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Title: With 8,000 Ukrainian Troops Trapped, a Cease-Fire Grows More Fragile
Source:
nytimes.com
URL Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/17/w ... rapped-cease-fire-fragile.html
Published: Feb 16, 2015
Author: ANDREW E. KRAMER
Post Date: 2015-02-17 00:58:05 by Pericles
Keywords: None
Views: 1422
Comments: 6
With Ukrainian Troops Trapped, a Cease-Fire Grows More Fragile By ANDREW E. KRAMERFEB. 16, 2015 ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine — The plight of as many as 8,000 Ukrainian troops trapped in the vicinity of Debaltseve, as well as the prospects for an already fragile truce, look decidedly dimmer on Monday after a Russian television correspondent strolled down what was supposed to be a hotly contested road. The video on the Russian channel Life News, if reliable, seemed to prove that the road, the only artery of support for the Ukrainian troops, was firmly in the hands of the separatists. The status of this stretch of potholed asphalt has become a sticking point in the cease-fire and threatens to unravel the deal. The separatists say their control of the road means they have the Ukrainians surrounded. President Petro O. Poroshenko of Ukraine has denied their claim, because conceding the point would force him either to negotiate for the release of the trapped soldiers or resume fighting to extricate them. A dozen or so soldiers escaped on Sunday, and on Friday a small group reportedly managed to walk out through the fields. Otherwise, nobody has left the town since Thursday. Already battered and giving ground after the conflict flared up a month ago, and fighting against forces they and Western governments say include the Russians, Ukrainian soldiers had been trying at least to hold onto their supply line until the cease-fire took effect, at midnight Saturday. It seems increasingly evident that they failed, putting the agreement in doubt. Previously, this section of road was known to be mined and within range of rebel artillery, though not occupied by rebel soldiers. The video, with a backdrop of blown-up tanks and dead Ukrainian soldiers, appeared to show Russian-backed militants on the road near Logvinovo, about five miles from Debaltseve. Having apparently lost on the battlefield, Ukraine now will appeal for diplomatic pressure on Russia to prevail upon the separatists to open the road. But European leaders and President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia were unable to solve the Debaltseve riddle during intense negotiations in Minsk last week, and it remains an open question whether they can now. Elsewhere in eastern Ukraine there were scattered cease-fire violations on Monday, as the European Union on Monday froze the assets of an additional 19 individuals and nine entities after delaying the announcement during the Minsk negotiations. Ilkka Kanerva, the president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, issued a statement welcoming the general success of the cease-fire but deploring “the illegal separatists’ false and counterproductive insistence that the deal does not apply to Debaltseve, a government-held town.”
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 4.
#1. To: Pericles (#0)
I find it interesting that these Russian separatists just happen to have heavy artillery and tanks. cough cough
The possession of these weapons is not the most striking point of information. But the fact they can use them effectively. Anyone can buy these weapons with money. The real cost is who is there to train and more imporatantly MAINTAIN the systems. Although many are former conscripts and know the basics, maintaining equipment with proper mechanics and spare PARTS is where they are getting help. Training and maintaining is what big Armies do best. That is the help they are getting and that matters. Not to mention intelligence support.
The USSR designed weapons easy enough for illterate peasants to use and maintain. In this New York Times article I posted - click link above - they have a pciture of the rebels stripping an abandonded Uke tank for parts. I am not saying Russia is not helping - but we will be wrong to assert the eastern rebels are all Russian military men.
#5. To: Pericles (#4)
They still have the mandatory conscript requirement? Meaning if they do, then all of them have some experience.
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#3. To: GarySpFC, Pericles (#1)
I find it interesting that these Russian separatists just happen to have heavy artillery and tanks. cough cough
#4. To: redleghunter, GarySpFC (#3)
(Edited)
Anyone can buy these weapons with money. The real cost is who is there to train and more imporatantly MAINTAIN the systems. Although many are former conscripts and know the basics, maintaining equipment with proper mechanics and spare PARTS is where they are getting help.
Members of the rebel Donetsk People’s Republic took parts from a Ukrainian tank on Monday.Credit Baz Ratner/Reuters
Replies to Comment # 4. but we will be wrong to assert the eastern rebels are all Russian military men.
End Trace Mode for Comment # 4.
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