The bias in these pages is astonishing. The prejudice towards one side is so extreme that the posts create a virtual alternative reality. One side is constantly winning!
You know it's going to be hard to be objective when you're rooting so firmly for one side. Yet you presumably give yourselves a pat on the back for being objective?!
You're right about there being no evidence. Does this report have a ring of truth, or is it probably wishful thinking? This seems to be a solitary mention of 200 dead UAF at Donetsk airport. The same day (two days ago) we had this from the 'other side':
14.1.15
After today's fierce fighting for the Donetsk airport in Russia will be sent to the body 33 "volunteers" from different regions.
About this in his blog says Oleg Yarchuk.
In particular, according to him, the losses suffered units today from Moscow, Ulyanovsk, Ulan-Ude and Chechnya.
"District Donetsk airport. Division 5th Tank Brigade 36th Field Army of the Eastern Military District (HF 46108, Ulan-Ude) in combat missions lost two killed and four were wounded. The loss of the tank equipment - 1 unit," - said in the message.
In addition, during the fighting and suffered considerable damage unit of Russian paratroopers from Ivanovo and Ulyanovsk.
"Division 331 of the Parachute Regiment of the 98th Airborne Division of the Russian Federation (Ivanovo) in combat missions lost 18 men killed, 26 - injured.
Division 31 th Guards separate airborne assault brigade of the VDV (in / h 73612 Ulyanovsk) in combat missions lost in killed - 12 wounded - 31 "- said Yarchuk.
Particularly the report notes "exploits" Chechens "Division consolidated shock battalion of the Chechen Republic Interior Ministry in combat missions - Three killed, five - were wounded." Location of the 27 people still this battalion - is unknown.
According to Russian intercepted communications, curators of "volunteers" stated that division of the Chechens "willfully left the zone of contact and moved to the second line of dislocation. Place the unit commander found out."
And regarding two captured Kadyrov Chechens, a report that trouble ensued back at base:
Riot in self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR) - crime.in.ua – January 14, 2015
Kadyrov Chechens shoot down Russian officer and firmly requested so-called head of DPR Alexander Zakharchnko to agree with Cyborgs (Ukrainian defenders of Donetsk airport) returning of Kadyrov Chechens captured by Cyborgs.
Yesterday. January 13, 2015, Kadyrov Chechens have suffered the one of the heaviest casualties since May 2014. During the attempt to storm Donetsk airport yesterday more than 100 mercenaries were killed or wounded in action.
As you see, the bloggers relate completely opposing stories in their summary of recent events. Which is likely to be more accurate?
In the meantime, some questions for you:
Are you hoping for military victory?
Do you seriously think the UAF is about to mount a full-scale offensive?
Do you really think Russia is supplying no military support to the DPR and LPR?
Are the militants seeking to change the demarcation line?
Do you think the rebels are following the Minsk accord? Should they be?
Would you like to see active Russian military involvement in Donbas?
Would you like to see further enlargement of the territory of the republics? How far? Mariupol? Kharhiv? Or all the way to Kiev and the Polish border?
The talk here is of division on the Ukrainian side, but what about the fractured situation among the separatists? Do you see any problems?
What future for the Donbas? (The RF has not recognised the independence of the republics. The official Moscow position is that they be reinstated within a united Ukraine.)
Is Russia being expansionist?
