via Russia Times.
Scores of casualties were reported as eastern Ukrainian militias were allegedly closing in on Mariupol port hours before a ceasefire pledged by President Poroshenko was announced. Authorities say they repelled the attacks and the city is calm.If the above photo is accurate then there is no longer any doubt.
The fighting near Mariupol has cost the cost the lives of seven civilians, including two children, during the two days, Konstantin Batozsky, adviser to the Head of Dnipropetrovsk Region, said on Friday.
“Yesterday, the fighting led to the deaths of four civilians, including two combine operators involved in harvesting. Today, three civilians were killed (including two children). A total of 23 people were injured,”Batozsky wrote on his Facebook page.
On Friday, Shirokino village, some 20 kilometers west of Mariupol, remained the main battleground in the Donetsk Region, with “no fighting taking place within Mariupol’s city limits,” Batozsky said at a press conference.
The cameraman for RT’s Ruptly video agency confirmed that fighting is currently taking place outside Mariupol – in Shirokino village.
Russian forces are definitely in Ukraine.
NATO was negotiating from a position of weakness. They have no forces in the area and indications are that they're not willing to commit any in the future. Meanwhile, according to the Pentagon, the Russians have assembled an extremely capable, technological impressive fighting force on the border---and apparently inside the country.
They can talk of negotiated peace all they want. This won't end until the Russians consolidate their positions, achieve all strategic/tactical goals and only then will their guns be silenced.
That's simply the way of war.
