Special forces units are being
deployed to eastern Ukraine, but there is growing frustration with the
Ukrainian government, particularly interior Minister Avakov, for not acting
sooner. 150 people have gathered outside the Verkovna Rada (Parliament) in
Kyiv, calling for Avakov’s resignation and for a more aggressive Ukrainian
response against separatists in the East.
The government continues to issue
ultimatums but the separatists throughout the Eastern Oblasts have not reacted
to them. It is the opposite: the extremists are issuing their own ultimatums to
the local and central authorities. In Luhansk, for example, they demanded that
the regional authorities do not submit to Kyiv.
In Donetsk almost all of the local police betrayed Ukraine.
All (or almost all) checkpoints are controlled by pro-Russian groups. One of
the self-proclaimed leaders in Donetsk posted a video today, fully masked and
armed, asking Putin for support and Russian intervention to fight for the
territory. Meanwhile, pro-Ukraine residents are receiving intimidating
‘house-calls’.
92
miles east, in Luhansk, 50% of the police resigned and 50% still serving Ukraine. All
available firearms and ammunition have been distributed to police officers, the
armories are empty. Here, all roads are closed by checkpoints of pro-Ukrainian
police forces. However, while the police are called away from their regular
duties, crime and violence has escalated dramatically.
Both Luhansk and Donestk
regions are sites of massive unemployment, alcoholism and suffering. Decades of
poor infrastructure, a failing education system and negligible services have
rendered these cities, towns and villages rife with poverty and depression.
Not surprisingly, the local
“lords of the realm” are trying to sell their services to the highest bidder.
They aim to guarantee unchecked power and sponsorship. Some journalists are
comparing this to the Chechnya of Kadyrov.
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