Meanwhile, Back In the Apparently-Forgotten Eastern Ukraine . . .

. . . a shooting war seems to have broken out.

This conflict recently appears to have been pretty much ignored by our “wonderful” mainstream media. They seem far more interested in chasing the latest “bright shiny objects” (the VA scandal and the POTUS’’s remarks concerning Syria).

Here’s a brief summary of what’s been happening in the Eastern Ukraine recently:

• Ukrainian forces have launched a major effort to retake the eastern Ukraine from pro-Russian separatist militias.
• Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Ukraine have resisted, resulting in the beginning of a de facto shooting war.
• Pro-Russian separatists have attempted to seize the Donetsk airport, currently held by Ukrainian forces. They were repelled, with significant casualties.
• Ukrainian forces have committed heavy artillery and jet aircraft to hostilities around the city of Slovansk.
• The self-appointed pro-Russian mayor of Slovansk, Vyacheslav Ponomarev, has stated that a missing 4-man OSCE observer team – who were sent to an area controlled by pro-Russian forces after being told they were not welcome and should stay out – is safe, presumably in the custody of pro-Russian forces. He has promised their release, but did not specify when that would occur.
• A Ukrainian helicopter carrying 14 – including a Ukrainian General, Serhiy Kulchyskiy – was downed by pro-Russian forces, apparently using a MANPADS.  There were no survivors.
• Ukrainian forces – including helicopters, armored vehicles, and other combat troops – have moved towards Donetsk. The Ukrainian government has threatened to retake Donetsk by force if necessary.

Russian forces have not yet intervened. It’s an open question at this point of whether or not they will.

Some additional details and background can be found in this article from Fox News.

Yeah, this one’s getting . . . kinda hot.

Category: Foreign Policy, Military issues