SLOVYANSK, Ukraine - Late one afternoon last month, as separatist militia fighters and Ukrainian forces exchanged fire, a small-time thief by the name of Aleksei B. Pichko left his home on the southern edge of Slovyansk and headed for an abandoned residence at 17 Sadovaya Street.
Russia's War Against Ukraine
New York Times: Shadowy rebel wields iron fist in Ukraine fight
Ukrainian government soldiers stand guard near in front of wrecked tanks and armored personnel carriers (APCs) left by pro-Russian insurgents on July 7, 2014 in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slovyansk.
