Ukraine At War

Despite Initial Euphoria, Many Russians Less Certain Putin’s Crimea Ploy Benefits Them

March 18, 2014

Staunton, March 18 – Despite the initial euphoria promoted by the Kremlin’s propaganda effort, ever more Russians appear to be concerned that what Vladimir Putin has done in Crimea, however good it made them feel in the short term, may have bad consequences for themselves, their country, and even for those who have backed this […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 29: Russia Annexes Crimea

Russia has officially annexed Crimea, and Ukrainian forces stationed in military bases on the peninsula have until Friday to evacuate to mainland Ukraine. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 28: The Day After the Referendum

March 17, 2014

The results of Crimea’s referendum were overwhelming in favor of joining Russia. The government in Ukraine, and most of the international community, does not recognize the referendum. With Russian and Ukrainian military forces digging in only kilometers from each other, the world waits to see what happens next. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 27: Referendum Day

March 16, 2014

Crimea has gone to the polls today to decide, nominally at least, between joining the Russian Federation or reverting to the 1992 Crimean consitution (a declaration of independence from Ukraine in all but name). The referendum has been condemned by both the Ukrainian government and almost all foreign states bar Venezuela, Syria and North Korea. […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 26: Has the War Already Started?

March 15, 2014

Has the war already started? There are unconfirmed reports of two dead in Kharkiv, an explosion at Kharkiv University, and Russian paratroopers on the ground in mainland Ukraine. We’ll be tracking developments and sorting rumor from report as the day goes on.   Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 25: Russia Preparing to Invade Ukraine

March 14, 2014

Today, all indications are that Russia is making preparations to invade Ukraine, not just Crimea but perhaps as far west as Kharkiv, or even beyond. Whether Russia will invade or not is still anyone’s guess, but it’s not just troop movements that we’re watching. Russia is, at the very least, prepared to use their ability […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 24: Russia Mobilizes Near the Border

March 13, 2014

Yesterday, Russian tanks, APCs, and troops were seen mobilizing just north of Kharkiv, a few kilometers from the border with Ukraine. Today, the Russian Defense Ministry calls these movements “drills.” Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable […]

Yes Russia Controls Crimea, and Yes Those Really are Russian Troops

Other than the repeated denunciations of the west aggravating the situation by a coterie of Russian government officials (Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu dismissed claims that Russian troops were in Crimea as an “act of provocation” and “utter nonsense”), one would be hard pressed to find any serious commentator still denying that the troops blockading Ukrainian […]

Ukraine Liveblog Day 23: Ukraine’s Interim Prime Minister Meets Obama

March 12, 2014

The Ukrainian Prime Minister meets with President Barack Obama, while the Russian government works to control the message on Ukraine. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see see our latest podcast. Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation […]

Yarosh is Spoiling for a Fight

The article below has new-found significance. It was published by the Russian government-operated daily newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, seen as a direct mouthpiece for the Kremlin. The piece has added significance because the Russian government has warned the independent media outlet Lenta.ru over an interview they conducted with Ukrainian Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh. Now, without […]