full interview with Mykola Volynko, Head of the Trade Union of Donbas Miners

Give these people guns already. Arm them and then allow a referendum, but guns first!

– So do you think that Ukraine is losing Donbas?

No, Ukraine will not lose Donbas; people do not want this to happen. Although it might seem like it from the outside. Especially from the side shown by the Russian media. I ask you: Do we have an uprising? Do we have a lot of blood on the streets? Barricades? Have you been on the streets? Is it the case?

– Not here, but it is the case in Sloviansk.

Well, in Sloviansk… This is all happening with the “help” of the local authorities and local law enforcement agencies and because of the indecisiveness of the central government. If you look at it, the army has been falling apart for years, not just the last few months, the police and the Security Services were being corrupted for years, the local government represented by the Party of Regions and their jackasses from the Communist Party were robbing the region since 1991, again and again. All those who disagreed either disappeared or left, and some were bribed. So there you go.

I would like to ask you! Why does Putin need this headache – Donbas? Why doesn’t he sort out what is happening in the Krasnodar region? You know that Krasnodar is already unofficially called ‘New Yerevan.” My father is from Krasnodar, and my soul aches seeing the things which are happening there. Why does he meddle with us? Why does he not sort out his own mess?

– ‘New Yerevan’ because there are many people from the Caucasus there?

Of course! Why do the Kuban Cossacks remain silent and tolerate this humiliation and outrage? We, the people of Ukraine, stood up because we were sick of the outrage.

– You were suffering in silence for a long time. No one stood up in Donbas until Yanukovych was toppled in Kyiv.

Yes?? Do you know how many members of our Union and the Independent Union of the Miners of Ukraine were on Maidan (Independnece Square in Kyiv)? Do you? There were many of us!

http://euromaidanpr.com/2014/05/12/we-will-not-let-putin-spit-into-our-soul-full-interview-with-mykola-volynko-head-of-the-trade-union-of-donbas-miners/

In 1992, 62% of Tartarstan supported referendum for independence

On August 30, 1990, Tatarstan announced its sovereignty with the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of the Tatar Soviet Socialist Republic and in 1992 Tatarstan held a referendum on the new constitution, and 62 percent of those who took part voted in favor of the constitution. In the 1992 Tatarstan Constitution, Tatarstan is defined as a Sovereign State. However the referendum and constitution were declared unconstitutional by the Russian Constitutional Court.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatarstan

Children’s Art in Russia

@FroodyWisco May 11

“@Bongo__Fury @WeAreUkraine Kids in #Russia reflect what they consume on daily basis. #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/GHZzlzn1F9 #Uniteblue #Libcrib

russian-childrend-drawing

“In the Garden of the Beasts” describes 1939 Berlin. 2014 Moscow is probably very similar.

The “Referendum” in Donbas

100k Filled out Ballots Captured
http://euromaidanpr.com/2014/05/10/more-than-100-thousand-pre-filled-separatist-referendum-ballots-seized-as-a-terrorist-group-is-captured/

***

@WSJ

People line up to vote in the Eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk Sunday: http://trib.al/WTcl1IU (AFP/Getty)

People-Lined-Up-To-Vote

***

@CraigCartier1 May 11

Just as many separatists are imports,apparently voters imported also. 6 Russian-plated buses at voting precinct today

Bussing-in-Separatists-Votes

***

@Ukroblogger 21h

In #Sloviansk, #Russian warlord Girkin appeals to #Russia for help & appoints self DPR Commander-in-Chief.

***

@Ukroblogger

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRSi6YbRdhs … It’s official!#Donetsk Ppl’s Republic wants 2join #Russia. Ball’s in #Putin’s court #Ukraine

***

89%, just as instructed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRSi6YbRdhs

Donetsk-89-Percent

May 9 in Mariupol

Ukrainian soldier fires an RPG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5MrAZqW2H8

Dead government supporter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldhMUAVTh7c

Barricades on fire near city council. BPMs drive by

Government BMP captured (imo, it might have been abandoned due to mechanical failure or smth)

Civilians surround, try to stop BMP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_ixAox84Ow

video of stand off between people and Ukrainian soldiers. Lots of shouting and name calling. 1 Civilian shot at 5:35. 3+ civilians get shot at 7:00+

Police building occupied by Pro-Russians after taking fire from Ukrainian army
http://vk.com/video42230924_168465179

Another video of people stopping BMP. Same event
Quarrels between soldiers and civilians:
http://vk.com/video-41080687_168447070

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wI567ySEYwvideo1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVy5VAIeZF4video2

People shout at pro-government fighters carrying their injured

People stop army column. Soldiers open fire (probably in the air, but not quite sure)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrYGsOn0WX4

Fire in the Police building starting. Voice behind the camera accuses of pro-government soldiers of starting the fire while pro-Russians are inside (1:50+). Though it can't be seen how the fire was started

Injured city deputy. Killed civilian

Another civilian shot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iE73IKPpnF0

EDIT: I’ve seen multiple reports of pro-Russian militia leaving Slavyansk for Mariupol, including Chechens with experience in guerrilla warfare. In coming hours (evening – night of the 9th of May) there might occur some real heavy fighting

EDIT2: Apparently government soldiers have pulled out from Mariupol and block all traffic in and out of the city

EDIT3: Electricity was cut off. Now its back on

Source: http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/comments/24tmfe/ukraine_open_discussion_thread_sticky_post_9/