Ukraine Crisis II: Electric Boogaloo

[United Marxist Nations]

Putin says Internet is CIA plot, discourages Russians from using it.



http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/20 ... 11810.html

Dude is getting more authoritarian and paranoid day by day. Where is it going to end?

"Wake up sheeple! The CIA is controlling the internet!"
"That's why I am going create my own version so that I can control it!"

What next? Kremlin approved operating systems?

To be fair, he's right about the internet being "half-pornography"; that was spot-on.

[Lemanrussland]

"Wake up sheeple! The CIA is controlling the internet!"
"That's why I am going create my own version so that I can control it!"

What next? Kremlin approved operating systems?

To be fair, he's right about the internet being "half-pornography"; that was spot-on.

It's definitely not a good sign in any case, with the crackdown on Internet freedom and all that recently in Russia. Russia is going in a bad direction overall, with the increased militarism, authoritarianism, and government control of key sectors of the economy. I hope Putin can eventually fuck off in 2018 and let someone else run the country as well (almost 20 years of increasing power is enough for a "democratic" leader, to be honest).

Anyway, more updates. Some have been discussed in this thread, some haven't.

U.S.: Troops Arrive In Poland For Military Exercises
The first of 600 U.S. soldiers began to arrive in Poland on April 22 for military exercises in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, according to the Pentagon press secretary, AP reported.
Apr 22, 2014 | 12:54 GMT

Latvia: NATO Soldiers Join Exercise
A contingent of 150 NATO soldiers were set to arrive in Latvia on April 24 to join military exercises in Adazi, Baltic News Network reported.
Apr 24, 2014 | 04:49 GMT

Ukraine: Operation Stops After Increased Risk Of Russian Invasion
A Ukrainian operation to recapture Slovyansk from separatists was halted April 24 after Ukrainian intelligence reports warned of a dramatic increase in the risk of Russian troops crossing the border, Kiev Post reported.
Apr 24, 2014 | 08:43 GMT

Ukraine: Acting President Demands Russia Move Forces
Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov said April 24 that Russia must move its military forces away from Russia's border with Ukraine, Kyiv Post reported.
Apr 24, 2014 | 11:44 GMT

Russia: Ratings Agency Issues Downgrades
Standard & Poor's on April 25 downgraded Russia's foreign currency rating to a single notch above junk status, from BBB/A-3 to BBB/A-2, and also cut the local currency long-term rating to BBB from BBB+, CNBC reported.
Apr 25, 2014 | 02:59 GMT

Russia: U.S. To Push EU Leaders For More Sanctions
U.S. President Barack Obama on April 25 is expected to encourage EU leaders to issue new sanctions against Russia for Moscow's role in the Ukraine crisis, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources.
Apr 25, 2014 | 03:19 GMT

Russia: Putin Calls For Increased Missile Defense
Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 25 emphasized the need to increase the production of missile defense systems, including those that constitute the air defense shields Russia has been building along with Belarus and Kazakhstan, Interfax reported.
Apr 25, 2014 | 05:29 GMT

[Lyttenburgh]

Hey, remember those NY-Times photos and articles about "horrible, horrbile Rushins in the Eastern Ukraine" doing separatist stuff and calling names? The article was based on the photos provided by the saintly SBU of the Ukraine, so, naturally, all loyal Weserners must believe them. Just look at mister Kerry - he is so unrepentant in his belief, that still accuses Russia in everething happening in the Eastern Ukraine!

Well, turns out, NY-Times now Retracts Russian-Photo Scoop. Independant journos serving as the unbiased heralds of Truth in the Free World indeed, can admit their errors. On page 9 of Wednsday edition. With convoluted wording, but, hey - it's so rare thing nowadays, that they (2 out of 3 authors of the original article) deserve some bonus points.

Don't believe this source as a possible "Kremlinite sell-out"? Fine! How about someone, who really, really can not be ever suspected in any pro-Moscow bias? Like a notorious Russophobe Simon Shuster? Shockingly enough, he actually was in Slavyansk, talked with the people here - and even with the Bearded Dude(tm) himself! No one fast-pogromed him, or even "kidnapped and took hostage"! What is more shockingly - he failed to uncover any evidence of the "Russian material and any other support" for the Army of Donbas Republic.

Well, it doesn't matter, anyway - Secratary Kerry just got his war paint and unburied the hatchet of war. And these 600 NATO troops in Poland and Pribaltica - they will show! They will show, erm, "USA's commitment to defense of our Allies". There. Nothing says "hush-hush, little baby - don't cry!" for USA's satellites more then some pitiful number of NATO troops and military exercises, that "reminds everyone of our ["New Europe's"] importance".

[Lemanrussland]

Hey, remember those NY-Times photos and articles about "horrible, horrbile Rushins in the Eastern Ukraine" doing separatist stuff and calling names? The article was based on the photos provided by the saintly SBU of the Ukraine, so, naturally, all loyal Weserners must believe them. Just look at mister Kerry - he is so unrepentant in his belief, that still accuses Russia in everething happening in the Eastern Ukraine!

Well, turns out, NY-Times now Retracts Russian-Photo Scoop. Independant journos serving as the unbiased heralds of Truth in the Free World indeed, can admit their errors. On page 9 of Wednsday edition. With convoluted wording, but, hey - it's so rare thing nowadays, that they (2 out of 3 authors of the original article) deserve some bonus points.

Don't believe this source as a possible "Kremlinite sell-out"? Fine! How about someone, who really, really can not be ever suspected in any pro-Moscow bias? Like a notorious Russophobe Simon Shuster? Shockingly enough, he actually was in Slavyansk, talked with the people here - and even with the Bearded Dude(tm) himself! No one fast-pogromed him, or even "kidnapped and took hostage"! What is more shockingly - he failed to uncover any evidence of the "Russian material and any other support" for the Army of Donbas Republic.

Well, it doesn't matter, anyway - Secratary Kerry just got his war paint and unburied the hatchet of war. And these 600 NATO troops in Poland and Pribaltica - they will show! They will show, erm, "USA's commitment to defense of our Allies". There. Nothing says "hush-hush, little baby - don't cry!" for USA's satellites more then some pitiful number of NATO troops and military exercises, that "reminds everyone of our ["New Europe's"] importance".

1) Your writing style (not your English grammar, but the smugness) is atrocious and annoying. Every post you make is in this same style. If you can help yourself, write like an adult.
2) If I'm understanding you, you're saying that Shuster wasn't kidnapped? If that is what you're saying, what makes you say that? Nothing in the story you linked says they weren't. Simon Shuster was kidnapped, along with several other journalists: http://time.com/73522/time-vice-journal ... d-ukraine/
3) 600 troops isn't many, yes. It's more of a token gesture than anything. Poland, the Baltics and so on aren't "satellite states", by the way. We aren't the Warsaw Pact.

[Baltenstein]

To be fair, he's right about the internet being "half-pornography"; that was spot-on.

It's definitely not a good sign in any case, with the crackdown on Internet freedom and all that recently in Russia. Russia is going in a bad direction overall, with the increased militarism, authoritarianism, and government control of key sectors of the economy. I hope Putin can eventually fuck off in 2018 and let someone else run the country as well (almost 20 years of increasing power is enough for a "democratic" leader, to be honest).

There will be a different president after Putin served his current and his next term. However, there won't be a different ruler.

[Lemanrussland]

Hm, I think I understand what Lyttenburgh is saying.

"He talked to this pro-Russian freedom fighter, and we didn't even kidnap him, this time anyway!"

Nice, the knuckledragger separatists didn't even kidnap him (Simon Shuster) for a second time. How kind of them -- it really reflects well on their movement too, not all of them kidnap journalists for "spreading Junta propaganda".

[Neoconstantius]

Putin says Internet is CIA plot, discourages Russians from using it.



http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/20 ... 11810.html

Dude is getting more authoritarian and paranoid day by day. Where is it going to end?

"Wake up sheeple! The CIA is controlling the internet!"
"That's why I am going create my own version so that I can control it!"

What next? Kremlin approved operating systems?

Really? After everything that's come out in the past year you guys still think it's paranoid to say that US agencies (CIA, DHS, DOD) don't monitor international internet communications as a means of gathering foreign intelligence?

They'd be crazy not to.

[Lyttenburgh]

Meanwhile in Washington - Indian Maydan!

Cowboys, Indians, Green Groups Protest Keystone

WASHINGTON-Cowboys, farmers, and native American tribes descended on the Mall on Tuesday as part of a protest against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada that could cross their lands in Nebraska and the Dakotas.

The “Reject and Protect” rally on Earth Day numbered about 150 to 200 protesters, and included members of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance, the anti-Keystone environmental groups Bold Nebraska and 350.org, and Washington-based green-issues activists from Earth Action Now.

They arrived just days after the announcement from the U.S. State Department that it is delaying its assessment of Keystone, a move that will likely postpone the administration’s decision on whether to approve the pipeline for months.

The delay was tied to a Nebraska court ruling in February in support of a lawsuit by Nebraska landowners over property rights along the proposed pipeline route.

Organizer Jane Kleeb of Bold Nebraska told a cheering crowd, “We have made sure that TransCanadaTRP.T -0.16% has no legal route in Nebraska.”

Native tribes that have mobilized against Keystone said the proposed route will take the pipeline across parts of Indian reservations and sacred areas. “We stand here as mother bears to defend our land,” said Faith Spotted Eagle, a Sioux spiritual leader from South Dakota.

A number of Nebraska farmers and ranchers don’t want the pipeline company TransCanada Corp. to take part of their grazing and crop lands through eminent domain.

[...]

Mr. Dempsey said he had not expected the administration’s move last week to delay the Keystone decision. “Given the momentum” enjoyed by Keystone supporters after the State Department’s largely positive report in January on the pipeline’s environmental impact, he said, “to get another delay, it was surprising.”

I say! What a brillian opportunity! What if Foreign Minister Lavrov ("Great Stone Face"), or maybe even Zhirinovsky and Zyuganov (he is already Red!) come and support protesters here?

P.S.

Хто нэ скачэ - той рэднэк! Glory to Cherokee - Huron'ам слава! Sitting Bull - придэ, порядок навiдэ! Хиллбилляку - на гилляку! Янки - на томагавки! Сраные джынсники, убирайтесь в свою Еврошку!

[Lemanrussland]

Meanwhile in Washington - Indian Maydan!

Cowboys, Indians, Green Groups Protest Keystone

WASHINGTON-Cowboys, farmers, and native American tribes descended on the Mall on Tuesday as part of a protest against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada that could cross their lands in Nebraska and the Dakotas.

The “Reject and Protect” rally on Earth Day numbered about 150 to 200 protesters, and included members of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance, the anti-Keystone environmental groups Bold Nebraska and 350.org, and Washington-based green-issues activists from Earth Action Now.

They arrived just days after the announcement from the U.S. State Department that it is delaying its assessment of Keystone, a move that will likely postpone the administration’s decision on whether to approve the pipeline for months.

The delay was tied to a Nebraska court ruling in February in support of a lawsuit by Nebraska landowners over property rights along the proposed pipeline route.

Organizer Jane Kleeb of Bold Nebraska told a cheering crowd, “We have made sure that TransCanadaTRP.T -0.16% has no legal route in Nebraska.”

Native tribes that have mobilized against Keystone said the proposed route will take the pipeline across parts of Indian reservations and sacred areas. “We stand here as mother bears to defend our land,” said Faith Spotted Eagle, a Sioux spiritual leader from South Dakota.

A number of Nebraska farmers and ranchers don’t want the pipeline company TransCanada Corp. to take part of their grazing and crop lands through eminent domain.

[...]

Mr. Dempsey said he had not expected the administration’s move last week to delay the Keystone decision. “Given the momentum” enjoyed by Keystone supporters after the State Department’s largely positive report in January on the pipeline’s environmental impact, he said, “to get another delay, it was surprising.”

I say! What a brillian opportunity! What if Foreign Minister Lavrov, or maybe even Zhirinivsky and Zyuganov come and support protesters here?

P.S. Хто нэ скачэ - той янки!

That's not really similar to the current situation at all.

A political controversy and small protest in the US != Mass unrest in Ukraine, armed groups running around everywhere, and the Russian Federation seizing parts of their territory.

Of course, you want to distract and draw false equivalencies, so you can have your "US is evil and interfering in our internal affairs!" moment. No, Russia is interfering in Ukraine's internal affairs, attacking it, sowing discord, and taking pieces of geopolitically valuable land while it's going through a difficult period. If Russia cared about Ukraine, it would do what it could to defuse the situation, and help Ukraine make it to the May 25 elections.

[Independent Canterbury]

4 OCSE observers, 5 Ukrainian soldiers and a bus driver have been kidnapped in Slaviansk
https://twitter.com/carlbildt


1 Swede, 1 German,1 Dane and 1 Pole.

This is a major, major development.

Update:
Apparently these are the military observers who failed to get into Crimea in March.

[Baltenstein]

4 OCSE observers, 5 Ukrainian soldiers and a bus driver have been kidnapped in Slaviansk
https://twitter.com/carlbildt


1 Swede, 1 German,1 Dane and 1 Pole.

[inappropriatehumor]

This sounds like the build-up of a bad bar joke.

[/inappropriatehumor]

[Alien Space Bats]

China has not been sitting on its hands since the 70's.

No, China has not; I don't underestimate them by any means. But the material balance of power at sea and in the air still favors Japan, and favors it by a wide margin.

The Japanese will be very surprised. You put too much faith in Japan which has the world knows cannot even contain a power plant from contaminating Japan and the ocean various times over.

Fukushima is irrelevant here; what happened there was not a failure of Japanese technical expertise, but a fundamental design flaw that a great many nations have duplicated (but not the U.S., though in our case it's largely due to licensing problems rather than any kind of positive planning): It's a bad idea to have multiple reactors on the same site, at least in close enough proximity to one another than a problem with one can result in the irradiation of the work areas around its neighbor. Had the reactors at Fukushima been sited further apart, so that high radiation levels at one could not possibly result in maintenance teams being denied access to any other reactor, then the whole mess probably could have been contained with minimal difficulty.

When it comes to those islands contested between China and Japan, it will be worked out diplomatically.

Here we agree: It is in the best interests of both sides to keep the matter from blowing up, and so both sides will likely do so.

[Oaledonia]

Hey, remember those NY-Times photos and articles about "horrible, horrbile Rushins in the Eastern Ukraine" doing separatist stuff and calling names? The article was based on the photos provided by the saintly SBU of the Ukraine, so, naturally, all loyal Weserners must believe them. Just look at mister Kerry - he is so unrepentant in his belief, that still accuses Russia in everething happening in the Eastern Ukraine!

Well, turns out, NY-Times now Retracts Russian-Photo Scoop. Independant journos serving as the unbiased heralds of Truth in the Free World indeed, can admit their errors. On page 9 of Wednsday edition. With convoluted wording, but, hey - it's so rare thing nowadays, that they (2 out of 3 authors of the original article) deserve some bonus points.

Don't believe this source as a possible "Kremlinite sell-out"? Fine! How about someone, who really, really can not be ever suspected in any pro-Moscow bias? Like a notorious Russophobe Simon Shuster? Shockingly enough, he actually was in Slavyansk, talked with the people here - and even with the Bearded Dude(tm) himself! No one fast-pogromed him, or even "kidnapped and took hostage"! What is more shockingly - he failed to uncover any evidence of the "Russian material and any other support" for the Army of Donbas Republic.

Well, it doesn't matter, anyway - Secratary Kerry just got his war paint and unburied the hatchet of war. And these 600 NATO troops in Poland and Pribaltica - they will show! They will show, erm, "USA's commitment to defense of our Allies". There. Nothing says "hush-hush, little baby - don't cry!" for USA's satellites more then some pitiful number of NATO troops and military exercises, that "reminds everyone of our ["New Europe's"] importance".

600 troops is enough, because Russia wont attack land with American troops.

[European Socialist Republic]

Hey, remember those NY-Times photos and articles about "horrible, horrbile Rushins in the Eastern Ukraine" doing separatist stuff and calling names? The article was based on the photos provided by the saintly SBU of the Ukraine, so, naturally, all loyal Weserners must believe them. Just look at mister Kerry - he is so unrepentant in his belief, that still accuses Russia in everething happening in the Eastern Ukraine!

Well, turns out, NY-Times now Retracts Russian-Photo Scoop. Independant journos serving as the unbiased heralds of Truth in the Free World indeed, can admit their errors. On page 9 of Wednsday edition. With convoluted wording, but, hey - it's so rare thing nowadays, that they (2 out of 3 authors of the original article) deserve some bonus points.

Don't believe this source as a possible "Kremlinite sell-out"? Fine! How about someone, who really, really can not be ever suspected in any pro-Moscow bias? Like a notorious Russophobe Simon Shuster? Shockingly enough, he actually was in Slavyansk, talked with the people here - and even with the Bearded Dude(tm) himself! No one fast-pogromed him, or even "kidnapped and took hostage"! What is more shockingly - he failed to uncover any evidence of the "Russian material and any other support" for the Army of Donbas Republic.

Well, it doesn't matter, anyway - Secratary Kerry just got his war paint and unburied the hatchet of war. And these 600 NATO troops in Poland and Pribaltica - they will show! They will show, erm, "USA's commitment to defense of our Allies". There. Nothing says "hush-hush, little baby - don't cry!" for USA's satellites more then some pitiful number of NATO troops and military exercises, that "reminds everyone of our ["New Europe's"] importance".

600 troops is enough, because Russia wont attack land with American troops.

Unless Putin is feeling suicidal.

[Alien Space Bats]

Dude is getting more authoritarian and paranoid day by day. Where is it going to end?

61 is a little young for dementia, but then again...

Hey, remember those NY-Times photos and articles about "horrible, horrbile Rushins in the Eastern Ukraine" doing separatist stuff and calling names? The article was based on the photos provided by the saintly SBU of the Ukraine, so, naturally, all loyal Weserners must believe them. Just look at mister Kerry - he is so unrepentant in his belief, that still accuses Russia in everething happening in the Eastern Ukraine!

Well, turns out, NY-Times now Retracts Russian-Photo Scoop. Independant journos serving as the unbiased heralds of Truth in the Free World indeed, can admit their errors. On page 9 of Wednsday edition. With convoluted wording, but, hey - it's so rare thing nowadays, that they (2 out of 3 authors of the original article) deserve some bonus points.

Don't believe this source as a possible "Kremlinite sell-out"? Fine! How about someone, who really, really can not be ever suspected in any pro-Moscow bias? Like a notorious Russophobe Simon Shuster? Shockingly enough, he actually was in Slavyansk, talked with the people here - and even with the Bearded Dude(tm) himself! No one fast-pogromed him, or even "kidnapped and took hostage"! What is more shockingly - he failed to uncover any evidence of the "Russian material and any other support" for the Army of Donbas Republic.

Well, it doesn't matter, anyway - Secratary Kerry just got his war paint and unburied the hatchet of war. And these 600 NATO troops in Poland and Pribaltica - they will show! They will show, erm, "USA's commitment to defense of our Allies". There. Nothing says "hush-hush, little baby - don't cry!" for USA's satellites more then some pitiful number of NATO troops and military exercises, that "reminds everyone of our ["New Europe's"] importance".

You should wipe the flecks of spittle off your face when you finish writing like that.

[Occupied Deutschland]

4 OCSE observers, 5 Ukrainian soldiers and a bus driver have been kidnapped in Slaviansk
https://twitter.com/carlbildt


1 Swede, 1 German,1 Dane and 1 Pole.

[inappropriatehumor]

This sounds like the build-up of a bad bar joke.

[/inappropriatehumor]

A Swede, a German, a Dane, and a Pole from the OSCE are kidnapped by pro-Russian seperatists in Slaviansk.
Russia blames NATO and says this never would have happened if not for western imperialism!

[Kouralia]

I saw TOS-1 launchers firing, and BTR-80s on BBC News as I walked out of work today, no-one's bombarded the eastern insurgents yet, have they?

[Lemanrussland]

The people kidnapped were not OSCE monitors. Only the military observers were taken.

---------------------------------------------------------

Ukraine: OSCE Mission Possibly Captured In Donetsk
The connection with the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's military verification mission in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk has been lost, Ukrayinski Novyny news agency reported April 25.
Apr 25, 2014 | 08:21 GMT

Ukraine: OSCE Mission Not Captured In Donetsk, Mission Head Says
Reports that Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe observers were captured in Donetsk are untrue, OSCE mission head Klaus Zilkens said April 25, according to messages posted on Twitter.
Apr 25, 2014 | 09:02 GMT

Ukraine: Military Officials On Stopped OSCE Bus, Militia Leader Says
Pro-federalization protesters in Slovyansk stopped a bus carrying Organization for Security and Co-operation monitors because Ukrainian military personnel were also on the bus, a local militia leader said April 25, RIA Novosti reported.
Apr 25, 2014 | 12:22 GMT

Ukraine: Military Verification Team Detained, Not OSCE Monitors, OSCE Says
The observers detained in Slovyansk by pro-federalization protesters are military observers, not Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitors, according to a message OSCE posted on Twitter on April 25.
Apr 25, 2014 | 12:55 GMT

[The balkens]

I saw TOS-1 launchers firing, and BTR-80s on BBC News as I walked out of work today, no-one's bombarded the eastern insurgents yet, have they?

Don't think so.

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

[inappropriatehumor]

This sounds like the build-up of a bad bar joke.

[/inappropriatehumor]

A Swede, a German, a Dane, and a Pole (..walk into a bar) from the OSCE are kidnapped by pro-Russian seperatists in Slaviansk.
Russia blames NATO and says this never would have happened if not for western imperialism!

I could've sworn this was going to be a joke

Meanwhile in Washington - Indian Maydan!

Cowboys, Indians, Green Groups Protest Keystone

WASHINGTON-Cowboys, farmers, and native American tribes descended on the Mall on Tuesday as part of a protest against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline from Canada that could cross their lands in Nebraska and the Dakotas.

The “Reject and Protect” rally on Earth Day numbered about 150 to 200 protesters, and included members of the Cowboy and Indian Alliance, the anti-Keystone environmental groups Bold Nebraska and 350.org, and Washington-based green-issues activists from Earth Action Now.

They arrived just days after the announcement from the U.S. State Department that it is delaying its assessment of Keystone, a move that will likely postpone the administration’s decision on whether to approve the pipeline for months.

The delay was tied to a Nebraska court ruling in February in support of a lawsuit by Nebraska landowners over property rights along the proposed pipeline route.

Organizer Jane Kleeb of Bold Nebraska told a cheering crowd, “We have made sure that TransCanadaTRP.T -0.16% has no legal route in Nebraska.”

Native tribes that have mobilized against Keystone said the proposed route will take the pipeline across parts of Indian reservations and sacred areas. “We stand here as mother bears to defend our land,” said Faith Spotted Eagle, a Sioux spiritual leader from South Dakota.

A number of Nebraska farmers and ranchers don’t want the pipeline company TransCanada Corp. to take part of their grazing and crop lands through eminent domain.

[...]

Mr. Dempsey said he had not expected the administration’s move last week to delay the Keystone decision. “Given the momentum” enjoyed by Keystone supporters after the State Department’s largely positive report in January on the pipeline’s environmental impact, he said, “to get another delay, it was surprising.”

I say! What a brillian opportunity! What if Foreign Minister Lavrov ("Great Stone Face"), or maybe even Zhirinovsky and Zyuganov (he is already Red!) come and support protesters here?

P.S.

Хто нэ скачэ - той рэднэк! Glory to Cherokee - Guron'ам слава! Sitting Bull - придэ, порядок навiдэ! Хиллбилляку - на гилляку! Янки - на томагавки! Сраные джынсники, убирайтесь в свою Еврошку!

Ah, he never fails to entertain, this one.

[Gravlen]

Ukraine, I am now your disciple.

The current government illegally removed the president, thus violating the constitution. The East and Crimea have no obligation to an illegitimate government.

What about the Constitution?

[Gravlen]

1) To adopt an impeachment resolution, a minimum two-thirds of the parliament must support the impeachment procedure. To remove the President from office, a minimum three-quarters of parliament must support the resolution. The Constitutional and the Supreme Court of Ukraine's conclusions and decisions are considered at the parliamentary meetings.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_ ... succession

What's the correct constitutional procedure to deal with a President who've chosen to leave the country and doesn't return to fulfill his duties as president?

[European Socialist Republic]

"Wake up sheeple! The CIA is controlling the internet!"
"That's why I am going create my own version so that I can control it!"

What next? Kremlin approved operating systems?

To be fair, he's right about the internet being "half-pornography"; that was spot-on.

But that's the good half!

[The Lone Alliance]

China has not been sitting on its hands since the 70's. The Japanese will be very surprised.

And Japan hasn't been sitting on their hands since the 70s either. Their entire defense revolves around keeping air control and anti-ship cruise missiles.

You put too much faith in Japan which has the world knows cannot even contain a power plant from contaminating Japan and the ocean various times over.

The entire pacific ocean is not going to die off from the reactor. Neither is all of Japan.

When it comes to those islands contested between China and Japan, it will be worked out diplomatically.

Why should anyone bother to give China what doesn't belong to them, especially when they're acting like total dicks and claiming lands no where near the border. Just because it has "China" in it doesn't mean China owns the entire sea.

*SNIP*

How much is Russia paying you?

[DnalweN acilbupeR]

Now, to the defectors affair.

http://news.yahoo.com/ukraine-disbands-army-unit-fiasco-push-east-144943083.html

Ukraine on Thursday disbanded an army unit that lost six armoured vehicles to pro-Russian militants, as Kiev's military reeled from a disastrous attempt to oust separatists in its eastern regions.

"The 25th parachute brigade, members of which showed cowardice and gave up their weapons, will be demobilised and the guilty servicemen brought before court," acting President Oleksandr Turchynov told parliament.

Ukraine's enfeebled army suffered a major embarrassment Wednesday as a much-hyped "anti-terrorist" operation to force pro-Moscow protesters out of a string of eastern towns descended into humiliating farce when separatists seized six armoured personnel carriers and forced another mechanised column of troops to disarm.

Ukraine's defence ministry said in a statement Thursday that the column of armoured vehicles and soldiers blockaded a day earlier by pro-Russian activists in the town of Kramatorsk was returning to base after the tense stand-off.

The capitulation represents a serious blow to the fragile morale of Ukraine's embattled armed forces and Kiev's hopes of reimposing its authority over its industrial heartland.

High-level talks aimed at ending the escalating crisis involving the top diplomats of Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union were being held in Geneva on Thursday.

Ukraine has accused the Kremlin of masterminding the unrest sweeping the east, allegations that Moscow has repeatedly denied.

Elsewhere in the region, Ukrainian national guard troops repelled an overnight attack on their base in the southeast city of Mariupol, killing three of the assailants and wounding 13, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said Thursday.

Around 300 people mounted the attack using guns and petrol bombs on the interior ministry troops, none of whom was hurt, Avakov said.

http://www.utro.ru/articles/2014/04/17/1189991.shtml

VDV Brigade of the Ukrainian Army that ended up being surrounded by civilians of Kramatorsk, opted not to assault further into the city. As a result, the brigade will be demobilized on orders of acting president, Aleksander Turchinov.

"25th separate VDV brigade, whose soldiers demonstrated cowardice and handed out their weapons will be disbanded. Cowards will answer before court" stated Turchinov according to RBK. According to Turchinov, he already handed all of the necessary paperwork to the ministry of defense and the [Svoboda led] general prosecutor's office.

Earlier, a few armored infantry vehicles failed to move into Krematorsk where they were ordered to conduct an "antiterrorist operation" due to the resistance of the "militia members" and ended up retreating to Pchelkino, on the ouskirts of the city. After this, the column was blocked by local civilians, some of whom allegedly wore masks.

According to the ministry of defense, the commander of Ukraine's VDV, Aleksander Svetz began negotiations with the civilians of Krematorsk. He was able to get the civilians to enabled to soldiers to exit peaceful, as long as they turned over the bullets and did not reload their weapons.

Since the start of the week, several cities in the Southeast of Ukraine are being subject to an "anti-terrorist operation" with the goal of pacifying those who support the Federalization of Ukraine, [Not independence! Federalization!] who captured several administrative buildings and asked for a democratic referendum.

I'd like to start off by saying that Shof, what you wrote here is a stinking pile of bullshit, overfull with appeals to emotion and unsubstantiated claims. This is perhaps one of the least thought of responses of yours.

Turchinov's Government tells Ukrainian troops: "fire on civilians, or be court martialed!"

Yeah, except he didn't. I like how on the row immediately below you admit this is bullshit yet you decide to keep this as a catchy headline of sorts.

Not his exact words, but he did just threaten an entire brigade with court martial, all because they dared to not shoot at civilians without weapons. He's going after them for "cowardice" while hiding behind the backs of anyone who'll get in front of him:

No, this has nothing to do with it. Your claim that the Ukrainian military were ordered to fire on unarmed civilians is stinkier than an athlete's shoes after a 3 hour marathon, source it or it dies right here and now.

separatists seized six armoured personnel carriers and forced another mechanised column of troops to disarm

Ceding military hardware and firearms to separatists will get you court martial'd (it's really fucking serious) in any self-respecting military and rightfully so. Denying this is just convenient ignorance and dishonesty on your part. Don't you realize how ridiculous this sounds? What if Russians ceded APCs and weapons to Chechen insurgents? You don't comprehend the seriousness of this do you? Perhaps removing the bias goggles would help.

I'm fucking speechless. Despite the hell that they've been put through, by all sides, they don't want to secede, but they want more autonomy, so that they can topple the inept Oligarchs ruling them without intervention from Kiev. And for this act, for daring to live a better life as part of Ukraine and protesting by occupying buildings, the exact same thing that Maidaners claimed to do, these people are dubbed "terrorists!" Take a good look NSG, at these "terrorists"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwhErv6Wujc

Those are the people that Turchinov wants to hand over to Svoboda on a silver platter. You shouldn't be supporting Kiev. You shouldn't be supporting Moscow. You shouldn't be supporting the Oligarchs. At this point, if you still give two shits about democracy, you should be supporting Federalization and amnesty. Amnesty for the brave soldiers who didn't fire at civilians. Amnesty for civilians that came out to speak with armed soldiers. Federalization, with the East as part of Ukraine, but without Western Oligarchs. That, BTW, is what has pricks like Kolomoiski and Taruta on edge, the same Kolomoisky who's a Western imposed Oligarch on Dnepropetrovsk, the same Kolomoisky who's now handing out bounties. Welcome to Russia of the 1990s, welcome to Oligarch Ukraine. Wake the fuck up people. These aren't fucking terrorists:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wetleAB1XmY

Edit, another source: http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/30280.html

I dropped a tear, I have to admit. Whatever you are, call your boss right now and tell him you quit, and become a full time politician. It'd be a shame to waste such great talent at spreading lies and appealing to emotion based on unsubstantiated claims.

Apparently not shooting at unarmed civilians = cowardice in the eyes of Kiev.

Right

I love how you try to paint this like the situation had a binary result - either the soldiers shot the civilians or did what they did. Of course you do, it's convenient after all.

One does not simply "surround and detain" soldiers like that. They let themselves be detained. BMDs are machines designed to go off road, through really crappy terrain, dense forests even. It's what they do. Block a road, it won't be a problem for them, they'll go around a block. Try and block roads inside cities even, there are few things separatists could crop up that a BMD won't go around, through or over. You do realize this is criminal behavior, it's called "false imprisonment" and the soldiers had every right to self-defense, including against such acts. As far as civilians spontaneously surrounding BMDs, I'm sorry, as a soldier you shouldn't let yourself be overrun, and even then, if they tried to get out of there peacefully and you jumped in front of their APCs I'm sorry to break it to you but you're the one in the wrong here. They have no obligation (and indeed, no right) whatsoever to succumb to mob rule.

Here, we'll do this: source the claim that they were ordered to fire on unarmed civilians, and you've won this argument.