Brothers and sisters!
I would like to break from tradition in the March 10, 2014 summary – I can’t just say how bad it is because I can’t estimate how much worse it could be.
So, here is a little information on the future of Ukrainian troops in Crimea on the basis of our dialogue today at the Defense Ministry.
The position of the military leadership regarding our troops in Crimea is that they must survive at all costs prior to the referendum in Crimea, scheduled for March 16, 2014 by the current illegitimate authorities of the ARC [Autonomous Republic of Crimea]. This position is based on considerations that Russian troops will not resort to armed confrontation before the referendum. Otherwise, their behavior loses any credibility.
At the same time, any attempt by our troops to resist taking advantage of weapons, or any attempt by Kyiv to carry out a military operation in Crimea will be used immediately by Russia to “protect” Crimea from “Bandera troops.” And then Crimea will most certainly cease to be ours.
Meanwhile, according to the Ukrainian government, Russia will no longer be able to continue to maintain the current situation in Crimea after the illegitimate referendum, whereas Ukraine will be able to appeal to the international community, calling attention to the illegitimacy of the referendum in Crimea.
Therefore, the main point for today is – that the Ukrainian military must hold on until March 16, 2014.
I understand that this is a very difficult and controversial decision by our military and political leadership, for all of us. I am not going to support or criticize it, realizing full well that any alternative option will have to first and foremost answer the question: how much blood will be shed as a result of other actions, and what might they bring for Ukraine? This is why, we, the Information Resistance group, will not, and are not, exhibiting the decision for discussion. We are only stating the fact.
And now back to tradition. The bad news:
1. The ranks of traitors have been replenished. A drunken logistics batallion commander in Bakhchisarai got into a car accident, and was detained by Aksenov police thereafter, and then he was gone. He reappeared one day later at his own unit as a traitor. Result: Russian flag is currently strung up above the logistics battalion.
It’s difficult to comment on anything here. I don’t even want to talk about the commander. It hurts that an entire battalion is lost because of this freak. And even if all of them are not traitors – they will be unlikely to forget their commander’s betrayal. Things like this cannot be forgotten.
2. The worst part about this [situation] is that all of our units and formations in Crimea are currently experiencing the deteriorating morale of their personnel. It’s not difficult to understand that people are simply tired. One of the General Staff generals in the Ukrainian Armed Forces told me today that he keeps calling all unit commanders several times a day and explains, even pleads with them that they should keep standing.
But without seeing any action from Kyiv, our guys are increasingly asking: why and who needs their fortitude? It is impossible to judge them. We can only hurt for them with our heart and soul.
The good news:
1. Several days ago we reported that the Russian military command across-the-board warns the Black Sea Fleet officers about rotation – transfer to a new post in different exotic cities where the Northern Fleet is located. As in, honorable Russian officers “assimilated” in Ukraine, and therefore, warriors more loyal to Putin should replace them.
Today we have received information that military families of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation have massively expressed their outrage with these bright prospects. Somehow nobody is laughing at the possibility of exchanging Crimean resorts for the friendly smiles of polar bears. Let them boil over: it seems they are our “fifth column” behind the enemy lines.
2. In Crimea, preparations for March 16th are under way – the collaborators are going from door to door under the pretences of referendum preparations, asking residents to show their passports, and once a passport is presented, they either run away with it, or tear it to pieces.
Aksenov could not have thought of anything more idiotic than that. Residents of Crimea can replace their Ukrainian passports. But people will no longer have trust in Mother Russia and her mutts who exclusively operate via the methods of petty criminals.
3. The latest report from our source in Brussels, that I literally received an hour ago, inspires some optimism. We trust this source absolutely – he has excellent connections in diplomatic circles. So, according to him, the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg that takes place between March 10 and 13 could result in a very positive outcome for Ukraine and an unpleasant result for Russia. Europe is on our side.
Let’s hope for the best. The army says it is ready for the worst.
I sincerely believe that the new day will not bring the worst for us. And, just like you, I am willing to do everything in my power and a little more to make sure that happens.
