Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine
The bad news:
1. Pro-Russian terrorists have issued an ultimatum: they have threatened to start a “military operation” against Ukrainian special forces unless the latter leave Donbass. They have given [Ukrainian special ops] 24 hours to comply with their demands.
It’s understandable that for these half-baked strategists, even taking a half-empty beer bottle from a street bum counts as a “military operation.” But to spoil blood with all kinds of attacks and other abominations, this they still can do.
2. Moreover, these Donbass clowns, who are a danger to people around them, continue their make-believe statehood. These pro-Russian mutineers already started appointing their own “Speakers” and “Ministers,” while they also prepare their “Constitution” and “Parliamentary elections.”
It seems to me that these guys have gotten completely carried away. It’s high time to explain that their “parliamentarians” and “ministers” belong next to Napoleon’s ward.
3. It seems that Putin wouldn’t be Putin if he ever stopped shitting on people. To mark the Presidential elections of May 25, he has prepared his very own heap of manure to present to Ukrainians.
In particular, Moscow has announced that Aviadarts-2014 military exercises of the Russian Air Force will take place between May 21 and May 25, 2014, in the area of the cities Lipetsk, Voronezh, and Ryazan. Putin’s “brave eagles” will master the use of missiles and other weapons against ground targets, and learn to overcome the air defense systems of a simulated opponent.
We are growing weary of these intimidation attempts. Putin has such a maniacal craving to instill fear in others that we’re starting to suspect that his complexes go far beyond harmless mental abnormalities.
The good news:
1. The ATO [anti-terrorist operation] is still on. Whether people like it or not, Ukraine is fighting back. Last night was quite eventful–our servicemen were busy. The insurgents won’t give up easily, but when a well-thought out and planned operation is underway, their chances are slim.
As long as the ATO doesn’t start skidding to a halt just as things get interesting, again. Everyone is getting tired of false starts.
2. Velyka Novosilka District (Donetsk Region) has been cleared of pro-Russian scum. Here, a People’s Militia has been formed to protect the district from separatists. The new formation has already taken control of the district council, the district police department, and the prosecutor’s office.
I really enjoyed the commentary regarding the creation of this militia given by S. Semenchenko, commander of the “Donbass” Volunteer Battalion.
“All bureaucrats that went over to serve the DPR [Donetsk People’s Republic], and thereby lost their legitimacy, will be removed from office. Armed people from the DPR militia will be blocked and, in case of imminent threat to the life and health of civilians, destroyed.”
The commentary folds up into one phrase–great job!
3. The [State] Treasury has unblocked the funds on the Ministry of Defense account, which were transferred by citizens as donations to support the army.
About time, too. The situation was starting to stink of idiocy: the government was unable to provide for its own army, and the citizens were prevented from doing that. Now, the army will be able to purchase basic necessities–firstly and foremost, in the interests of the ATO.
Now we have to ensure that the use of this money is monitored. We are far too familiar with the notion of a military bureaucrat who uses the veil of “military secrets” for theft. We learned the hard way.
4. Today, [Acting President Olexander] Turchynov signed Presidential Decree No. 862/2014-rp “On Measures to Ensure that the Public is Informed about the Anti-Terrorist Operation.”
Many of the issues concerning informational support during the ATO (which I had mentioned earlier) are currently being implemented. A normal working relationship with journalists will be established. In the next three days, an operational information group will be created. The mass media will be provided with security and working conditions, and the public will be provided with complete, up-to-date information. That–objective, timely information–is one of our key weapons.
My friends, I can offer one general comment about this. These actions are only the tip of the iceberg. We–activists, patriots, and the state–are finally beginning to join forces on the information front. We, and I mean the IR [Information Resistance] group, remain a public initiative outside of any government agency. We are confident that we can be much more effective this way. But people at the highest levels hear us, and we have a mutual desire to support the common cause, and this brings a lot of joy to me personally.
It’s time to stand up to Russia–for starters, on the information front. No more retreating
