Ukraine/Russia War—a Chronology

Russian attempts to carve up Ukraine have recently ground to a halt, but, sadly, reporting by the West has not improved. Therefore, here is what has happened so far.

1. Ukraine economically inches towards the EU, much to the dismay of Russia.
2. Putin snatches victory from the jaws of defeat when he convinces Yanukovich to sign an economic agreement with Russia.
3. Residents of Kiev become angry and protest. Yanukovich becomes fearful, gathers up all his portable wealth and flees to Russia, legally abdicating.
4. With the approval of parliament, Yatsenyuk becomes temporary leader of Ukraine.
5. Russian propaganda claims that neo-fascists have illegally seized control of the Ukraine government. Western media swallows this lie: hook, line, and sinker.
6. Russia seizes Crimea, using a faked pop-election as a fig leaf. Putin proudly proclaims that Crimea is now a legitimate part of Russia.
7. Using partisans, mercenaries, military intel, and paramilitary, Russia tries to destabilize the eastern (Russian speaking) parts of Ukraine, hoping for a political disintegration of Ukraine.
8. Ukraine holds an election and elects Poroshenko leader. The newly reconstituted government responds to the Russian incursion with military force. The situation now resembles war, which it really is.
9. Russian efforts grind to a halt.
10. Russian SAM batteries, which have been shooting down Ukraine military jets, deliberately shoot down a civilian airliner, hoping to blame it on the Ukrainian military. Western media refuse to take the bait, and it boomerangs back on Russia.

Ukraine/Russia War—The Next Generation

This is not a civil war. It is simply a military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, pure and simple. It is no more complicated than that. Revanchism is the watchword (Google it). Review the Russian invasion of Georgia.