources for now. Hopefully, help will come soon.

60
00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:30,000
there are historical parallels with July 1944 and the March of the Nazis. Did it happen by accident or was it done on purpose?

61
00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:37,000
Honestly, we have recently seen one of the insignias of the 2nd separate brigade: 
the complete emblem of the Galicia SS Division, a 79 SS Galicia badge.

62
00:10:51,000 --> 00:11:12,000
When we saw the full symbol of this Division... Many Russian families suffered losses in the Second World War. One of the ancestors in my family fought against the Galicia SS Division.

63
00:11:13,000 --> 00:11:19,000
This is not just a parallel, this is generational: my great-grandfather,  and now I, and the same division…

64
00:11:20,000 --> 00:11:28,000
That’s why a desire was born to repeat 1944 so they would realize that it all already happened before, it has repeated itself with the same result.

65
00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:32,000
Every time you come to Russia with a sword, “from a sword you will perish”.

66
00:11:33,000 --> 00:11:41,000
Unfortunately, dear journalists, the West tries to invade us with a regularity of 30-50 years.

67
00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:51,000
That is, every 30-50 years the Western civilization tries
to impose on us their opinion and their way of life.

68
00:11:52,000 --> 00:12:02,000
The First World War, the Great Patriotic war, the Crimean war before that
and so on well into the depths of history.

69
00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:09,000
As a result, the West traditionally gets the fall of Berlin, Paris, etc.

70
00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:15,000
There is Maidan every year In Kiev – “Those who don’t jump are Moskals”.

71
00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:29,000
The West comes every 30-50 years to get what it deserves. Now in 2014, they are slightly delayed.

72
00:12:30,000 --> 00:12:40,000
What kind of aid do you now get from Russia?

73
00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:57,000
individuals and certain organizations send us food, clothes, and medicine.

74
00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:04,000
Ramzan Kadyrov has collected humanitarian aid worth of $70 million, which is now waiting in Rostov.

75
00:13:05,000 --> 00:13:10,000
It was not a state program, it’s from the Republic and the President of Chechnya.

76
00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:19,000
....experts in artillery from Samara?

77
00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:29,000
I will invite several officers of the French Navy, who want to fight with us.

78
00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:37,000
They are willing to give an interview. We have Europe fighting amongst us.

79
00:13:38,000 --> 00:13:48,000
The European ideals of equality, fraternity, and the French revolution, as in the Marseillaise, resonate with the patriots of France.

80
00:13:49,000 --> 00:13:58,000
It means, the nation is not dead, since it has such representatives who are willing to go to the far away place to fight for their ideals, which the Bastille was once taken for.

81
00:13:59,000 --> 00:14:07,000
Yes, there are volunteers: the French, the Russians. Is it a bad thing? It’s great.

82
00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:27,000
Are there regular Russian military units fighting on your side?

83
00:14:28,000 --> 00:14:37,000
If you think that Russia is sending its regular units here, then let me tell you something.

84
00:14:38,000 --> 00:14:45,000
If Russia was sending its regular troops, we wouldn't be talking about the battle of Elenovka here.

85
00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:54,000
We'd be talking about a battle of Kiev or a possible capture of Lvov.

86
00:14:55,000 --> 00:15:05,000
Now there is a war on our soil for our territory. We have an influx of volunteers from all over the world.

87
00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:12,000
Of course, the Russian help would be very desirable, but from a political point of view it is impossible and unrealistic.

88
00:15:13,000 --> 00:15:18,000
Thanks, by the way, to the European countries. You do not acknowledge this war just as you did not acknowledge the great Patriotic war, didn’t you?

89
00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,000
You support the anti-terrorist operation against terrorists and separatists.

90
00:15:22,000 --> 00:15:29,000
Have you not developed a Charter of free territory,
I believe, in Switzerland?

91
00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:34,000
A Territory has a right of self determination and
separation after a referendum.

92
00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:40,000
Germany lives by the same principles. There will be a referendum in Scotland soon.

93
00:15:41,000 --> 00:15:47,000
That is, you call your own principles democratic and
carry them out (almost) democratically.

94
00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:56,000
The example of Czechoslovakia was peaceful. Yugoslavia, unfortunately,
was torn into a thousand little pieces by you. 
Using military methods by the way.

95
00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:59,000
We have the same thing happening here.

96
00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:06,000
That is, if you stop pursuing a policy of double standards and will be able to understand that people live here.

97
00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:12,000
What is our fault? The fault of Donetsk, Donbass, our land?

98
00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:22,000
That we are asked to live independently? That we wanted to live the way we want?
To speak our language? To make friends with whom we want?

99
00:16:23,000 --> 00:16:36,000
We didn't want to go to Europe. We have different mentalities, religion. 

100
00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:39,000
But we have a different religion. We want to go East.

101
00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:46,000
We wanted to live the way we want, but we were not allowed to. We were called terrorists and separatists.

102
00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:55,000
Please note, we did not capture any regional administrations, nor did we scorch district departments. That’s what the Maidan did.

103
00:16:56,000 --> 00:17:06,000
Slogans: "No oligarchy”, “Equality and brotherhood", "Freedom of religion and language", "Freedom of choice".

104
00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:11,000
All these slogans are from the Maidan. We want the same thing. So why are we the bad guys?

105
00:17:12,000 --> 00:17:18,000
What did we do to deserve being bombed from planes?, shot at from tanks?and have phosphorous bombs dropped on us ?

106
00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:25,000
Explain to me what an anti-terrorist operation is?!

107
00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:35,000
There police forces and intelligence services are involved, and not regular military units, military vehicles and aircrafts.

108
00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:38,000
Dear journalists, please correct me if I am wrong.

109
00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:43,000
If we are terrorists, then the police and the security service of Ukraine must fight us.

110
00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:54,000
30, 25, 95, 72, and 76 - the entire Ukrainian army is present on our territory.

111
00:17:55,000 --> 00:18:08,000
Three conscriptions, the national guard, territorial battalions, private battalions Aidar, Azov, Shakhtersk, Donbass, Dnieper-1, Dnieper-2, Dnieper-3, battalion Kiev, and now Kryvbas.

112
00:18:09,000 --> 00:18:19,000
What have we done? What is our guilt? The fact that we have shale gas, for which you want to erase entire Slavyansk from the face of the earth?

113
00:18:20,000 --> 00:18:24,000
Or any other financial interests?

114
00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:35,000
We are all descendants of the glorious ancestors. We all have ancestors that we are proud of.Only between the two of us there are two Heroes of the Soviet Union.

115
00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:43,000
We are still able to hold weapons in our hands. We swallowed with our mothers’ milk a pride and desire to live in free and happy Donbass.

116
00:18:44,000 --> 00:18:50,000
We’ll tell anyone who comes to harm us on our soil: we will fight tooth and nail for our Motherland.

117
00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:55,000
Kiev and the West made a big mistake by awaking us.

118
00:18:56,000 --> 00:19:06,000
We are the hardworking people. While others were jumping on the Maidan for 300 grivnas, our people were down in the mine, mining coal,
melting metal and sowing crop.

119
00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:10,000
None of us had time to jump, we were busy working.

120
00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:22,000
When a person who just yesterday worked with a jackhammer or operated a harvester,
today got behind a steering wheel of a tank or Grad, or picked up a machine gun,
the line has been crossed and you cannot stop him.

121
00:19:23,000 --> 00:19:28,000
The one who left his job knows that he will fight to the end and to his last breath.

122
00:19:29,000 --> 00:19:34,000
You may pass it on to others: do not wake the beast. Just don’t.

123
00:19:35,000 --> 00:19:43,000
While there is still an opportunity, let mothers spare their sons.

124
00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:57,000
For some, perhaps this will be terrible news: there still lie several hundred soldiers of the armed forces of the Ukrainian army under Panovka,
Saur-Mohyla, who are unaccounted for.

125
00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:04,000
Families receive “missing in action” letters. They are actually dead. Kiev authorities do it on purpose.

126
00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:13,000
Hundreds and thousands dead in more than a dozen graves. I announce it officially.

127
00:20:14,000 --> 00:20:25,000
Let everybody know if you received a "missing in action" letter, then most likely, your husband, brother, or son got killed.

128
00:20:26,000 --> 00:20:42,000
[Vladimir Kononov]
I can you give an example from the battle of the 72nd and
25th batalions against us in Shakhtersk. I have all the documents
of the soldiers who burned near the wrecked machinery.

129
00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:54,000
We returned the bodies to the Ukrainian army. Two weeks later, we received information that they were “missing in action”.

130
00:20:55,000 --> 00:21:00,000
Why did they bother to pick up the bodies?

131
00:21:01,000 --> 00:21:14,000
It was reported that the Ukrainian army from the beginning of the conflict had 12,000 killed, 19,000 wounded and 5,000 missing.

132
00:21:15,000 --> 00:21:25,000
They are not missing, they were killed and buried under Karachun, in Krasnyy Liman…

133
00:21:26,000 --> 00:21:32,000
They were dumping bodies from a helicopter with stones tied to their feet into the Blue lakes near Slavyansk.

134
00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:37,000
Vladimir Petrovich, let's not excite our press with such gruesome details.

135
00:21:38,000 --> 00:21:46,000
Poroshenko said that all 120 people out of 1200 who participated in the Parade in Kiev, will go to the East.

136
00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:58,000
Now I want to say: I don't want to fight. It wasn’t my choice, but I'll fight till the end for my land, no matter who, when and how numerous they were.

137
00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:10,000
This is a battle of annihilation. Unfortunately, the Slavs are fighting among themselves and destroying their best people.

138
00:22:11,000 --> 00:22:14,000
We want to reach out to all the relatives and mothers: do not send your sons here.

139
00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:19,000
Leave us alone. Let us live free and in peace.

140
00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:27,000
We didn’t come to you in Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, or Zaporozhye. We are not marauding your villages, raping your women, killing your elders and stealing their military decorations.

141
00:22:28,000 --> 00:22:37,000
Remember decorations for Stalingrad, the capture of Berlin, Gold Star medals, Orders of Glory, Orders of the Red Banner,
mixed up with women's earrings?...

142
00:22:38,000 --> 00:22:45,000
We don't do that. We want to live on our land the way we want. We don't need you. We are different.

143
00:22:46,000 --> 00:22:56,000
Ukraine of the East and the West is an artificially created conglomerate. However, we didn’t start this war.

144
00:22:57,000 --> 00:23:10,000
If someone has a political conscience, a will and a courage of a real man, I'm just suggesting to stop this operation.

145
00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:22,000
You don’t have to recognize our status, just leave us alone within our borders of Donetsk and Lugansk republics, 
and we will kiss each other goodbye.

146
00:23:23,000 --> 00:23:39,000
A question from the French newspaper Libération. When will a press conference with the French internationalists,
that you mentioned, take place?

147
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:51,000
They will arrive tomorrow. Talk with Vladimir Petrovich tomorrow. Contact him through his press Secretary.

148
00:23:52,000 --> 00:24:06,000
Do you think the meeting with Poroshenko will bring any positive solutions?

149
00:24:26,000 --> 00:24:34,000
Let me clarify. No federalization can be possible today.

150
00:24:35,000 --> 00:24:50,000
There is time for everything. We asked for the federalization 3 months ago,
then we asked for a permission to hold a referendum.

151
00:24:51,000 --> 00:24:58,000
That time has passed, now we want to live independently.

152
00:24:59,000 --> 00:25:14,000
The Ukrainian authorities are using police methods to subdue us: they arrest us, cordon us off, and conduct anti-terrorist operations against us.

153
00:25:15,000 --> 00:25:25,000
By now so much blood has been spilled and so many people have died for freedom. How can we speak of federalization?

154
00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:37,000
What is federalization? This is a series of bureaucratic procedures that need to be done.

155
00:25:38,000 --> 00:25:42,000
But we want to live independently. We have very rich land.

156
00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:57,000
Talks about subsidies is a lie perpetrated by thieves to steal money. Each President understood this very well and always participated in it.

157
00:25:58,000 --> 00:26:06,000
We are a self-sufficient region with its agriculture,
developed industry, forests, fields, and seas.

158
00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:12,000
We have everything from a “Switzerland” to the sea.

159
00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:26,000
Resort areas, agriculture, chemical and coal industry, rich minerals, gas deposits, etc.

160
00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:33,000
Despite close ties with the rest of Ukraine,
we can and must be able to feed ourselves.

161
00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:43,000
If they do not understand it in a good way,
then we will ask them in a hard way.

162
00:26:44,000 --> 00:27:05,000
I hope that the meeting between Poroshenko and President Vladimir Putin will lead to the taking of our position into account.

163
00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:19,000
About the law in relation to people who are in prison.

164
00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:23,000
Please specify what kind of law you are talking about.

165
00:27:24,000 --> 00:27:38,000
On what basis these people have been arrested?

166
00:27:39,000 --> 00:27:48,000
We have recently adopted a new criminal code and the creation of court-martials and tribunals. Is that what are you talking about?

167
00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:57,000
This is not a law, this is a provision that we have discussed in the Council of Ministers and then submitted to the Supreme Council.

168
00:27:58,000 --> 00:28:07,000
The Supreme Council gave us a go-ahead. Are you asking about people who were arrested prior to this or after?

169
00:28:08,000 --> 00:28:21,000
At the moment we have mostly detained soldiers who violated military discipline and the oath of allegiance.

170
00:28:22,000 --> 00:28:26,000
A court-martial will have to deal with it. Now regarding the rest.

171
00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:36,000
Since the adoption of this law, all detained civilians were transferred to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and
the Ministry of State Security for their hearings.

172
00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:51,000
Depending on the sentence, they will either be released, or subjected to administrative punishments in the form of
community service from 10 to 30 days.

173
00:28:52,000 --> 00:29:03,000
Donetsk Detention Center came over to our side, so civilized places will be used for detentions.

174
00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:26,000
For further clarifications you can enquire at the reception desk of the Deputy Prime Minister or to appeal to the Prosecutor General.

175
00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:30,000
A question about the death penalty.

176
00:29:31,000 --> 00:29:39,000
I'll be honest, I think the death penalty is the highest form of protection of society.

177
00:29:40,000 --> 00:29:44,000
You probably remember that my first decree was to fight banditry.

178
00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:56,000
Yes, this is a widespread phenomenon, because all sorts of criminal elements penetrate under the guise of a revolution.

179
00:29:57,000 --> 00:30:14,000
We must fight it now so we wouln’t have to hunt these paramilitary groups down later. That was the reason behind this decision.

180
00:30:15,000 --> 00:30:20,000
After the long discussions it has been decided to adopt the death penalty.

181
00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:28,000
You all know perfectly well that the abolition of the death penalty does not reduce crime.

182
00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:39,000
Statistics show that with the death penalty abolished crimes “for some reason” tend to go up.

183
00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:46,000
The society, ordinary people, and private entrepreneurs have to be able to live and work in the safety. 
We made a decision to guarantee their security.

184
00:31:00,000 --> 00:31:08,000
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COMMENTS
Anonymous said…
The French Saker should take example on you when you thanks the translators.I translated the Russian appeal to Germany as I thought it was a really moving text, and pasted it in the French Saker comment section (with my email) as I didn’t know how to contact them.They erased the comment and just published it without attribution nor thanks. The ultimate goal was to enable people to read it in French, but a little thank you goes a long way.Anyway this is the occasion for me to thanks all the anonymous “soldiers” that translate for Novorussia : without them we would be blind and deaf to what happens there.Keep-up the good work Saker.
26 AUGUST, 2014 14:21

Anonymous said…

The French Saker should take example on you when you thanks the translators.I translated the Russian appeal to Germany as I thought it was a really moving text, and pasted it in the French Saker comment section (with my email) as I didn’t know how to contact them.They erased the comment and just published it without attribution nor thanks. The ultimate goal was to enable people to read it in French, but a little thank you goes a long way.Anyway this is the occasion for me to thanks all the anonymous “soldiers” that translate for Novorussia : without them we would be blind and deaf to what happens there.Keep-up the good work Saker.
26 AUGUST, 2014 14:23

Anunnaki said…

In for a penny, in for a pound. Let’s end this thing once and for all now that the jig is up!http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/26/ukraine-russian-soldiers_n_5714555.html?ir=World&utm_campaign=082614&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Alert-world&utm_content=Titlehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/world/putin-will-meet-with-ukrainian-counterpart-in-high-stakes-summit-amid-tense-situation/2014/08/26/875db403-5b7b-4d89-8443-5aee1bde6345_story.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/27/world/europe/ukraine.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&version=LedeSum&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0
26 AUGUST, 2014 14:43

Biswajit said…

They certainly did hit the nail in the head.
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:06

Veritas said…

Dear The Saker,What are your views of this incident:http://en.itar-tass.com/world/746693I understand that Ukraine will try and capatalise on this – but shouldn’t border patrols be returned?I also wonder if they were in no mans land and captured there – it just seems odd with all the wins going on with the militias that the Ukie army was there to capture anyone….or the Russians would let themselves be captured.Rgds,Veritas
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:06

Larchmonter445 said…

These guys would never make it as politicians. They speak the truth.A great thank you to the team of people who worked swiftly on this large project.Excellent job, well-done.Thanks, Saker.This video with translation and sub-titles is a great and historic record at a crucial moment in the history of the fight for Freedom.These men explain in crystal clear language their cause, their mind-set, their historical roots and the development of their future.They set it in context of the West fighting wars against Russia. And they welcome the fight.Brilliant. There can be no rebuttal. Liberty over Tyranny.

Henceforth, we shall refer to them as the DPR Army. Marchon! Marchon!

26 AUGUST, 2014 15:11

Paul II said…

Serious people. Thanks for getting that out.This begs the question of whether Russia could live with Donbass independence. Without the Donbass and Crimea, the remainder would be quite anti-Russian. Federalization of an anti-Russian state would not be nearly as good as it would have been a few years ago.
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:16

Anonymous said…

Without a shadow of a doubt, Novorussia forces are comprehensively winning the current battles on their Homeland. If future events would unfold according to the situation today, Novorussia would become another Kosovo, gradually winning its independence across the next year or so.However, the monsters of the West, and their propagandists, haven’t been moving Heaven and Earth to ensure Putin FAILED to send in the peacekeepers for no reason. Do you think the monsters of the West failed to realise the likely success of COVERT Russia assistance against the unthinkable incompetence of its neo-Nazi forces from Kiev?To the CONTRARY, they banked on it. Keep Russian peacekeepers out (would end the conflict immediately, and completely spoil the Demonic plan). Ramp up the conflict so that it gained pride of place in the Jewish mainstream media headline lists. Prepare the world for increasing amounts of NATO assistance on the side of Kiev.The current VICTORY of our side in Novorussia is an even greater victory for the Demons. And today, Kiev is parading the Russian soldiers captured by US special forces operating near the border (yes, the US army already has forces in Novorussia- units comprised of native or near native American Ukrainians who can pass themselves off as locals).The PROPAGANDA value is obvious. By capturing these Russians, it makes it seem to 99.9% of all mainstream media sheeple that everything else Kiev has said in the past was true also. We may ponder the paradox of this effect, when the sheeple were told many days back that Novorussia was within days of falling, but the sheeple have self-healing goldfish memories.Since it is in the masterplan of the Demons to keep Russian peacekeepers out of Novorussia, even the simplest person has to understand that things are going according to (their) plan in Novorussia, no matter how good current events look to us. So think about their next moves.The Jewish leader of the stooge government has, like any dictator, ended the rule of parliament with the sweep of a pen. And only because his UK/US masters required this. The reason is to increase the war footing of Ukrainian society. Human losses must be hidden. Laws must be enforced pushing ‘DEFEATISTS’ who dare to spread or discuss facts about the truth in Novorussia.The Media in the West is CROWING about neo-Nazi ‘volunteer’ units fighting in Novorussia. Any student of warfare can tell you what this is code for. BUTCHER SQUADS. In the US War of Independence, these were German mercenaries on the British side. In the US civil war, these were terror gangs on either side.

BUTCHER SQUADS are units that are ordered to use ANY method to strike terror and chaos- and are usually comprised of very serious criminals. They care little about their own lives, so long as they get to rape, torture and murder with complete immunity.

Meanwhile, NATO is training Ukraine and mercenary units for massive no-mercy all-out land attacks against Novorussia. Putin has near enough perfectly fallen into their trap.

26 AUGUST, 2014 15:37

hardcore said…

Unlike many I am not so puzzled by the “capture” of 10 Russian paratroopers, it’s probably a deliberate ploy!
Like the parade of prisonners which was so criticized as a breach of Geneva conventions it is likely a subtle “double action” PR stunt which had the idiot Ukies fell into head on:
Since they are flooding the medias with photos and videos of this fairly innocuous “mistake” they can now be asked to provide the same kind of evidence for ANY other claim of “Russian meddling”, pwned…
Just like the prisonners parade forced the medias to acknowledge a situation in Donetsk quite at odds with the “official narrative”.
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:37

CubuCoko said…

Apparently, “Russian aggressor paratroopers” are a border patrol that found itself (allegedly) in Ukieland.My instinct is to trust the official Russian statement, since I don’t believe the Ukies “were they to tell me milk was white”, but it would be nice to have this clarified pronto.On a different note – much gratitude and kudos to the translation team. A couple small typos here and there (“Panovka” is Stepanovka” and it’s “Saur-Mogila”), but a fantastic job on such short notice.How difficult would it be to get a cleaned-up transcript as well, at some point?Once again, kudos – and to you, Saker, for making this all possible.
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:39

Monroedavid said…

I wanted to watch the video, but unfortunately the translation ran off the right side of the page and I saw no way to get a full-monitor view in order to remedy this situation.
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:42

Jim Kemeny said…

I half expected this development, the announcement obviously timed carefully. In fact I had this in mind when I wrote my last post on EU: ramshackle empire this morning. There has been a lot happening over the border with Russia.
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:45

Anonymous said…

Thanks to the transcription/translation/subtitling team for their great workI wonder if the full translation could be made available as text (as a post or as a comment). For those of us who don’t understand Russian, it is a lot easier to follow the content that way. This applies to all subtitled material dealing with speeches, interviews, press conferences, etc, where the visual part is not too important.It would also allow easy quoting of key passages.
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:46

Anonymous said…

Saker,
please, how can we help these brave people?
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:49

Anonymous said…

i.e. Cathe, BelgiumDear Saker,
There is a problem with your videos : they are larger than the space of your blog allows, sothat when there are subtitles, one always misses a consistent part of their right side.
Maybe reducing a bit the general size of videos would put things right.Thanks for giving a look.
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:52

hardcore said…

Putin/Porky handshake in Minsk from RT.
LOVE the Putin smile!!!
26 AUGUST, 2014 15:53

the pug said…

good video of novorussian fighters explaining why they joined, and then addressing ukie conscripts, then addressing Nazi guards/rs, and finally speaking to Maiden leaders and oligarchs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7kGVc8F644&feature=youtu.be
26 AUGUST, 2014 16:15

Man From Atlan said…

Posted on Twitter for you, Saker. https://twitter.com/manfromatlan/status/504296833288400898It would be so much simpler if you had a Twitter button so we could retweet your posts for you. You can protect your account so you only get notifications from people you trust, but we can still tweet your posts to a greater audience.
26 AUGUST, 2014 16:16

Anonymous said…

Well, with the latest developments from Minsk, I would say that all the efforts of Novorussia and all the civilian deaths may have been for nothing.It looks like things are going to go back to business as usual with Pigletshenko, Ashton and Putin playing kissy-kissy like nothing ever happened. That’s right, those civilians burned alive? that plane shot out of the sky? It’s all been forgotten.This is why Strelkov was removed by Putin. It was a show of faith as was pointed out by some analysts last week.Pierre Hillard, a French PhD that specializes in the rollout of the NWO has consistently been saying that Putin was part of the game. He took a lot of flak from other dissidents because of that.I did not want to believe it for the longest time; now I am starting to think he was right all along.Soon all sanctions will be lifted and it will be like nothing happened.Even if Ukraine is federalized, what difference will it make? The empire will have won again because there won’t be any in-depth changes (essentially on the monetary front) and they will continue their game of destabilization. Could go on forever.That being said, great job, Saker. Thank you for your dedication and your idealism in all this.

26 AUGUST, 2014 16:20

Veritas said…

Dear Translators,Thank you very much for translating this very important video.Dear The Saker,I have now had a chance to watch the video.I agree this is a must see video. The message is very clear – no federalisation – that has gone – the EU/IMF and USG have only themselves to blame.They ignored the advice given and all those lives lost – and for what? Nothing but death and destruction. :(I really pray that Novorussia will become a reality and the people are left alone – but the lunatics are running the asylum.I have the utmost respect for all of them.Rgds,

Veritas

26 AUGUST, 2014 16:21

teranam13 said…

Great Job translators and thanks Saker..these guys are fighting for all of us keeping a dark night from falling on the world. Redux Spain 1930’s.
26 AUGUST, 2014 16:31

Yavrik said…

the capture of Russian soldiers is a biggie. Whether they were captured inside Ukraine or not, if they are not released soon and are considered as POW’s it will essentially be a declaration of war against Russia.Expect a total cessation of trade, including gas, with closure of embassies, etc. If these soldiers are being held by the Ukies that are now encircled then things are even worse.
26 AUGUST, 2014 16:41

Writer said…

Saker,In cases like this, please consider publishing separate transcripts, in addition to video. There are many people (even in the U.S.) who have very limited internet bandwidth. Reading text is actually a quicker, more convenient, and more accurate way to get the message across.Thank you to everyone.
26 AUGUST, 2014 16:55

dusty said…

WRT the capture of these troops.The Russian government has accepted that they are Russian but there’s more to this than meets the eye.Firstly, captured 25 Km past the border there is no way that they would not have known they were in Ukraine. They know how to read maps and their fones probably have GPS even if they were not carrying navigation aids.Secondly, only 4 of the captured 10 have been paraded in front of a camera as yet, they look rough as dog shite, a marked contrast to the soldiers who crossed from Ukraine to Russia recently. These were not guys who had been gently or carefully treated.Thirdly, they spoke using strange language. Why would a soldier captured by the enemy refer to himself as a hostage rather than as a prisoner? Was this a coded message to those in Russia that what was being said was forced upon them?Fourthly, if this was an invasion then there’d be more than ten men, they’d not be young lads and they’d not have been captured. This means that their presence, purposeful as I am sure it was, was not what it might appear.My guess is that this was a deliberate provocation by some element within the military that wants to see an escalation to war between Russia and Ukraine/NATO. These young men were catspaws sent on a mission the true purpose of which was unknown to them.From what I can see there will be no escalation because the Ukrainians want a way out, the Europeans want a way out and the Russians want to enable that to happen.

Meanwhile, the story will generate miles of crappy, unthinking commentary in the media and people will continue to die unnecessarily.

26 AUGUST, 2014 16:55

Valentin said…

Big thank you to the translators.
It was a funny moment when Zakharchenko described the parade – Poroshenko promised there will be a parade on 24 in Donetsk and there it was – ukrainian soldiers and armor did parade 🙂
26 AUGUST, 2014 17:10

hardcore said…

Huh?
It looks like I just had two comments deleted but I have truly no idea why!
26 AUGUST, 2014 17:19

the pug said…

Agust 25 Sit-rep in English, and more:
http://tatzhit.livejournal.com/2330.html
26 AUGUST, 2014 17:33

dusty said…

Interesting expressions on all the onlookers in the image here: http://img.rt.com/files/news/2c/a6/c0/00/55.si.jpgThere’s not a lot of love for Poroshenko in that room.Putin looks as though he’d enjoy Poroshenko’s heart served in a rich gravy.
26 AUGUST, 2014 17:34

Anonymous said…

Brave and serious men protecting the innocent. They are patriots. It is a shame that Amerika does not have men like this just puppets for Israel, the corporations, banks and Obama.
26 AUGUST, 2014 17:36

krollchem said…

Here is an important in-depth website serving as a chronicle of the Ukraine war against the DPR and LPR. Eventually the information will be turned into a book on Western aggression against the people. See Kosovo Crisis – A Study in Foreign Policy Mismanagement by Vojin Joksimovich for a similar analysis covering the forced definlandization of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY).
The Dirty War on Ukraine http://progressivepress.com/blog-entry/dirty-war-ukraine
Submitted by Progressive Press on Wed, 2014-03-26 02:40
Author bio: John-Paul Leonard
See also: The Dirty War on Syria and The Dirty War on Venezuela.I will let them know of your efforts.
26 AUGUST, 2014 17:45

Seamus Padraig said…

The American Conservative has an interesting take on why Moscow pushed out Strelkov:http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/putins-right-flank/
26 AUGUST, 2014 17:51

Seamus Padraig said…

For those of you having trouble with Saker’s videos, try this:1.) Right-click on the video
2.) Select “Get URL at…”
3.) When URL box appears, press Ctrl+C to copy it to your clipboard
4.) Open a new tab or browser
5.) Click in the URL box and press Ctrl+V to paste the video’s URL into the box
6.) Press Enter to load the YouTube pageThat should work. At least, it’s always worked for me.
26 AUGUST, 2014 17:55

Cosh said…

I live in a remote rural home where wifi is available only at greater expense than my budget can bear. I can’t watch streaming video on youtube or listen to streaming audio but must rely on transcripts. Texts of more important docs would be appreciated if possible. Thanks for your informative site
26 AUGUST, 2014 18:06

Knut said…

I was quiemoved and impressed by the interview up to the point where the leader extolled the virtues of the death penalty. It was a fair question and he gave an honest answer. I don’t like the answer.
26 AUGUST, 2014 18:12

John 97205 said…

“I wonder if the full translation could be made available as text…This applies to all subtitled material dealing with speeches, interviews, press conferences, etc…”While it was nice to see a few minutes of video, and certainly without taking away from the dedication to getting this extraordinary press conference out in a form that many people prefer, I strongly second this, for the same reason: “…where the visual part is not too important.”I always prefer text to a video beyond a few minutes in length (where the video provides no real enhancement), for this reason: at a reasonable reading skimming speed of 400-600 wpm, one can absorb text 3 to 4 times faster than video, considering that speaking speed is about 125-150 wpm.(Excellent choice of name for the video, in my opinion; perhaps, if there is to be a full transcript, even better might be: Birth of a Nation — 24 August 2014)For those with only 90 seconds to spare right now regarding this amazing press conference, I recommend, in addition to this 18 seconds of snarky humor…02:13 – 02:31:Now regarding the parade [Donetsk, Independence Day, 24 August), I deliberately put the trophy equipment on display on Lenin Square.Everything that will come to us from Kiev, will end up in the same condition sooner or later. The more will come, the easier it will be for us to restore our economy. As you may know, metallurgy is one of our main industries.

…this passage:

24:30 – 26:02:

Let me clarify. No federalization can be possible today. There is a time for everything. We asked for the federalization three months ago, then we asked for permission to hold a referendum. That time has passed; now we want to live independently…By now so much blood has been spilled and so many people have died for freedom. How can we speak of federalization?…we want to live independently. We have very rich land…We are a self-sufficient region with its agriculture, developed industry, forests, fields, and seas.

~~~~~~~

Donetsk National Republic (DNR) newly created military forces announced at this press conference:

• 2 tank battalions
• 2 full artillery brigages
• 2 Grad divisions
• 1 mechanized infantry battalion
• 3 infantry brigades
• 1 special purpose assault airborne brigade
• 2 field hospitals
• 1 maintenance brigade

~~~~~~~

Incidentally, regarding transcripts rather than video:

At The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, I found a transcript of Lavrov’s briefing (video version is 83 minutes) yesterday:

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gives a briefing on Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis in Moscow on 25 August 2014

~~~~~~~

I’ve found any problems viewing the videos disappear if viewed directly at YouTube.

26 AUGUST, 2014 18:14

Brian_J said…

@MonroedavidIn the past I’ve had the same issue with Saker’s posted videos – the video is so large that the “full screen” button is hidden off the left side of the screen. If you zoom out (with Google Chrome and some other browsers this can be done by holding down the ctl key and scrolling down with the mouse button or using zoom settings in the menu) you will find the missing buttons.Brian
26 AUGUST, 2014 18:23

Anonymous said…

Do you know that Ukrainian language came from planet Venus?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_jT-1f4ygg–Humour:- Sir, let me tell you about this great people, the people of heroes, the people of Ukraine.- Please do.- You don’t know about this in the US, your nation is young. You see, the Ukrainian civilization is the oldest on Earth and its language comes from Venus.- Eh?

– General, you are not listening.

– Professor, I am listening, but I don’t understand what you are saying.

– Experts have confirmed the Venusian origin of our language.

– Venus is hot, isn’t it?

– Very and its fire lives in our hearts. We are invincible.

– I see. And your civilization is old?

– It is not simply old, it is very ancient. We inspired all the great civilizations that came later. All of them. Egypt, Tibet, India, China, you name it. Greece and Rome were Ukrainian projects.

– Whatever you say, professor. And after that?

– We had a hard time, especially in Europe. Have you tried teaching the British? The French? The Germans?

– No, professor, I haven’t.

– General, with lots of patience, we helped them build European civilization and how did they reward us? We got nothing in return. It is time our services are recognized. Let them compensate us financially, as they should have done long ago.

– If your civilization is so great, why are you in need?

– Those pesky Moskals, of course. They can’t stand us being superior. They have been working against us for centuries, but they never succeeded completely. Our ancient history still inspires the leaders of this country. It was my task to brief Poroshenko. He listened attentively and decided to show the world what Ukraine can accomplish. When we have re-conquered Krim, we may march to Moscow and start educating the rest of the world about our ancient ways. Imagine a world inspired by the ancient wisdom of the Ukrainian civilization! We can teach Merkel a thing or two. We can take Obama by the hand and help him save the US economy.

– You can?

– Yes, we can.

– Why are you telling me all this?

– We want you to take this important message to Washington.

– I will, I promise you, I will.

26 AUGUST, 2014 18:26

John 97205 said…

Anonymous (@ 26 AUGUST, 2014 15:49) wrote:”Saker,
please, how can we help these brave people?”I’ve not evaluated this, but I have no reason to doubt the authenticity, or that all financial aid will be well-utilized:Fundraising for militias of Novorossia (DPR and LPR)The fund is spent on assisting self-defense units of the Southeast – DPR and LPR, organization of the delivery of humanitarian aid to the regions of South-East – DPR and LPR, the provision of targeted financial help to the victims of the mercenaries, as well as other activities related to the spread of accurate and objective information about all the events taking place in the Southeast – DPR and LPR.
26 AUGUST, 2014 18:35

Anonymous said…

People having trouble watching embedded videos on this blog:Click on the title of the video (usually in white letters) near the top edge of the video window.This will open a separate window where you can watch the video in the YouTube website.Problem solved.
26 AUGUST, 2014 18:37

Anonymous said…

Thanks for translating this. I also second the idea of written transcripts. In addition to the reasons already stated, videos tend to get deleted off youtube and a written record is easier to save for posterity.вот так
26 AUGUST, 2014 18:44

Tradecraft said…

Clear and concise. Thanks to you Saker and all who help you in translations.r n r,from U.K.
26 AUGUST, 2014 18:46

Anonymous said…

To all with slow internet:Took me 5 seconds to find Google2SRT program by searching google. This java app downloads just subtitles from Google Video and YouTube unless it’s embedded. The subtitles (in srt format) are perfectly readable.I tested the app for you using this video. Transcript would include the speakers, so you would know who said what (though easily distinguishable for QA sessions like this one), but it may come handy when transcript doesn’t exist and no one will make one.snippet:
1
00:00:00,000 –> 00:00:10,000
[Alexander V. Zakharchenko, Chairman of The Council of Ministers of The Donetsk National Republic] As you all know, a week ago we announced our plan to attack. We started it yesterday.2
00:00:11,000 –> 00:00:25,000
Until yesterday we have been preparing for the attack, examining trophy equipment, arming the crews, and testing communication between different military formations.3
00:00:26,000 –> 00:00:35,000
I can now proudly announce that we formed 2 tank battalions, 2 full artillery brigades, 2 Grad divisons,
26 AUGUST, 2014 19:04

VINEYARDSAKER: said…

@Anonymous: The French Saker should take example on you when you thanks the translators. I translated the Russian appeal to Germany as I thought it was a really moving text, and pasted it in the French Saker comment section (with my email) as I didn’t know how to contact them. They erased the comment and just published it without attribution nor thanks. The ultimate goal was to enable people to read it in French, but a little thank you goes a long way. Anyway this is the occasion for me to thanks all the anonymous “soldiers” that translate for Novorussia : without them we would be blind and deaf to what happens there. Keep-up the good work Saker.REPLY FROM THE FRENCH TEAM“Dear Anonymous,I remember you well. You are right. Partly. You posted the article translated into French as a comment on our site……as I had already finished my own translation of it (it was in the course of publication when I saw your stuff).I could have explained, or thanked you… had you joined any email adress of yours. But there was none.So now I thank you for your kind effort and collaboration. Both of which I regret that we could not use at that time.Best regards,

Goklayeh, for The French Saker”

26 AUGUST, 2014 19:09

AntiNWO said…

DNR militiaman addresses his former ukrainian army colleaguesGreat video from a courages soldier.
26 AUGUST, 2014 19:17

NotSoFast said…

re: Re: why do’nt the young men of Novorussia defend their cities?Thanks for the positive comments – it is a very welcome change for me to get informed and interesting comments instead of blank stares.@ Rootman:
The video is entertaining as you say, but I have the impression that the young lady does not have much success with her critical questions :-)@KRG:
Fluoridation of water is a subject that I haven’t bothered with so far: do you have links where I can familiarize myself with the subject?@Anti NWO from Trst:
You are most certainly right: immigrants who cannot or will not assimilate are a destabilizing factor: I’ll add that to my list of manipulations.Thanks for all the inputs. And thanks to Saker for making these exchanges possible.
26 AUGUST, 2014 19:22

know the truth said…

They had a chance to settle peacefully for federalization of Ukraine 3 months ago, but listening to their “one indispensable nation” paymasters they decided to play hardball and use military means to subjugate the peoples of the Donbass. Now they have let the genie out of the bottle and practically guaranteed the one thing they were trying to prevent, an independent Donbass. The Novorussians will now settle for nothing less than full independence and they have the military means to back it up. The stupidity of the “exceptionals” is truly mind boggling.
26 AUGUST, 2014 19:36

Anonymous said…

Thank you good people
Marina, Erebus,Michael and Vaughan
Jean-JacquesGreetings from Croatia
Mnogo pozdrava i ljubavi iz Hrvatske.
26 AUGUST, 2014 19:40

Anonymous said…

For those having problems with the video being too large, try changing the resolution higher on your monitor. I use 1024×768 not particularly high but works fine.
26 AUGUST, 2014 19:49

Auslander said…

I think some of you are missing the vast importance of this news conference.In a nutshell, Novorossiya will not surrender and will not ever be a part of Ukraine, they will fight to the death first. This would not have been said without the specific permission of the Czar, make no mistake.The formation of a good sized army was announced, a well balanced and experienced army and I’m sure the civilian cadre and rear echelons are also in existence.The resistance behind the ork lines is growing exponentially. The panic in Mariupol is a cast iron grin to watch. Has anyone noticed that the orks have pulled down every unit they can get their hands on to guard Mariupol? Think about that in the context of the operations in central Novorossiya.The next three days are going to be of interest. Birth of a nation indeed!
26 AUGUST, 2014 20:01

Anon Mongoose said…

Wow, wow! What an education on the situation on the ground. Just Incredible. Superb.Patriots – not rebels at all. These freedom fighters are highly organized into a full-fledged country with all the governing institutions for a society.From this video (thank you very much Mr. Saker) there is no going back to ante February 22, 2014. Can’t see them accepting anything less than being fully independent country and a member at the UN.Kiev-junta had best move on with salvaging what is left. Ask Ms. Lagarde for a quick re-work of the IMF proposal.So Mr. Putin made it clear Kiev will need $165 billion over 10 years just to bring Ukie’s up to EU standards. No mention of existing debt.Good luck with that as Deflation rears its ugly head. ECB looks to do QE and with suggestions from CFR that the US start the copter engines with money drops directly to consumers= = = = =the 10 captured Russians. Captured and kidnaped are interchangeable words. I endorse that they were kidnapped “coincidentally” to embarrass for today’s meeting in Minsk.

= = = = =

@ ALL with video challenges. Mr. Saker and his “helpers” did their utmost best. Be gracious lots of speedy effort went into getting this Vid translated. Watch it on Youtube.

Carry On.
AM

26 AUGUST, 2014 20:09

Anonymous said…

To those seeking a transcript:As someone said you can click on the title of the embedded youtube video and it will take you to the youtube site. There you will find a menu below the view counter. The third button from right says “transcript” and there you will find all the subtitles with timestamp. You can mark as usual: Left click, hold button and scroll down slowly. Then copy & paste.
26 AUGUST, 2014 20:52

Vaughan said…

After reading the letters on this page allow me to make this suggestion. IMO as astute suggestion.
If you live in the West, tear down your TV antenna, cancel your PAY TV Subscription and reclaim your brain!Stop watching and listening to the poison the Western Corporations spew from this technology as it effects your judgement even IF you think you have it covered.
Find reliable news sources, find news that YOU need to hear and reject the rest of the swill.
Reclaim your brain!
26 AUGUST, 2014 22:58

Daniel Rich said…

The capture of ‘Russian paratroopers’ is as believable as the on camera beheading of James Foley.
26 AUGUST, 2014 23:24

Yonatan said…

Anonymous 19:14The website KeepSubs does the same thing online.You feed it the url of the video you are interested in, press the ‘download’ button and a list of srt files in the various languages supported appear with links for downloading.
26 AUGUST, 2014 23:30

les said…

To the Saker:This is a powerful video. You should repost it to the top again in a week to give it more exposure.These are two very impressive men. I first watched the video in russian and while not speaking the language was impressed with the body language. Now hearing the clear and concise statement of their actions, their vision and their purpose – I am dee3ply encouraged. Note that after the clear explanation of the way that they defend their language, homeland, culture and religion – together with a clear explanation of how this is an issue of liberty that all of western Europe should identify with – there are no more questions. There were simply no other questions to be asked. His statement answered them all even before they were asked.These are very solid men, rooted in reality and yet very able to respond both to the military situation and the politics of the questions.Is is profoundly encouraging to see such leadership in Novorussia.
26 AUGUST, 2014 23:31

Tar and Feather The Bastards said…

@ Monroedavid I haven’t gone too far down the comments so someone may have said this already – Reduce the size of the page (CTL- at same time) and the You Tube logo will come into view – that should fix your problem if I understand you correctly . . . .or click on the title and it will open in a new window/tab.‹(•¿•)›Saker Excellent video and thanx as always to the translators How lame are some of those reporters questions eh ?? Don’t call them presstitutes for nothing. No q’s about the actual damage to civilian infrastructure or to the numbers of dead and injured, just “oh you can’t do that to prisoners” garbage – Loved the way he responded.Lets make this go viral guys. Go to the you Tube page, “like” the clip and press the play button so it counts as a view. And send to your local media outlets tooCheersChris in Ch-Ch
26 AUGUST, 2014 23:42

Nora said…

Vaughan,Yes! I really do think lifelong teevee watching contributes more to passivity, lack of original thought and general inertness than anything else in our culture. Your brain only grows by using it, not by munching away and tossing down a few while being spoon-fed a lovely menu of crudeness, violent fantasies and stuff we absolutely must buy. It totally sets up people to settle for meaningless sound-bites rather than actually think anything through for themselves. Half the population doesn’t even know the difference any more; they really think they’re thinking. That’s why it’s so hard to get through to them: it’s like they don’t even have any receptors any more.
27 AUGUST, 2014 00:31

Michael McDonnell said…

I downloaded this marvelous interview from YouTube, but when I replayed there were no subtitles. Anyone know why?
27 AUGUST, 2014 01:06