Open Letter to the Officers and Soldiers of the Ukrainian Army

                         " You see how hard they fight for Syria. Imagine how hard they will fight for Russia."
                                                     -  Bashar al Assad on the death of Roman Filipov

Officers and soldiers of Ukraine - We have read your secret papers. They have been published, and 
we know your masters will soon order you on a suicide mission to Donbass. Do you not know that many of the soldiers in your army are already on our side, from the General Staff to the soldiers in the trenches at the Front? They are the true patriots of Ukraine, as we are, of the same blood of the Kievian Rus, whose brotherhood goes back together for more than 1,000 years. As brothers, as patriots, as ratniks, we advise you, we warn you, do not invade Donbass on the orders of Western master and their oligarch puppets. They send you to your death. A death without reason or purpose, a death without honor or glory, a fool's errand based on lies, from which you will not return.

If you come here to attack our families and homes, we will fight you, and we will win. You will die here, your blood and bones will fertilize our fields, just as the blood and bones of the German nazis did only a lifetime ago. A human life can be seventy to eighty years. Think about your own lifetime. If you come to Donbass as aggressors, 2018 will be the year you die, 2018 is the number that will be carved on your gravestone, if you get one. Have you forgotten the cauldrons of Debaltsevo and Ilovaisk? Do you think it will be different this time? It will only be worse. And this time, the cauldron waits for you. This time, if you come, it will be you who die here. Do not attack us, and you will not die here.

                     American nazi Mark Paslawsky, “Franko”, on his way to fight in Donbass, August, 2014

                            See where he is now. Don't come to fight in Donbass if you don't want to join him...




Can you not see what has become of the Ukrainian nation and the Ukrainian people? In only 1,000 days, western masters, their oligarch puppets and rabid nazis have covered Ukraine in poverty and misery and shame. They have tricked you with lies. Ukraine will never be a part of the European Union. The Europeans laugh at you as they sell you overpriced garbage and make slaves and whores of your children. In 1,000 days they have almost destroyed a brotherhood that has lasted over 1,000 years. And now comes the moment of truth. And it is up to the true patriot soldiers of Ukraine to stand up and defend their nation and their honor from the foreign whore masters and slave masters and their traitorous collaborators, who have taken control of a once proud and beautiful nation.

                                             USA/NATO/IMF bring "Freedom and Democracy" to Ukraine.


We know that you cannot help but see, as we do, as the world does, that Ukraine is no longer a sovereign nation, that it is controlled by foreign masters and their oligarch puppets, who care nothing for the future of Ukraine, nothing for the people, and nothing for the soldiers who defend it. Take a look at what your country has become. The food and the soil, poisoned by GMO crops, the water poisoned by fracking. The economy in ruins, with wages and pensions slashed, as prices for every necessity of life are being doubled or tripled or more. Am I lying, is this "Russian propaganda"? No, you know it is the truth, you see it with your own eyes. Your medical system is being dismantled, only oligarchs can afford medicine and care, but not your children or parents. This situation has led millions of Ukrainians to leave, to search for a better life abroad, but what do they become? Berry-pickers or toilet cleaners in Poland, prostitutes in Amsterdam, criminals and hitmen in London and Brussels. Is this the future for your children and your nation that you are willing to fight and die for?

                                                                         They are laughing at you.


Look around yourself, see what the Ukrainian Army has become. And think of what it once was. What would Ilya Muromets say if he saw Ukrainian soldiers taking up arms against their kin, their brothers, against women and children?  For every ukrop nazi whose traitor grandfather joined the German invaders, there are scores of Ukrainian soldiers whose grandfathers fought and defeated the nazi murderers and took the war all the way to Berlin. Is not the legendary and historic Victory Flag which was raised over the Reichstag inscribed with the name of the glorious 3rd Ukrainian Army? Were not Ukrainian soldiers at the forefront in the defeat of German nazis and saving the world from fascism? And what would those heroic grandfathers say today, if they saw Azov scum with pictures of Adolph Hitler and swastika tattoos? What do you think when you see this trash, and why do you not say it?

                                                                 Is this what you will fight and die for?

Your army, like your nation, has been enslaved by western fascists, mainly the USA and Canada. All their promises are lies, they are in Ukraine only to kill and steal and destroy. They will use you and dispose of you like toilet paper. Do you think your western "trainers" care how many of you will die if you attack Donbass? Do you think they will be standing alongside you when the order to attack comes? No, while you lay dying in the frozen mud, they will be in Kiev and Lviv, sitting in bars and restaurants, trying to seduce your wives and daughters. Or perhaps your sons...

                                                    They will train your Ukrainian Army to be like theirs...



Do you think they do not know that if you attack Donbass that the Russian Army will come into Ukraine and wipe you out? Don't you know that they know they are sending you on a suicide mission, and you won't be coming back? They will be far, far behind you, and as you fight and die in a battle that cannot be won, that is in fact designed to fail, they will be ready to "comfort" your wives and children and raise their drinks and say "Slava Geroyim" as you lay dying. And they will laugh to themselves as they do so.

And you know who else will be behind you, but not quite so far? The nazi "volunteer" battalions. The ones whose job is supposed to be to come behind you, to rape and murder and torture and terrorize the civilians after you have done the hard and deadly work of attempting to break through our front line positions. But their first job will be as "blocking troops" who will follow behind the real soldiers of the Ukrainian Army and shoot you in the back if you hesitate or don't advance as fast as the nazis behind you think you should. Why else do you think the nazis are being sent from the Front to second line positions? The soldiers of the Ukrainian Army would not shoot their fellow soldiers in the back. But the nazi battalions would, and will. Your foreign masters and their oligarch puppet have decided it is the nazis' job to kill. It is your job to die. Which you will, if you attack us. We will fight you from the front, and we will never surrender or retreat because we defend our homes and families. Your nazi "comrades" and foreign "trainers" will be shooting you in the back at the first sign of hesitation. And you do know the Russian Amy will be coming, and when they do, it will make the cauldrons of Debaltsevo and Ilovaisk look like a picnic. Those who will order you to attack us, foreign exploiters, oligarch traitors and rabid nazis, will be ordering the annihilation of the Ukrainian Army. In a few short hours or days, the Ukrainian Army, and you personally, will cease exist. Forever.

And what will be your legacy? Wiped out on the orders of foreign masters and corrupt oligarchs who sent you to certain death without a second thought. They want you to die, so they can show what's left of your bodies as evidence of "Russian aggression". It is a political game, and you are the sacrificial pawns. They care nothing about you, or your families, or your country. If you follow their orders, you betray yourself, your families and the future of Ukraine. And if you do so, you will deserve everything you get. And the best you can hope for will be a quick death.

                                       It was quick. This is the best you can hope for if you attack Donbass.

But it doesn't have to be this way. It is not yet too late. There are many honorable soldiers in the Ukrainian Army, more than you think. Which is why your masters must use the nazi battalions as blocking troops. Take a look around yourself, look into the eyes of your comrades, your Ratnik brothers. Did your parents and grandparents raise you to take orders from foreigners to wage war against your own people? Will you be willing to take orders from corrupt oligarchs and nazis who will shoot you in the back if you fail to obey? Will you be trained to die by foreign "instructors" who will be nowhere near the battle that they will order you into? Or will you take a stand against everything that has gone wrong in Ukraine, against a civil war started by foreign thieves and murderers that pits brother against brother and has the Ukraine Army committing war crimes against women and children every day? The choice is yours, but the time has come.

                                                          Remember your history. Think about your future.


The people of Donbass and the Novorussian Army are not your enemies. Your enemies are the foreign tricksters who come to impoverish and enslave your families and your nation. Your enemies are the nazi "battalions" who know only how to rape and murder, who will be turned against you too, to attack you from behind. Your enemies are the traitor oligarchs who sell your country and become fat and rich by continuing needless death and destruction, and who will continue until there is nothing left of Ukraine. Then they will take their billions and leave, for London, or Canada, or the USA. And what is left of Ukraine will resemble Iraq or Libya or Afghanistan. The Americans who own your government send their soldiers here to train you how to die, and when they tell you about "freedom and democracy" what they are really talking about is poverty and terror, endless war and destruction and death.

Look! Look with your own eyes at every single place the USA has taken control of in the last 20 years. In every single one, are the results not the same? Do you think their plans for Ukraine are any different?  Do you think the USA does not control Ukraine completely? Will you die, just to make Ukraine like Libya or Somalia or Afghanistan? Do you not know that the oligarch puppets who now make up the government of Ukraine follow every order of their US and IMF masters? Do you not know that the nazi battalions are even now lining up to shoot you in the back if you refuse to die like cattle for foreign masters?

                        Flags of the USA in the halls of the SBU in Kiev. Who is the master, who is the slave?



See who your real enemies are, deadly enemies that will kill you, shoot you in the back and send you to certain death, destroy completely the Ukrainian Army and the Ukrainian nation. You are a soldier, these are your deadly enemies, the real enemies of your families, of your future and of your nation. Deal with your enemies now, before it is too late.

If you attack Donbass, your destruction is assured. As certain as the destruction of the German nazis at Stalingrad, as certain  as the destruction of the Ukrainian Army at Debaltsevo and Ilovaisk. Have no doubt. We will fight you to the death, we will not surrender or retreat. And we will not be fighting you alone. Our brothers will come to our aid, without question. You know this, we know this, your masters know this. Our brothers have said so themselves, that they will not allow genocide in Donbass. They mean it. Against us, you have no chance. No chance. If you come to fight, you will die. All of you. And Ukraine will become a wasteland with no future and a shameful past, a nation that destroyed itself.

Make the right choice, before it is too late. Stand up now against your true enemies, for your life, for your families, for your honor, for the future of Ukraine. Do not obey orders from foreign masters, do not allow fat oligarchs to enrich themselves by your suffering and blood. Do not allow nazis to shoot you in the back.  Return to your family, the Kievian Rus, to your brothers and sisters whose fates have been intertwined with yours for 1,000 years. Together, we are strong, together, no one can defeat us. Together, we will make a better future, for ourselves, for our families, for our fraternal nations, and for the world.

Implications of the Military Capabilities of Ukraine and Novorussia

Since the major offensives by the Ukrainian Army (UA) in the Summer of 2014 and the Spring of 2015, every few months rumors and even official announcements about impending attacks have circulated. In the Spring of 2018, there are again expectations and preparations for "The Big One", a full military assault by the UA against the Novorussian Armed Forces (NAF) defending the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics.

Recent developments in Ukraine and abroad, such as the open delivery of weapons by the USA and Canada to Ukraine, the "Re-intigration Law" and political unrest in Ukraine, the continuous and escalating provocations by the USA against Russia and the upcoming presidential elections and FIFA football championships in Russia make the timing seem ripe for a major military offensive against the Republics by the UA. All of this makes the recent predictions of imminent war all the more credible. Most people whom I have spoken with on the Front, both civilians and soldiers, expect that this time the attack will be for real. The boy in the legend falsely cried "Wolf!" many times, but eventually, the wolf did come. And many people here who are qualified to have an opinion say this time the wolf is coming.

 This article will compare the manpower and military arsenals of the Ukrainian Army and the Novorussian Armed Forces, the disparity between them, and the implications of these facts.  The following estimates are based on multiple sources from Ukraine, Russia, the USA, NATO and Europe. Some estimates varied widely between sources but all sources are from 2017 and represent the latest publicly available information. Whatever discrepancies there may be between the estimates and the actual arsenals, manpower and military capabilities of the UA and NAF, it is quite clear the UA enjoys significant advantages over the NAF in every field measured.
We will investigate these advantages in detail, then explore the implications.
(ALL NUMBERS ARE APPROXIMATE)

Ukraine has a landmass of  603,000 square kilometers and a population of  36 million people. (Not counting Crimea and Donbass Republics.) The Donbass Republics have a combined landmass of 30,000 square kilometers and a population of about 6 million people. The "contact line" between the UA and NAF runs 300 Km, from Mariupol to northeast of Lugansk city.  The UA military budget is between $5 and $6 Billion USD per year, (6% GDP) supplemented with military aid from the USA ($350 million/year).


MANPOWER

The UA is the 23rd largest army in the world in terms of manpower. It has 260,000 active military personnel and 80,000 reserves, making it bigger than the armies of France, the UK or Israel.

The NAF has 35,000 soldiers on active duty and another 30,000 in the reserves. This gives the UA a 7 to 1 advantage in active duty soldiers and a 5 to 1 advantage in total active and reserve soldiers. The UA has 100,000 soldiers on the contact line, facing 25,000 soldiers of the NAF, for a 4 to 1 advantage.

Standard military doctrine dictates an assault force should have a 3:1 advantage to successfully defeat dug in defenders, but according to a 1986 survey of 600 land battles from 1600 to 1973 by the US Army Concepts Analysis Agency,  at a 1:1 ratio, attackers won close to 50% of the time, and when the odds were greater than 3:1, attackers won 76% of the time.  

The UA holds an advantage in manpower over the NAF "greater than 3 to 1", between 4 to 1 and 7 to 1.


MAIN BATTLE TANKS (MBT)

Ukraine began 2014 with 83 T-64BM and 700 T-64BV operational MBT's. But since the beginning of the Donbass War, at least 170 T-64 variants were destroyed, and at least 65 were captured by the NAF. This leaves the UA with 530 operational T-64's. The UA has 72 operational T-72 MBT's.  187 T-80's have allegedly been brought out of storage, overhauled and put back into service with airmobile brigades.  The UA may also have up to 16 T-84 MBT's, six being restored and ten added to the 2018 defense budget. This gives the UA a minimum of  602 MBT's and a possible maximum of 785.

According to the Kiev Post, quoting UA military intelligence sources, as of March 2017, the NAF has 300 MBT's. Like the UA, these are mostly T-64 variants.

This gives the UA a minimum advantage of 2 to 1 in MBT's with a numerical superiority of 300 tanks.


INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLES (IFV) & ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIERS (APC) 

The UA has about 6,000 IFV's and APC's, including 1,198 BMP-2's and 100 modernized BMP-1U's.
Other UA IFV's include 458 BRM-1K armored recon vehicles, 100 BMD-1 and -2's, as well as 1,000 BTR APC's of different variants, and 1,000 BRDM armored scout cars. The most common UA APC is the MT-LB, estimated at 2,300 units.  The UA also has 120 US Army armored Humvees and 20 British Army SAXON Armored Command Center vehicles. Canada has also donated 35 SHREK and SPARTAN APC's to the UA.

The NAF is estimated to have about 800 IFV's and APC's.

The UA has a greater than 6 to 1 advantage in IFV and APC's. With a numerical superiority of about 5,000 units.


ROCKET ARTILLERY 

The UA has 90 TOCHKA-U tactical ballistic missiles, and has used some of them against the Donbass Republics. The TOCHKA-U has a range of 120 Km and a payload of 1,000 pounds. The UA also has 80 SMERCH 300 mm Multiple Rocket Launchers, and 110 URAGAN 200 mm MRL's, and 450 GRAD 122 mm MRL's.

The NAF has 200 GRAD MRL's, and zero TOCHKA-U, zero  SMERCH,  and zero URAGANS.

The UA has a >3 to 1 advantage in Rocket Artillery, as well as advantages in range and payloads, with a numerical superiority of  >500 units.


HEAVY ARTILLERY 

The UA has 297 152mm self propelled howitzers, 247 122mm self propelled howitzers and 99 203mm self propelled guns.  They have 696 152mm towed guns and 443 122mm guns. This is a total of 1,782 artillery pieces of 122mm to 203mm caliber. The UA also has 575 towed anti-tank guns of 85mm to 125mm.

The NAF has about 630 artillery guns of various calibers and configurations.

The UA has a greater than 3 to 1 advantage in Heavy Artillery, with a numerical superiority of about 1,150 pieces.



AIR FORCE AND AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY AND MISSILE SYSTEMS

The Ukrainian Air Force currently has a total of 238 operational aircraft, including 39 fighters and 66 ground attack fixed wing aircraft. They have 89 transport aircraft and and 87 helicopters, of which 34 are attack helicopters. the remaining 40 aircraft are trainers, which can also be used in attack and reconnaissance missions.

The UA has 275 SA-8 and SA-13 short range air defense missile systems. They have 70  SA-19 "Grison" air defense artillery guns, and 20 ZSU-23-4 anti-aircraft guns. They have over 1,000 ZSU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns, which are also deadly in a ground attack role. That is a total of 345 air defense missile systems, and over 1,000 ZSU-23 systems in 2 and 4 gun configurations.

The NAF has a small number of SA-8 and SA-13's, MANPADS, and about 400 ZSU's in different configurations, mostly ZSU-23-2's for ground attack missions.  The NAF has no air force.

The UA has a (minimum) 3 to 1 advantage in air defense artillery.


SUMMARY  - UA VS NAF

Manpower - 4 to 1, with 75,000 more men on the contact line, 210,000 more men in total.
Tanks -  more than 2 to 1, with minimum 300 more.
IFV/APC's - 6 to 1 with more than 4,000 more.
Rocket Artillery - 3 to 1, with more than 420 more.
Heavy Artillery - 3 to 1, with 1,150 more.
Missile Air Defense - 5 to 1, with 345 more.
ZSU-23 cannons - 2.5 to 1, with 620 more.

The UA has major advantages over the NAF in every field measured, of at least 100%, minimum 2 to 1, and as much as 6 to 1.


What can be surmised from the facts that the UA already has a decisive advantage over the NAF, and yet A) they fail to make their move, and B) they continue to receive arms and training from NATO and the West? Quite simply that the UA is not preparing to fight the NAF, they are being prepared to fight Russia.

Vladimir Putin has openly stated that Ukrainian genocide and ethnic cleansing against the people of Donbass "will not be allowed", which clearly means the Russian Army will intervene in the case of a large scale attack. In fact, they have no choice. The anti-Russian sentiment in Ukraine has reached a rabid intensity, and there truly would be genocide committed by Ukrainian nazis in Donbass if they were allowed to overrun the NAF defenses. The people and government of the Russian Federation will never stand by and watch the crimes of the German nazis repeated by Ukrainian Banderists against ethnic Russians in the 21st Century.  This is not only a moral and historical imperative, it is a matter of self defense.

There can be no doubt that the US government has absolute control over the Kiev regime. The US flags lining the corridors of the SBU in Kiev are a potent symbol of it. The futile response to Sakashvili's illegal re-entry to Ukraine, the appointment of US citizens to top posts in government and state industry, the total dependence of Kiev on Western "loans" which can and will never be paid back, (intending to keep Ukraine in perpetual debt slavery) are the proof of it, of the master and slave relationship between the USA and Kiev. Ukraine, the nation, the people, and especially the military, are being forced into a war they cannot win, as cannon fodder and sacrificial sheep, in order to turn their once proud and prosperous nation into a failed state on the Russian border.  A European Libya. This is what Nuland's oft-quoted "$5 billion" was invested for, as well as the IMF's $13 billion. To force Russia into a war on its own border. And to try to turn world opinion against Russia when it is forced to defend itself and its people.  

According to people here who are in a position to know, between now and the end of the FIFA soccer championships to be held in Russia in June and July of this year, Ukraine's western masters will order a full-scale attack on the Donbass Republics by the Ukrainian Army. It will be a blitzkreig along the entire Front, from Mariupol to Lugansk. The strategy will not to be to seal the borders as in 2014, but to first occupy the cities of Gorlovka, Donetsk and Lugansk themselves. These three major cities are all directly on the front lines, and a ukrop advance of a mere dozen kilometers will put them in the heart of all three cities. Enmeshed with civilians and critical infrastructure, the UA will consider themselves immune to Russian artillery and airstrikes.

But the Russian airstrikes and artillery will be coming, with pinpoint precision. And so will the Russian Army.  And not just into Donbass.  Perhaps a "rogue unit" of Pravy Sektor will send a couple of 122 mm mortars across the Russian border near Lugansk, or some Azov berzerker will do the same near Mariupol. Even if they don't, Russia will have more than enough justification for a full military intervention. "R2P" will be coming back to haunt the Neocon nazis, with "Shock and Awe" in full effect.  "WMD's"? WMD's  mean "NBC". "Nuclear, Biological and Chemical". Biological...
It is well known that the US military operates multiple bioweapons labs in Ukraine - in Odessa, Vinnytsia, Uzhgorod, Lviv (three), Kharkiv, Kyiv (four), Kherson and Ternopil. The US Air Force's recent collection of Russian DNA is, in fact, a legitimate justification for intervention against US bioweapon production in Ukraine.  Let's consider what this attack and subsequent intervention and liberation will look like.

The ukrop offensive will begin at dawn, after a long night of heavy artillery attacks on NAF front line and second line positions all along the Front, from Lugansk to Mariupol. As the ukrop troops and armor advance toward front line NAF positions, ukrop Smerch, Uragan and 152mm howitzers will open up on the 3rd line reserve barracks of NAF troops in the city centers. But our second and third line troops will have already moved out the night before, because the ukrops cannot make a move that we do not know about days in advance.  The ukrops will meet heavy resistance on the front line positions. The NAF will not surrender or retreat, and while many positions will be overrun due to the massive advantages of ukrop arms and numbers, breaking through the front line will be a costly and difficult undertaking. The second and third lines of defense will have taken up their combat positions in their own hometowns, on territory they know intimately, and which has been prepared, like the soldiers themselves, for urban combat.

Twelve hours after the ukrop offensive begins, the Russian liberation will begin. There will have been enough atrocities and civilian casualties in the first half day to justify Russia's reaction to the world.
Sergey Lavrov and Vasily Nebeznya will have a busy few days, but the Russian MOD will not be waiting on the results of their work. The MOD will be showing the results of their own.

Within 24 hours, the Russian and Novorussian Armies will control Lugansk, Mariupol,  Kharkov and Kherson. At the same time, airborne troops will take control of the Ukraine/Polish border. Within the next 48 hours, they will control Donetsk, Odessa and Kiev. There will still be pockets of nazi resistance, but the Russian Army knows how to deal with that.

The military campaign will be intense, but over quickly. Nazis and war criminals will be rounded up and dealt with according to their crimes. Some will require only "re-education", others will spend the rest of their lives rebuilding what they destroyed. Criminal oligarchs such as Kolomoisky and Akmetov will face prison and have their assets nationalized. Though Ukraine and Russia do not have capital punishment, justice will be done. The reunification of Ukraine and Russia, politically, economically, socially and militarily will begin.

The US government and its owners may howl about "Russian aggression" and "national sovereignty", but their hypocrisy will be more than evident. Europe will not be willing to risk itself in an actual shooting war with Russia, nor will it be willing to support nazi war criminals against Russian liberators. While the fascists who control the USA and Canada may be willing to go to war with Russia to "defend Ukraine", a war without Europe's support will be logistically impossible for them. Faced with a choice between Russia's fait accompli in Ukraine or a third world war, even the pro-nazi lunatics in the West will make the only sane decision.

So, in the end, Ukraine will return to the Russian family, to the rightful place it has occupied for 1,000 years, and the cynical experiment in 21st Century fascism will meet its just desserts. And afterwards, Russia, and hopefully, the world, will be on guard against those who would attempt to turn brother against brother and revive the vilest political philosophy the world has ever known.
















 













 

Trump, Golstein and "The Saker" - Three Stooges plus 1

"Truth cannot emerge from bullshit, and the truth is the truth, whether you like it or not. The truth does not care whether you like it or not, and neither do I."  - Russell "Texac" Bentley

I have read a couple of articles about Trump in the last few days, from the so-called "alternative media". Specifically, Vladimir Golstein's "Trump is Liberating Us From The Empire's Lies", and "The Saker's" "The Good News about the Trump Presidency: Stupid Can Be Good." Well, if "The Saker" is correct, both of these articles can be very, very good. Because the premise of both articles is very, very stupid. So stupid I had to re-read them both and ask myself if they could be satire. And indeed they are. But the idiots (and liars) who wrote them, and the many fools who read and applauded them don't realize it. But these are more than stupid satires. They are fucking lies.

I first want to say that anyone who "still believes in Trump" is as worthy of ridicule as any adult who seriously says they still believe in Santa Claus bringing presents down the chimney on Christmas Eve. Yes, Trump is (perhaps a little) better than Clinton, and yes, the depth of stupidity of anyone who would even for a second consider "President Oprah" is beyond measure and beneath contempt, but for some reason, there are still people who believe in Santa. I mean Trump. And that's stupid, and stupid is not good...

Why? How can this be? How can people still be so stupid as to overlook the countless crimes and lies of Trump in just his first year? Probably due in large part to the scribblings of dudes like Golstein and "The Saker", who claim the mantle of alt-progressive "intellectuals" while still towing the party line of the Establishment, and who actually still support Trump with drivel like "Trump the Liberator" and "Stupid Can Be Good." How stupid do you have to be to believe (or write) either of these propositions?  I do not intend to deconstruct these articles line by line, just the ideas and messages behind them. But suffice to say every line in both is a joke. Either you get it or you don't. 
And remember, not just a joke, a fucking lie. And lies are not funny.

If "Stupid can be good", exactly how stupid do you have to be to be "good"? Stupid enough to overlook the reality of Trump's continuation and escalation of the criminal wars in Syria and Donbass, his insane attempt to re-ignite war in Korea, and his new nuclear doctrine - first use and smaller "easier to use" bombs. All of these can lead directly to a Third World War, literally the end of Humanity. For starters. But as Trump the smarmy huckster himself might say, "But wait, there's more!" His criminal tax break to the oligarchs and corporations, his escalation of arms sales, his appointment of malignant scum like Nicky Haley, Steve Mnuchin and Jeff Sessions to positions where they can and will do immeasurable harm. His decision to "recognize" Jerusalem as Israel's capitol, contravening history and justice and outraging world opinion. What's "good" about a dangerous and loud-mouthed buffoon whose stupidity offends the world and shames every decent American with his every utterance and tweet? 

And as for "Trump the Liberator" liberating us from lies, I wonder if Golstein is talking about the same Trump I am. Because I am talking about the Trump whose every single campaign promise was a lie, the same Trump who lied when he recently took credit for defeating ISIS in Syria and defeating the German nazis in the Second World War, raping history and the truth with his despicable bullshit,  trying to rob Russia of the rightful honors they earned with their blood, courage and sacrifice. Every move Trump has made, his every tweet and utterance, has been a debacle and a disgrace, and the exact opposite of the truth. People can be forgiven for voting against Hillary Clinton, but anyone who says they "still believe in" Trump is either an idiot or a liar. Or both. And I say Trump, "The Saker" and Vladimir Golstein are both. Idiots and liars.

All three are the controlled opposition, professional bullshit artists of the lowest order, fake rebels, phony populists, who sucker those who are of good hearts but simple minds. They are the political and moral equivalent of the pimps who haunt the bus stations in New York and L.A., waiting to "help and guide" innocent naifs who are seeking direction in a scary and confusing world.  They are the Orwellian opposite of what they pretend to be. Literally - what is the difference between "Stupid Can Be Good" and "War is Peace" or "Freedom is Slavery" ?  Is not the meaning of the phrase "Stupid Can Be Good" exactly the same as "Ignorance is Strength"?  Isn't it?! ISN'T IT?! But the impact is not exactly the same. It is worse.  Because stupidity is worse than ignorance, and "The Saker" posts his vile motto as a political fact. It is the opposite of the truth in real life, not in a book. And real idiots believe it.

                                                                                 From 1984

And as for Golstein's "Trump the Liberator", I am reminded of the portraits the German nazis brought with them to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine in the Great Patriotic War...

                                                                            "Hitler The Liberator"

Pseudo-alternative pseudo-intellectuals like Golstein and "The Saker" and phony populists like Trump perform a very important function for the fascist oligarchy that owns and controls them. They perpetuate the lie that there is any difference in who gets elected in the USA, that elections in the USA make any difference at all, that the USA still has anything to do with "democracy".  Only an idiot could believe these lies. But too many idiots do. Because it is easier, safer and more comfortable (for the moment) to do so. Only an idiot can fail to see the decline the USA has been in for the past 50 years, and can believe it will ever be changed by voting for a Trump or Oprah to "liberate" us. And only an idiot can fail to see where this road to perdition will finally lead.

As Emma Goldman said, "If voting changed anything, they wouldn't let us do it." And Einstein defined insanity as "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."

Only idiots and self-deluded cowards vote in the USA anymore. It doesn't change shit. The primaries are rigged, the machines are rigged, the count is rigged. If by chance the vote was so overwhelmingly against Clinton in the last election that the people who rule the USA were not able to appoint their chosen minion as President, you can be sure, they will not let it happen again. And they have shown that they have complete control over the eunuch buffoon in the White House, so what's the difference anyway? Voting in the USA is political masturbation, an exercise in self-deception and futility. And as for the stooges who tell you that Trump is a liberator or that stupid is good, they are liars, and only perpetuate the deception and futility, and confuse and misdirect those who are sincerely seeking the truth. If you believe Trump, Golstein or "The Saker", you might as well believe what you see on FOX News or CNN. Or believe in Santa Claus.

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                                                                                 P.S.

And as long as I'm winning friends and influencing people with my tact, diplomacy and charm, I might as well mention one more "Comrade", an alleged "Donbass war journalist and humanitarian",
George "G.H." Eliason. 

I first became aware of Eliason back in the Summer of 2015. He was doing a fund-raiser on Indie Go Go for $4,500, to buy a camera and open a bakery in Lugansk. It was clear he had actually been in the LNR in 2014, but I found no evidence or indication other than his fund-raiser that he was still here. I contacted him via social media and asked to meet. Either he could come to Donetsk or I could go to Lugansk. He replied that he could not come to Donetsk because it was "too difficult to cross the checkpoints" (between LNR and DNR, not the Republics and Ukraine.) This seemed odd, but I offered to come to Lugansk and meet, and he told me he was too busy. When I asked for proof he was still in Donbass, he sent me photos of him here in 2014. When I pointed out that the photos showed people in winter clothing and it was July, he got offended and cut off communication. 

I checked all his social media - his VK, his FB, his Twitter and his Quora.  He is still active on all, but I could find no evidence that he is still in Donbass or was even here when he ran his fundraiser more than 2 years ago, or has been here since. But according to his recent article "Tale of 2 Ukraines" posted a couple of weeks ago, he's still here. I'm not saying he's a liar, but I am saying I'd like to see some proof. 

He got over $2,500 from his fund-raiser for the camera and bakery, but I know for a fact he never opened or sponsored a bakery in Lugansk or anywhere else in Donbass. He wrote in is final update on Indie Go Go that "The camera is in hand, set up properly, and ready to go." But I have been unable to find a single video or even photo he has posted from Donbass that can be verified as his. I have friends (more than one) in Lugansk, and specifically in Prizrak, and they and everyone they have asked there have never heard of George Eliason or an American "war journalist and humanitarian" living there. I can tell you from my own personal experience that Americans are quite rare in Donbass, and tend to be noticed wherever they go here. Does this seem strange to anyone besides me?  

I don't care if Eliason kept the money for the camera and bakery two years ago, that's between him and his donors, and I didn't donate. But if he says he's a war correspondent and humanitarian living in Donbass and he's actually not here, then he's not a war correspondent or a humanitarian, either. He's a fucking liar. And I AM a war correspondent and humanitarian living in Donbass, and I can damn well prove it. So I am asking Eliason to do the same. Prove it. Because if he can't, then he's not here, and he IS a fucking liar, and he discredits me, all real correspondents and humanitarians in the Donbass Republics and all the supposedly progressive and credulous sites (including "The Saker") that post his writings. Because if he's not here, what he writes is bullshit, and a LOT of sites have posted it. 

Of course, I could be wrong about Eliason. It's not likely, but it is possible. I encourage him or anyone else to publish proof he's in Donbass, and I will eat my words and publicly apologize to him and anyone else I have offended by questioning his veracity.  But if I was a gambling man, I would not bet on me being wrong. And, in fact, I am a gambling man. I'm taking quite a risk, of looking like a real asshole and fool if I am wrong. But I am willing to take that risk, because speaking truth to phony "comrades" is just as important (and almost as risky) as speaking truth to power. And speaking truth is what I do, it's my job. So prove me wrong, or face the truth, even if you don't like it, 
or me. Because the truth is the truth, whether you like it or not.

The War in Donbass 2018 - Straightening Out "The Saker"

I recently read the article "2018 - War or No War" on the Vinyard of The Saker site.  Leaving aside his remarks on other areas, I find his opinion of the situation in Donbass irritatingly erroneous, and so unjustifiably pessimistic as to be bordering on the treacherous.  I tried to elucidate the situation in the comment section of his blog, in a very diplomatic way, but he refuses to post my comments. So I will post my opinion of his opinion here on my blog, not pull any punches, and post his reply if he has the cojones to make one.

[ He doesn't like me since I called him out back when Motorola was killed. He was one of the dangerous idiots who was pushing the ukrop-backed "Russia/Zaharchenko killed Motorola" theory. There was, (and is) exactly zero proof or logic behind that theory, but it was the ukrop theory from day one. When a supposed "comrade" starts pushing the  same line as ukrop nazi officials and trolls, one has to wonder if they are really that stupid or if there's an underlying motive. I wonder the same about "The Saker's" pontification about the chances and consequences of war in Donbass in 2018. But I'll be happy to straighten his ass out. Again.]

According to his own exact words, "The Saker" sees the chance of another major ukrop offensive against Donbass in 2018 as "Medium" and the risk, "Low", from the Neocon (US) point of view. The possible outcomes, again from the neocon point of view, are "1) Ukrops win, Russia is defeated, US shows its power. 2) Novorussia wins, Russia is accused of invading Ukraine, and 3) Novorussia loses and Russia intervenes, A neocon dream come true."  So, after publishing and promoting the Neocon point of view, "The Saker" then goes on to write his own personal view. And I quote - "The way I see it, in all three cases the AngloZionist prevail though clearly option #2 is the worst possible outcome and option #3 is the best one. In truth, the AngloZionists have very little to lose in a Ukronazi attack on Novorussia." Again, one has to wonder about this incomplete and erroneous "analysis", and especially the conclusion - is the writer really that stupid or is there an underlying agenda?

This dude is pushing the defeatist line that "in all three cases the Anglozionists win", that "Option #2 (Novorussia wins) is the worst possible outcome" and "#3 (A neocon dream come true) is the best", and that the nazis "have very little to lose" in an attack on Novorussia. THESE ARE HIS EXACT WORDS!  He is literally saying Novorussia (and Russia) cannot win, and the nazis have little to lose by attacking us. Whose fuckin' side is this dude on?!  The last time Russia faced such an existential threat as we do today was in the Great Patriotic War, in which defeatism such as "The Saker's" was dealt with by firing squad.  Oh, for the good old days...

On behalf of Novorussia, my country, where I live, and which I fight to defend, I and my friends and comrades here would like to say to "The Saker" and his credulous sycophants, "Spasiba bolshoy, mazavagas! With friends like you, who needs enemies?" And I'll also be happy to straighten your asses out as to what's really happening here, what is most probably going to happen, and what the outcome will be. Since you obviously have no clue.

First, my qualifications for having an opinion - I'm not some dude from Florida with mysterious or perhaps mythical (or perhaps treacherous) "connections to US intelligence", I am a soldier in the Novorussian Armed Forces and a citizen of the Donetsk People's Republic. I have been here full time since 2014, was in frontline combat positions as recently as two months ago (as a soldier) and in frontline civilian areas two weeks ago, reporting on ukrop war crimes.  My opinion is based on firsthand experience, what I see with my own eyes, and my own personal contact with people who live at the Front, and with the soldiers who defend them there.  

The major ukrop offensive is inevitable in 2018. Not the "Frog jump pseudo strategy that is already happening", but a real all-out war offensive, even bigger than the offensive of Summer 2014.

The political circus in Kiev is not sustainable until the ukrop elections of 2019. With the antics of (now convicted) stateless fugitive Sakashvili and Poroshenko's single digit approval ratings, a genuine civilian uprising or a military coup by actually patriotic ukrainian officers are both very real possibilities (completely overlooked by the Saker) that can only be precluded by an all-out war in Donbass.
The clock is ticking in Kiev.

The Russian Presidential elections in March  and the FIFA football championships in June/July 2018 are both major distractions that would complicate a Russian response to a ukrop attack immensely. These are strategic opportunities for our enemies, the likes of which will not occur again in the operational timetable of the Donbass War. The clock is ticking in Russia.

Though the USA still has its Canadian lapdog, Europe is becoming less and less enamored by the failed state on its borders. While the massive influx of Ukrainian toilet cleaners and prostitutes may have some utility or appeal to certain strata of European society, the instability and threat of another major war engulfing Europe give even EU fascist lackeys pause. The longer the delay, the less support from Europe. The US needs to start the war soon, and drag Europe into it by presenting a fait accompli before Europe comes to its senses and officially stands up against the ukrop nazis and their US masters. The clock is ticking in Europe.

Is the clock ticking in the USA? I don't know, I don't live there. But I think so. Maybe ask "The Saker"... He might be qualified to have an opinion about that.

Also, the recent decision by Trump (and Canada) to send weapons to ukrop nazis can only be seen as a green light for war.  There are about 100,000 nazis on the ukrop side of the line, being continually reinforced by Western mercenaries and special forces, as well as by the US-backed ISIS cannibals who have been run out of Syria and Iraq, evacuated by the USA and brought to Ukraine. These nazis, mercs and terrorists are not there for a picnic, and they will not simply withdraw back to bases in Western Ukraine. They are here to attack, and that is what they are going to do in 2018.  The chance is not "Medium", as "The Saker" sees it, it is actually inevitable. And anyone who pins their hopes on Trump having the intelligence or integrity to stop this war can only be laughed at.  As, of course, can all, like "The Saker", who naively thought Trump would be any different than the USA's Presidential Parade of Clowns  going back at least 50 years now.  Trump the hapless and impotent shrinking violet, who talks big but is incapable of doing shit. The female version of Hillary Clinton.

So, yes, the war IS coming in 2018, and probably sooner than later. The Russian Presidential elections in March will (incorrectly) be seen as a golden opportunity by the nazis, and if they chicken out (as usual) then, they will have another, better, and final opportunity during or right before the FIFA championships, which is when I predict the attack on Donbass will come, along with simultaneous major terrorist events inside the Russian Federation. So, the war is coming. What will happen?

I can tell you from my contact with both soldiers and civilians who live on the front lines in Donbass that we are ready. And not just "ready" in the sense of being prepared, but also ready to get this over with. The predominate sentiment among those who have been and will be most effected by the war is that "The sooner it comes, the sooner it will be over. So, the sooner, the better."  And they are correct.

I do not know what the sentiment is among the patrons of fancy restaurants on Pushkin Boulevard, or among those for whom the war is a comfortable and profitable business, because I do not move in those circles, and they are only a very small minority here. But for the vast majority of the patriot citizens of the Republic, who understand the war IS coming, and what it will entail, we are prepared, and grimly determined to meet the fascists head on, and to teach them the lesson our grandfathers taught theirs back in 1945.

As for what the war will be like - I too have anonymous sources, in the military of the DNR and also from... "elsewhere". These guys know what the war will be like because they are the ones who will personally fight it. And win it. First, when the big ukrop attack comes, it will not be a surprise to anyone, except perhaps "The Saker" and his fans. But the Novorussian Armies, and "our friends", will know well in advance the exact time and place and every detail of the plan. And we will be ready and waiting. Of course, the initial assault will cause mass casualties among our defenders on the frontline positions and among civilians living near the Front. Among the NAF soldiers on frontline positions, 50% casualties are expected within the first 12 hours. The deaths will be in the thousands.
So be it. This is war.

But this is war of the full military might of a national army against civilians and former citizens. It will provide the moral, political and practical justification for a total military response from the Russian Federation. Vladimir Putin himself has said more than once that this will indeed be Russia's response, and Vladimir don't lie. It will be a war between the Russian and Ukrainian armies, and it will be over in 48 hours at the most.  Plenty has been written about it, and friends and enemies agree, there is no doubt about the military outcome of the conflict. Imagine a street fight between Vladimir Putin, who holds black belts in several martial arts, and Poroshenko, a pampered, drunken, cowardly buffoon. It would be like that. That quick and that decisive, and the loser will never stand up again.

So, no serious person can question the military outcome, but what of further political and economic considerations? From the Russian and Novorussian perspective, it is the best possible outcome. Having a foreign-controlled failed fascist state on the borders (of Russia and Novorussia) is truly an existential threat. Like a gangrenous wound, it will not get better, and must be dealt with. Like we said, "the sooner the better."  Did the successful and elegant military intervention in Syria cause political backlash against Putin? Hardly. It was wildly popular at home, and increased Russia's stature politically and militarily around the world.  And in spite of what "The Saker" and his neocon buddies might think, the liberation of Ukraine will do the same, only more so.  It will stabilize and de-nazify the failed state of Ukraine, and re-integrate Ukraine into the Russian orbit where it belongs.

"The Saker" says open intervention will be a "neocon's dream come true", "NATO will have a purpose, and it will start  "Cold War 2.0".  Perhaps he didn't get the memo, but the New Cold War started 4 years ago, and has continued to be escalated by neocon war-mongers in every way possible ever since.  Does he think that if Russia allows Ukraine to continue to fester, NATO won't continue escalations and provocations?  That certainly seems to be what he is advocating. Fortunately, the people who count, in Russia and Novorussia, neither need nor heed his advice.

And far from Russian intervention being "Low Risk" for neocon fascists, it will be the beginning of their end. When clowns like Trump and Haley try to rally international support for further sanctions against Russia for a successful and clearly necessary move, that will be the moment the EU rats will jump the sinking ship of Empire. Perhaps somewhat for the clear moral implications, but much, much more so for the practical implications. Russia will have won the war against ukrop fascism before Trump can even tweet about it, and after the fact, all Trump will be able to do is tweet about it. And who wants to side with a loud-mouthed, whining loser?

So, in summary, yes, the war is coming, yes we will win it, locally and on the global scale, politically, economically and militarily.  And Russia will not only be on the winning side of the war, we will be on the right side of morality and of history.  The US/Anglozionist Empire will soon be flushed from history, and their citizens will reap the consequences and just deserts that inevitably befall fools, cowards, the self-deluded, and willing slaves. 2018 will be a decisive year. We are already at war. We are already winning, and we will win. May God protect the innocent, and may the rest of us get everything we deserve. 

Notes From Crimea, and The New Job

We got to Crimea 9 days ago, will be here a for couple more. It has been a productive trip, working hard, no vacation. We've driven around 500 Km most days - Jankoy, Feodosia, Sevastopol, Simferopol, Yalta, Gurzuf, Sudak.  I've done about a dozen interviews, been on TV all over Crimea and even nationwide in RF. Done several newspaper interviews too, that will be coming out soon. I met my new Godson, Evgeny, met with Crimean People's Militia (and they made me a member and gave me a medal) and many of the founders and early leaders of The Crimean Spring and referendum that saved Crimea from nazi occupation. I also met with "Surgeon", the founder of the Night Wolves, and played a part in his upcoming movie "Russian Reactor". I have met with veterans and kid's patriotic groups, and made important friends and contacts. I like Crimea. It kind of reminds me of Texas.

I got to Russia exactly 3 years ago, December 1st, 2014. I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but I knew I'd be lucky to live through the Winter. I came to fight fascism and help the people of Donbass in any way I could. I am proud of what I have accomplished in the last 3 years, and grateful to God and to everyone who has helped - my comrades at the Front,  correspondents and journalists from all over the world, and to everyone who has pitched in to help me and to help on our many human aid projects. It's not my work, it's our work. We've done it well. Thanks, Comrades!

The current situation in Donbass is, as usual, complex and fluid. The recent developments in Lugansk are, in my opinion, very positive. It seems a major disaster was diverted, and serious crimes were uncovered. I think it would be a good move for the Republics to combine at some point in the future, but that remains to be seen.

It has been confirmed that the ISIS terrorists who the US military is evacuating from Syria are ending up in Ukraine. They have been here all along, but are now coming in much greater numbers. It is a dangerous situation. Western mercenaries continue to arrive too. The ukrop army continues to make provocations, such as the recent assaults in the grey zone near Gorlovka and Mariupol, and the heavy shelling of residential areas in Donetsk. As Western-backed terrorists are eliminated in Syria, things will continue to be hot in Donbass.

The USA continues to make provocations too. From their illegal occupation of Syrian territory to their sanctioning of  RT and Sputnik, their hypocrisy and criminality defies belief. Trump has by now proven what he is capable of. And incapable of. Whether he is simply a neutered lapdog or willingly conniving in the US march towards war, it is clear he cannot be trusted. The American people are going to have to save themselves and their country themselves. There is no other way.

Donetsk is my home, and I will continue to defend and support it every way I can - at the Front, through Human Aid, and as an Info Warrior. But I now see my most important job as educating, informing, inspiring and warning the American People as to the consequences of allowing their criminal government to lead them, and the world, into a war which that can never  be won.  And if they need an example of what that war would be like for them, all they need to do is imagine what a hand to hand street fight between Donald Trump and Judo Master Vladimir Putin would be like for Trump. As Putin himself has said, and I quote, those who drag Russia into war "will be taught the true meaning of pain". I would like to save my American friends, and millions, if not billions, of innocent people around the world from learning that lesson.  That's my new job.

The most important lesson in Sun Tzu's Art of War is this - "The most excellent warrior is not the one who wins every battle. The most excellent warrior is the one who wins without fighting." It will not be easy for the American People to take back their government from the fascist criminals and warmongers who currently own and control it, and are clearly hellbent on taking it into another World War. The American People are obligated, both morally and for their own self preservation, to reform their government and prevent it from starting this war. It will not be easy, and only the American People themselves can do it. But they must, and time is of the essence. I will help in every way I can, but we must work together. That's our new job. Let's get busy.

UPDATE - 9/29/17

September has been a long month - My old friend and comrade, "Alfonzo" got wounded by a mine. Broken leg, lost some meat, but will be OK and back to normal in 6 or 8 months.
Another old friend, "Abdullah" was not so lucky. He lost both legs above the knee. His road to recovery will be much longer and tougher, but he will make it, and we will be with him every step of the way, which does include getting him a couple of state of the art bionic legs, like the ones we got for Grom and Sheeba.

      Abdullah and Alfonzo, international volunteers, real life Heroes, and two of my best friends here.

Lyudmila and I had our church wedding on September 22nd. A small affair, but some important people attended. It made the news in Russia and in Ukraine. Thanks to all who sent well wishes, it is an honor that we have so many friends, and it is good to know who they are.

                                     Ruslan and Lyudmila get married... Pushkin would be proud!

    Our friend Alexander Sladkov made a vid about Abdullah, Alfonzo and our wedding.

Human Aid continues - Lucy is here from Donbass Human Aid, we have a few projects lined up while she is here. Yesterday, we took shoes and new winter clothes to 50 kids at the Kievsky District orphanage, and we have some more projects lined up for the next week or two.

We will continue to work with DHA to help kids and pensioners in Donbass, but my main focus will be to help Alfonzo and Abdullah. Both are real soldiers and real heroes, and two of my best and oldest friends here.


Our friend and comrade Donbass Rose is headed back to Europe after several months here - She has made some of the best videos to ever come out of Donbass, she's a REAL Info Warrior, and I am really proud to have worked with her, and look forward to doing more with her in the future. Be sure to subscribe to her Youtube channel.


My book, "Lucky Man" is still on schedule for publication around the end of October. At least in English and E-book form. In spite of the fact that pro-ukrop nazi trolls (along with the help of  BBC and Houston Chronicle yellow journalism hacks) succeeded in pressuring Indie Go Go to shut down my book fund-raiser and return the almost $7,000 that had been contributed, I am working with a couple of expert editors and the book WILL be published, more or less on schedule. Paperback, audio book, and translations into Russian and Spanish are planned in the near future. If you donated to the original campaign, got a refund, and would like to re-donate to support free speech, the truth and to stick it to the 21st Century nazi book-burners, please send me an email at:
russellbbentley@gmail.com
and I will tell you about alternate methods to support this project.

The war continues - info, economic and military.  The ukrops continue to try to shut me up. Money remains tight, but there will be enough to help my Brothers in Arms. I'll be back at the Front soon, with real soldiers, and when we get fired on, we'll be shooting back. And more videos coming soon!

TRUTH from the OSCE - From a Monitor, not A. Hug

I have recently interviewed a former member of the OSCE SMMU (Ukraine) mission in Donbass and Ukraine. He served as an OSCE Monitor in the field in Odessa, LNR and various other locations on both sides of the contact line from March 2014, until his retirement from OSCE in 2017. He was a member of the US military for 30 years serving in Special Forces for 16 years, and also previously served in Ukraine, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Bosnia /Serbia areas on programs for Border Security and Cooperative Threat Reduction US State Department's Bureau of International Security and Non-proliferation from 1999 to 2014. Though he currently wishes to remain anonymous, I have personally confirmed his identity and CV. He is for real. In this interview, I will refer to him as "KOT".


RB - Please tell us about when you came to Ukraine / Donbass, your mission here, and how long you worked with the OSCE here.


KOT -  I must preface my remarks by noting that what I say is based on my personal observations and analyses, and does not speak for anyone else. I agreed to this interview in view of the vast amount of inaccuracy and distortion of what has actually happened and is going on in Ukraine. The responsibility of what has happened there, and also its solution ultimately lies squarely with the UA government, and no one else.


I have spent a total of over six years in Ukraine, the last time having been since March 2014, as one of the first members the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, Ukraine. I was initially assigned to the Odessa Team. I was present and a full witness (observer) to the 2 May 2014 Odessa massacre: both on Cathedral Sq. and later at the Trade Union Bldg.

After "Minsk-2" I was transferred to Lugansk, where I spent the next two years on the rebel side of the "contact line", until my recent retirement this year. 

RB - Please tell us about what you witnessed in Odessa on May 2nd, 2014.

KOT -  Based on my observations, this "event" was carefully planned and executed by the government, with a completely prepared cover story. The “Maidan” side was far to well prepared, equipped, rehearsed, and outfitted to come to any other conclusion. There were a number of reports submitted on what actually happened, but those that contradicted the official government line were effectively suppressed along with any manner of accurate analysis of its consequences (which certainly continues to this day). 

In Odessa, traditionally a Russian speaking area, and never historically a part of Ukraine (Khrushchev administratively assigned to the Ukrainian SSR in 1954, by “Executive Order”), the suppression of all opposition started in March 2014, and reached a critical point by 2 May 2014. 

The government brought in a large number of western UA nationalists – well armed, equipped, trained & rehearsed. Some of these were also planted in the “anti-Maidan” ranks. On 2 May, the anti-Maidan faction planned a rally. Some of them had sticks and shields, anticipating possible ”nationalist” attempts to break up their rally. About 100 of them assembled on Alexandrovsky Prospect (1100 hours) and marched to Cathedral Sq. where they encountered a well set-up blockade of nationalists on “Grecheskaya Str.”; the nationalists outnumbered the anti-Maidan (AM) group by at least 5 to 1 (this was observed, but denied by the UA government). About 100 riot police accompanied the AM and as the nationalists advanced, tried to block them from engaging. The nationalists had weapons, firearms, grenades, and a huge number of stones. The AM had little to nothing – this was a trap, and the AM’s found themselves encircled and barraged with grenades (concussion), and a rain of stones. The AM started to answer only by picking up what was thrown at them. In addition, they also desperately tried to rip apart parts of the sidewalk to get something to throw back.

The police tried to block the encirclement, in which they were also trapped, and a number of police were serious injured and debilitated. The police acted civilly, and with passive blocking tactics, not using force or weapons, but they were not able to stop the onslaught, and about six people were killed at that location. 

Nationalist re-enforcements were brought in on government vehicles, including fire trucks; most were in black uniforms. In the course of coming in, if they thought anyone “looked suspicious” they would dismount, chase and batter the individual, then continue to the conflict area.

However, most AM’s were able to get away – many went to the Trade Union Building (in back of the main train station). There was another AM rally under way there (this was their traditional meeting place and they had set up a small tent complex catering to AM demonstration – two days earlier, this was attacked and all tents were burned and destroyed by the nationalists).
The AM ralliers were warned of the impending nationalist attack there, and were “advised” to take refuge in the building. However, that too was a trap, and the upper two floors (of 5 floors) were blocked off by the nationalists. Once the attack started the lower floors were subjected to “Molotov cocktails”, two snipers sere observed (by other witnesses with military backgrounds) at the shrub line of the park picking off AM’s near windows of the building. Many AM’s trying to jump out of the burning building once the “cocktail” fires ignited the interior, were beaten to death by pipe-wielding nationalists. The official total of AM casualties was 46, but unofficially the rumors went as high as 300 (there were also rumors that there were bodies of AM protesters previously killed and piled in the building basement to be burned) Note: The latter rumor was neither observed or confirmed. The locals tried to call the fire dept., but the Fire Brigade did not show up for several hours despite being only 500m away.
At around 1900 hours, the nationalists set up a mass party near Cathedral Sq. with a rock band, massive truck-mounted audio equipment, UA flags, and held a drunken celebratory bash (observed).

 That night, the area was cordoned off and only official vehicles and crews were allowed in, removing bodies. The wounded AM’s were taken to hospitals, which were subsequently attacked by the nationalists throughout the night intending to “finish” the job. Relatives locked themselves in with the wounded to prevent nationalist access.


None of the local people questioned, said they recognized any of the nationalists as being from Odessa. By morning the bulk of the nationalists were gone. Only the Odessa based “Self-defense” groups remained.

The Trade Union building forensic investigation was conducted very superficially, with the building being “open to the public” the next day – with hundreds of visitors – totally destroying “crime scene” integrity.

As events unfolded, all of the UA TV stations carried a well-prepared scenarioized reporting – all stations, the same, the same story, clearly, fully worked out beforehand – the uniformity and nature of reporting consistent – and not in the least resembling what was going on or subsequently happened.


The Odessa journalists decided to conduct their own investigation – without making accusations, but making all possible facts available for the public record. They examined thousands of videos, interviewed hundreds of witnesses and participants (they counted on witness candor that would be missing in police or SBU interviews). Their findings were not allowed to be published. 

The official investigation placed the blame exclusively on the AM group. The government brought in investigators from Kiev – the chief investigator made the statement that this was going to be a short investigation: one side was completely “untouchable” he said. Charges were brought against only the AM (victim) side, as starting a disturbance with bodily injury consequences. Most have still not gone to trial and are still being held by the government. Those AM’s who did go to trial were often attacked upon entry to the courthouse, and also in the courtrooms themselves (as were witnesses perceived to be “for” the AM’s). The police did little to stop this activity. 

Throughout this, the police stated that they did not have the authority to act, or to interfere with “Self-defense” force functionaries. These groups were armed with firearms and conducted active para-military recruiting and training in the city and environs. (The police themselves were in a difficult situation, to be addressed later.)

After the main suppression of opposition at Cathedral Sq, and the Trade Union building, all subsequent opposition activity was pursed and eliminated: newspapers not touting the government line, TV and radio stations, groups, etc. were forcibly closed, and often burned out. At this time, no one with AM sentiments speaks out publicly and many people in Odessa claim to avoid anyone who speaks Ukrainian, fearing possible nationalist reprisals. There were a number of “Self-Defense” groups organized in the Odessa area, who monitored and controlled any “AM” or anti-government civil, non-violent activity.

Note: I was witness to all of this personally, including many of the subsequent interviews, etc.
There is much more detail and a lot there. The reason I describe this, is that the Donbass folks considered the Odessa events and their aftermath to be a telling indication of what might happen to them, and still do (I discussed this with some of the LNR officials). I had considerable contact with some of the LPR officials who were particularly interested in what had occurred (and was still happening) in Odessa - as an important indication of what they might expect on their territory, should UA forces be allowed into LNR.

RB -  Why didn't the OSCE make an honest report about the Odessa Massacre?

KOT -  As you might know, OSCE is by no means the "objective" observer it purports to be, but is highly biased in favor of the current UA regime. You have no doubt heard Mr Hug's many statements. They do not reflect the actual situation; Mr Hug reflects that bias, and no one else is allowed to make public statements, except for AMB Apakan, the Chief Monitor, as very fine man, but responsible for the higher level of SMMU activities.


A. Hug himself is the Only authorized person to issue public statements, the rest of the teams are strictly forbidden to do so. He (and his principal minion, the Head of Reporting) is the front of the org.. The "spin" they provide does not represent a balanced position and, I feel, does not represent true observations and reporting from the field in the correct perspective. 

Some people have accused OSCE SMMU of being “agents”; this is not the case – certainly not in any significant manner (I was one of them, in the field and in “acting” leadership, and you can take that for what it is worth). Perhaps there are some who are "agents", or, say, close to it, but I do not know of any. 

There are many good people in the OSCE, believe me, and many of those good people are also frustrated by how their reporting is spun, or sometimes ignored. I could tell you many stories of how we (Odessa and Lugansk Monitors) fought with OSCE HQ in Kiev, in getting the right info, the right balance, the right perspective - that "objectivity" they tout so often. We lost every time; some of our team leaders either quit, or were essentially forced out due to this. 

One time, about two years ago, I heard in the news that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov asked to see the "raw" data, (field reports) and then conduct his own analyses - this of course, was not allowed, but I was somewhat surprised that he never repeated the demand - it would present an entirely different picture of what is actually observed and reported from the field vs. what finally comes out of OSCE Kiev.

You made mention of OSCE not reporting on clear evidence of heavy weapons impact “cratering”. OSCE Monitors send their “crater analyses” in the daily patrol reports, including the assessment of the type of weapon used and where it was located  – patrols also report on all explosions , both heard and observed: their direction, distance and possible origin. That data is submitted to OSCE Kiev, but there, again, only selected parts are actually “published” -  i.e. made public; this is a highly selective process controlled by the likes of the head of reporting. Untoward items are not printed under the pretext that they are not sufficiently “triangulated”  i.e. Triple-checked – which they are, since that is one of the underlying principles in accurate reporting – we do not deal in speculation or conjecture, but corroborated facts and actual observations. Even though we “triangulate prior to all submittals, we have often been requested to do it again, and again. This is not easy.
Again, do not confuse some good accurate field reporting, with what is screened out and does not make it into Kiev issued reports – there is a difference, sometimes a big one. Several Team Leaders including myself (acting) often challenged “problematic” incomplete or inaccurate reporting, to no avail – we never received either retractions, or corrections. Many monitors left due to dissatisfaction with Kiev, and the futility of dealing with them. Some time back, Kiev has instituted a careful Team Leader “selection process”.

RB - Can you give a specific example?

KOT -  More than one. One example was a Kiev reported 49 “Grad” systems south of Debaltsevo – this was not in our reports – as “acting” team leader at the time, I checked all reports, and also immediately dispatched a patrol to corroborate – needless to say we could not find anything of the sort in that area. When challenged, Kiev said that it was “probably” based on satellite imagery; when I asked that this be provided, they refused. When I asked why we were not immediately tasked top confirm and “triangulate”, I was ignored – the report stood – also a statement to that effect made in a high profile TV statement by A. Hug.

Another earlier example, our detailed reporting of the 2 May 2014 events in Odessa (of which, I was in the middle), and the follow-on activities and events were highly redacted and often not published in Kiev reporting – there was a great deal in those reports, but this was never published by OSCE HQ in Kiev.

RB - What can you tell us about the situation in areas abandoned by UAF units during their retreats in 2014/2015, particularly about minefields left behind?

KOT - We reported as much as possible on the existence and locations of mine fields: both old and new. In the area of Biryukovo, Dolzhanskiy, Mariyevka, Zelenopolye, all the way to Donetsk Oblast (Chervoniy Zhovten [UA for Red October]) and Dyakovo – this is an area along the southern half of LNR.
The area is not only heavily mined (local farms in almost every village have trucks, tractors, combines, etc. that have hit mines left by retreating UA forces sitting in yards: some with accompanying casualties, some luckier. 
De-mining is a constant activity for the LNR forces. There were/are several UA “combat engineering” (sapper) units in the area (primarily in Rovenkiy). The std. TO&E for a post soviet unit (BN) is in the range of 2000 AT mines, about 4000 AP mines and 4-6000 smaller “booby-trap” mines. When these UA units withdrew, most of this was not taken – they withdrew in disorder and too quickly due to being seriously hammered by LNR forces. Many mines were emplaced in the area, primarily in civilian farm regions, and not military objectives. The mines were emplaced at random, indiscriminately with no records, or markings, etc. Even civilian objects, such as barns were said to have been “booby-trapped”.
There was a UA “combat engineering” unit based in Zelenopolye, where LNR sappers still find and destroy ordinance and mines. The LNR sapper units down there take casualties because of out-dated (WW II) de-mining equipment – modern mines are tough to pick up with those older technologies, and the sappers down there had appealed to us for better equipment to clear (their projection) the roughly 40K mines. OSCE could not help – in fairness this fell outside of the legitimate Mandate (note: there were suggestions and proposals to get some degree of reconstruction [and clearing] assistance: schools, hospitals, and the like, but it never materialized). Honestly, I do not know if these proposals were ever presented for discussion at the OSCE HQ Council in Vienna.

Along with de-mining, the local farmers and sappers would occasionally stumble across mass graves of UA soldiers.

RB - Mass graves?

KOT - In the Zelenopolye area, for example, the locals said they saw several UA trucks fully laden with bodies heading into the fields when they were withdrawing. They were able to find some of the bodies, but not all. Mass graves were also found near Dolzhanskiy, and also near Krasnodarskiy and Izvarino border crossings. 
All bodies in those graves had been stripped by the UA to be “sterile”, i.e., no papers, dog-tags, or any other manner of identification. The bodies were simply dumped into a pit and buried – often this would not be well done and some of the graves were found by dogs rummaging about for food.
We tried to set up (in cooperation with LNR) a system of returning the bodies but found both resistance and denial of any such bodies from LNR territory by the Kiev authorities. Returning them for the most part was not successful; the UA side would find many excuses to make the process difficult or not to accept the bodies.
In all, part of the problem lay in the fact that the UA forces lost far more people than they ever admitted to, and were faced with the problem of embarrassing admissions. But more likely, also the necessity to take responsibility for the casualties, and pay for them: family care and reparations, etc. They did not seem to want to spend the money on their fallen boys.

RB - So the UA was not interested in recovering the bodies of their fallen soldiers. What was their attitude towards live UA POW's captured by LNR forces?

KOT - In 2014/5 in Sverdlovsk, I often spoke with an Ataman Gaidei (Aleksander Nikolayevich). He was holding 500 UA POW’s and said that it took forever to reach UA authorities to get a return exchange going – the UA side was simply not interested. The exchange eventually happened after over six months of negotiations (OSCE was not involved in this particular process), The UA side returned twenty LNR Cossack troops in exchange (there really were not that many taken captive), but six of them came in boxes of about one cubic foot – i.e. tortured and mutilated beyond measure. Gaidei said that he returned all of his POW’s with “all of their fingers”, but had he seen what happened to some of his people, he might have considered changing his approach to POW’s.
Just a brief Post-script on the Gaidei (Sverdlovsk AOR) POW exchange. The UA side did such a poor and obviously disinterested job in moving toward an exchange, a number of UA servicemen said, “the hell with them”, and stayed with Gaidei and LNR as fighters.

RB - So UA authorities were not interested in their POW's or their fallen soldiers. What about UA soldiers wounded in the "ATO"?

KOT -  When I was still in Odessa, prior to my transfer to Lugansk, I stopped by the Odessa Military Hosp. to check on the wounded who were being returned from the “east” to various hospitals around the country for long-term treatment. The Odessa Hospital was a good one, and there were many soldiers there. I interviewed a tank crew – all wounded to varying degrees – nice young men, what you would expect of a decent soldier. They told me the story of how they were treated (with a lack of concern from UA), but more importantly, they recounted how over the three months of treatment in Odessa, their military files kept changing, diluting their service from combat, to rear duty, to some manner of reserve. The boys were very sad, in relating how their government wanted them to “disappear” and were manipulating their files/records so they would not have to take care of them. One of the soldiers needed a prosthetic lower leg – and that would take another six months to a year to heal – the soldiers were doubtful that this would be taken care of properly.
I was transferred to Lugansk shortly after that, and could not follow up to see what eventually happened to the tank crew.

END OF PART 1