RF Ghost Soldiers Continue to Die in Ukraine Without Any Honor From Russia

[ArmyATC]

Putin Still Does This To His Soldiers

A man who gave his name as Dmitry said: "His niece was told that he was in Ukraine, that's where he died.

"The notice of death came, the military recruitment officer brought it personally."

Another man said Ivan died "in Donbas", a region claimed by pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine.

He said there had been paratroopers at the funeral, but that Ivan himself "was Spetsnaz".

In each of the three locations a number of people told us the men "died heroically" - but if they did, serving their country, and not in Ukraine, why is their government silent about their deaths?

And if these men had left the army and were not on active duty at the time, why is the ministry of defence sending flowers to their funerals?

As a veteran this truly disturbs, angers, and saddens me. These three young men died 5-5-15 in Ukraine. They received wreaths from the MOD, and FSB shows up to the funerals. Yet Russia denies them honor by covering up their deaths, and in most cases, refuse to offer assistance. Just enforcement of silence..

Sometimes, when an US soldier dies somewhere they shouldn't be, the US will classify the deaths. But always they at least give them a proper burial (if possible), and at least give them and their families the respect and human dignity they should be given for dying for one's country.

We are talking women, children, mothers and fathers here who are losing there immediate family members here. Disgusting..

This is a very big story inside Russia, because they have suffered huge casualties before from war and communism. I just hope it gets bigger...

http://news.sky.com/story/1499223/russian-soldiers-deaths-raise-ukraine-questions

 

[jayfeather31]

Putin Still Does This To His Soldiers

A man who gave his name as Dmitry said: "His niece was told that he was in Ukraine, that's where he died.

"The notice of death came, the military recruitment officer brought it personally."

Another man said Ivan died "in Donbas", a region claimed by pro-Russian rebels in Ukraine.

He said there had been paratroopers at the funeral, but that Ivan himself "was Spetsnaz".

In each of the three locations a number of people told us the men "died heroically" - but if they did, serving their country, and not in Ukraine, why is their government silent about their deaths?

And if these men had left the army and were not on active duty at the time, why is the ministry of defence sending flowers to their funerals?

As a veteran this truly disturbs, angers, and saddens me. These three young men died 5-5-15 in Ukraine. They received wreaths from the MOD, and FSB shows up to the funerals. Yet Russia denies them honor by covering up their deaths, and in most cases, refuse to offer assistance. Just enforcement of silence..

Sometimes, when an US soldier dies somewhere they shouldn't be, the US will classify the deaths. But always they at least give them a proper burial (if possible), and at least give them and their families the respect and human dignity they should be given for dying for one's country.

We are talking women, children, mothers and fathers here who are losing there immediate family members here. Disgusting..

This is a very big story inside Russia, because they have suffered huge casualties before from war and communism. I just hope it gets bigger...

http://news.sky.com/story/1499223/russian-soldiers-deaths-raise-ukraine-questions

If it does get bigger we could see some slight destabilization. It'll take more than that however to cause a change in policy.

 

[ArmyATC]

If it does get bigger we could see some slight destabilization. It'll take more than that however to cause a change in policy.

Oh yes, I definitely agree. It would take a lot more than that. Putin is there to stay. But if, and it's a big if, he will at least stop the flow of weapons and personnel, Ukraine may have a chance.

If the central government will initiate a policy of some form of a hands-off approach to Crimea, it would give the international community a chance to follow and be able to save face. Ukraine holds its fate in its own hands to a large extent, as I see it, since Russia and the US appear to be stepping back politically.

Don't get me wrong, militarily NATO and Russia still have serious issues, but they appear to have changed the narrative to treaty violations in order to save face and give Ukraine some self-determinism.

With some move in the direction of at least an informal, even implied by ommission, recognition that Crimea is at least independent (they don't need to say its part of Russia), then peace may have a chance. Without that first step, I don't think so.

A lot of 'if's', but these next few weeks are critical, IMO, considering the level of desperation of both the people and the warring factions. Where there is a true will, there is always a way.