Iggy Ostanin has written an insightful piece for "The Interpreter" on loose cannon and pro-Russian commander Igor Girkin (aka Strelkov). Here's an excerpt:
Even though the origins of Strelkov’s role in the Ukrainian conflict remain uncertain, and it is without question that he worked for Russia’s GRU, it is also clear that he is a sincere believer in the reactionary ideology of the pro-Russian uprising. And despite the media portrayals of Strelkov as Putin’s envoy, his loyalty to the current Russian administration is doubtful. He is critical of Russia’s Minister of Defence, Sergey Shoigu, whom he claims is both a “thief” and never “served a day in the armed forces.” Strelkov describes Putin’s policies as the “typical politics of a Latin American dictator, who isn’t willing to step aside once he gets to power,” and suggests that he would only be willing to support Putin “if he made a major change of course,” that is to say if he distanced Russia from any Western ideas of a liberal democracy.
The battle for eastern Ukrainian hearts and minds continues.
Ukrainian authorities are advising residents to flee areas "occupied by" separatists. Here's Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko at a news briefing today:
"Terrorists are robbing local population, kidnapping citizens, seizing private houses and vehicles on the territories they have taken over. Because of that we are advising local citizens to leave territories occupied by terrorists."
More details of Russia's military exercises at Ukraine's doorstep.
From our newsroom, summarizing what we know at this point about the hundreds of Ukrainian troops who crossed the border into Russia overnight. Still conflicting information on the cause and their intentions:
Russian news agencies report that more than 400 Ukrainian soldiers crossed into Russia overnight, allegedly to avoid fighting with pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military confirmed that an undisclosed number of troops had crossed into Russia but it denied Russian media reports the soldiers were seeking refugee status.
The Russian media reports quoted a senior security official as saying a "humanitarian corridor was opened" for 438 Ukrainian soldiers who asked permission to enter Russia.
The soldiers were reportedly surrounded by the rebels after they ran out of ammunition.
The reports said 180 of the troops had since been returned to Ukraine.
Based on reporting by AP, AFP, Reuters, and ITAR-TASS
So Lavrov expresses an interest in meetings that include the OSCE, but warns against calling the breakaway leaders in eastern Ukraine who held sham referendums and tried to unilaterally secede and seek Russian help "separatists."