Is Ukraine the New Afghanistan of The Cold War? Oligarchs Using Private Militia.

Amidst the uncertainty surrounding apparent internal Kremlin turmoil and rumors of a stealthy coup attempt in Russia, things in the Ukraine get even more out of hand. So much so that modern observers can begin to draw several parallels between Ukraine now, and Afghanistan in the 1980's. Back then, it was the Afghani warlords (with US support) causing problems for the Soviets. Now, it's Ukrainian oligarchs (with US connections), picking up the role of the Mujahideen.

Ukrainian billionaire oligarch, and governor of Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, Igor Kolomoisky, sent his private army to seize control of the state-owned UkrTransNafta oil company. Kolomoisky, who has strong ties to US Senator Jim Inhofe, has been the most aggressive of the Ukrainian oligarchs, with a growing private military, and the largest of an estimated 30 such groups… most accused of serious human rights violations.

Read more: VOX: We just got a glimpse of how oligarch-funded militias could bring chaos to Ukraine

The worrying thing about Kolomoisky's raid on the oil company last week is that it seems to have partially worked: Kolomoisky may not have been able to keep his ally in the chairman's job, but he reportedly said that he and Ukraine's president have reached an agreement to install a temporary chairman for UkrTransNafta who "would not be carrying out any investigations of its finances." Kolomoisky has significant interests in the oil company; now, it seems, he's been able to use his private army to shield his business dealings from legal or financial scrutiny.

While fighting the war against the separatists might be a priority now, at some point the Ukrainian government needs to be able to govern Ukraine. It can't do that if parts of the country are dominated by militias that don't obey any official authority.

With reports that the Obama administration is considering (publicly announcing) military aid for the Ukraine, powder-keg is more and more becoming an understatement.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Well, as i was saying a year ago, this civil war was started by the west. And i thought that this time the cause was different. But it always stays the same! Always the goddamn oil and the absolute control of that country! I swear, I envy the future generations without oil! Considering this is the truth, of course! Because for once, I'd like to get a real credible source for a claim!

And not to mention that Yanuckovich was pro-Russia orientated.

Your link about human rights violations does not work.

a reply to: Blueracer

I linked to a different source. That's really odd. It worked for me when I first checked it, and now it's blank page. Conspiracy?

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

So the Russians had absolutely nothing to do with it?

a reply to: Greathouse

I really don't think that's an absolute takeaway one can glean from the material. But it's been clear that Russia, through it's sponsoring of the Russian-aligned "volunteer" army, is not fighting just Ukraine.

originally posted by: Blueracer
Your link about human rights violations does not work.

It's working for me.

Amnesty International documents war crimes by pro-Kiev militia

Amnesty International released a report September 8 on war crimes committed by pro-Kiev forces against ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine. The document, “Ukraine: Abuses and war crimes by the Aidar Volunteer Battalion in the north Luhansk region,” is the result of a two-week research mission in the region. It confirms that the Kiev regime is using extreme-right militias to suppress pro-Russian opposition to February’s Western-backed coup—with the tacit backing of the US and European Union (EU)....

The report states, “While hailed by many nationally as a committed fighting force, the Aidar battalion has acquired locally a reputation for brutal reprisals, robbery, beatings and extortion.”

Some of the abuses “amount to war crimes, for which both the perpetrators and, possibly, the commanders would bear responsibility under national and international law.”

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Now, it's Ukrainian oligarchs (with US connections), picking up the role of the Mujahideen.

Just as the Afghan's didn't want Russia there, Ukraine feels the same way.

So I guess it could be looked that way.

With reports that the Obama administration is considering (publicly announcing) military aid for the Ukraine, powder-keg is more and more becoming an understatement.

This could all be avoided if Putin would pull his troops back from Ukraine, until that happens other nations will continue to support Ukraine with some type of military hardware.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

I'm sorry that is in no way clear at all. Have you read about the Russian conscripts being forced to extend their tour of duty in order to fight in the Ukraine?

The Russian troops that are actively fighting in the Ukraine are not volunteers, I realize you quoted that word, but the use of "volunteers" is purely disinformation. It is simply a move by Putin to distance himself from the actual Russian military involvement in the Ukraine.

I mean what do you expect to Ukrainians to do just rollover?

a reply to: tsurfer2000h

Do we have to go trough time every-single-time?

Just as the Afghan's didn't want Russia there, Ukraine feels the same way.

What do you mean? I don't understand this. Do you mean, Ukraine does not want Russian people living there or? If you're saying that, that is called genocide, in case you didn't know!

This could all be avoided if Putin would pull his troops back from Ukraine, until that happens other nations will continue to support Ukraine with some type of military hardware.

Care to give us ONE evidence that shows Russian troops in Ukraine? So far we've got none! Why is the west not sending aid to ordinary people in Eastern Ukraine? Is it because mostly Russians live there, and they do not want to help ordinary people fighting for their lives and homes?

And as for other countries sending military aid to Ukraine, that's already being done. But, despite that, Ukraine suffered big defeat and it is yet to be seen weather or not will they lose any other region but Crimea!

I've got a simple solution for the crisis in Ukraine. If they accepted full military neutrality, I strongly believe the things over there would settle.

Here is a report discussing human rights in Ukraine...

www.ohchr.org...

a reply to: FlyersFan

That is a completely one sided view. Amnesty international says that both sides committed war crimes in Ukraine. But I'm sure you will ignore that.

both sides have committed war crimes.

I absolutely love it when I can use a pro-Russian propaganda Machine as a source.

“All sides in this conflict have shown disregard for civilian lives and are blatantly violating their international obligations,” said Salil Shetty, Amnesty International’s Secretary General.

RT admits both sides have committed war crimes in the Ukraine

originally posted by: Nikola014
Care to give us ONE evidence that shows Russian troops in Ukraine?

Just as it's absurd to rebut the US involvement in the Ukrainian revolt in Kiev, it's also ridiculous (at this point) repudiate Russian regulars in the Ukraine. Here's a good start: Hard evidence, the regular Russian army invades Ukraine

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

At the moment there`s definitely a stand off between Oligarch Kolomoisky with his private army and Poroshenko.

The situation is of course rather chaotic, but these three links give a good idea about what has happened so far...

Kolomoisky vs. Poroshenko: Kiev junta split into two camps because of a secret Minsk protocol?

Analyst: The conflict between Poroshenko and Kolomoisky could bury the Ukrainian economy

Will there be fighting in Kiev ?

If the reports are right, we just have to wait and see what will happen the next few days. Armed volunteer battalions going to Kiev doesn`t have to mean they will be fighting, or there will be a coup attempt right away...but it could be.

Media: armed volunteer battalions heading for Kiev

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

I do not deny the fact that Russia is supplying the rebels with military equipment, that would be absurd, what I deny is the presence of the Russian military in Ukraine. And for that, there's no proof whatsoever. If there were, the west would be showing us evidence a long, long time ago.

Just like the US and NATO is supplying Ukraine with military weapons, Russia is doing the same. That's a well-known fact.

a reply to: Nikola014

What do you mean? I don't understand this. Do you mean, Ukraine does not want Russian people living there or?

Was the Afghan war fought because Russian's lived there, No it was fought because Russia sent it's military there to fight.

Same thing in Ukraine, as Russia sent troops in and Ukraine doesn't want them there.

It has nothing to do with Russian's living in Ukraine, because if it was they would have been gone long before now.

Care to give us ONE evidence that shows Russian troops in Ukraine?

Sure...

Seems as though the separatists have let the cat out of the bag...

"Among us are fighting serving soldiers, who would rather take their vacation not on a beach but with us, among brothers, who are fighting for their freedom," Alexander Zakharchenko, the prime minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republi

www.france24.com...

Fighting serving soldiers from Russia, no your right they have no soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

So maybe this just slipped your mind...

Yelena Tumanova, a hospital orderly from Russia’s Mari El republic, said her son Anton Tumanov told her by phone on 10 August that his army unit was being sent to Donetsk. On 20 August, a coffin came back to Mari El with a small window through which she could see his face. His legs had been torn off by an artillery strike, his comrades told her. He was 20 years old.

www.theguardian.com...

Hard to deny them being there when they are sent back home from Ukraine in a coffin.

a reply to: SkepticOverlord

Kolomoisky is talking almost like Nuland but towards USA.

Who are you ? - Radio Svoboda ? - F$sk You.

Hmm, that will be interesting to see american MSM reaction when they realize he was talking in such tone with famous
"Radio Freedom" lol

Priceless
partial translation from the video

And what I am doing here I will tell you later in court. Do you understand, Svoboda? Why are you so quiet? Do you have any more questions, or did you stuff your tongue in your @ss? Tell me, you are the famous Radio Svoboda that broke apart the Soviet Union, toppled the bolsheviks, propagated OUN-UPA. What are you waiting for - passports, or used condoms? Where is the #sshole Leshenko? Are you going to show this on your TV or your Internet?!

a reply to: tsurfer2000h

Same thing in Ukraine, as Russia sent troops in and Ukraine doesn't want them there.

It has nothing to do with Russian's living in Ukraine, because if it was they would have been gone long before now.

Well, then who's fighting Ukrainian military and why are they called rebels/separatists, if they are soldiers from Russia? Why are Ukrainian people escaping to Russia and not to Kiev?

Fighting serving soldiers from Russia, no you right they have no soldiers fighting in Ukraine.

Yes, they are called volunteers and I am not talking about them. But you can play naive as much as you want to.

Hard to deny them being there when they are sent back home from Ukraine in a coffin.

It's the guardian! The same source that told us their reporters saw Russian military vehicles crossing the border while forgetting to carry their camera with them to capture that!

originally posted by: Greathouse
That is a completely one sided view. Amnesty international says that both sides committed war crimes in Ukraine. But I'm sure you will ignore that.

A poster said they couldn't get the link to work. So I said that I could get it to work and I reposted the link with a quote from the article. I wasn't agreeing or disagreeing. I was simply helping a poster to get to the information. That's it.

My opinion on Russia and Ukraine has been very clear - Putin is taking advantage of a weak US and has invaded the Ukraine knowing that he won't get much blowback. Russian troops ARE in the Ukraine. And if the Oligarchs are fighting back with private militia it's understandable.

originally posted by: Nikola014
a reply to: SkepticOverlord

I do not deny the fact that Russia is supplying the rebels with military equipment, that would be absurd, what I deny is the presence of the Russian military in Ukraine. And for that, there's no proof whatsoever. If there were, the west would be showing us evidence a long, long time ago.

Just like the US and NATO is supplying Ukraine with military weapons, Russia is doing the same. That's a well-known fact.

The story is actually very simple...

There are only volunteers fighting in the Ukraine !

- NATO volunteers (mercenaries)

- Russian volunteers (actual volunteers at the militia (that`s how they are called now according to Minsk 2 agreement) and spetsnaz)

That`s why the Ukrainian general said in January, "Ukraine isn`t fighting regular Russian army."

Both sides accuse each other of it, but at the same time keep the evidence secret (they both don`t want to get it out in the open too much).

Nowadays, special forces aren`t called war anymore. Russia simply plays the same game and calls them also volunteers, just as the US does.