Ukraine rebels fight for Republic of Akhmetov in Donetsk
BY KYLE ANDREW BROWN
HORLIVKA, Ukraine, February 2 – The Headline Writers Guild at the New York Times read correspondent Rick Lyman’s report following a tour of an observation post and punched up this headline to describe Russia’s sponsored militia in Donetsk:
Rebels are upbeat and eager to advance
We’re not altogether sure how Rick stitched together the notion of a buoyant mood along the Front Lines. For all we’ve got to go on is a coupla quotes. From Pavel – a 50 something rebel leader who we guess worked oligarch Rinat Akhmetov’s mines for 30 years.
Brandon Hoffman’s Photo:Rebel leader gets a happy hug while Sniper Ira giggles.
Rick says the rebels are upbeat because two weeks ago pro-Russian rebels captured Donetsk Airport. Pavel introduces Rick to Ira: the lady used to be secretary at a kindergarten before the war. Now Ira drives tank, collects the wounded and is a terrific sniper.
Ira’s got the bio that so often makes it’s way onto postage stamps to commemorate a long ago war.
And that’s pretty much all Rick has for us.
Unanswered New York Times Ukraine rebel leader’s questions
Although we’re struck by rebel leader Pavel’s questions: “Do we look like terrorists? Do we look like Russian soldiers?”
“There will be loud noises soon,” Pavel says.
“Almost instantly, the company’s tank, parked down the road, barked loudly and the percussion wave rolled up the venetian blinds,” says Rick.
The dispatch echoes the Times Style Book identifying these terrorists as pro-Russia rebels. Which has been Kremlin propaganda’s long standing description of choice for the notorious mafia thugs that have long freely operated in East Ukraine.
Mafia thugs now paid for by both Moscow and Ukraine’s wealthiest oligarch Rinat Akhmetov. It is this very Akhmetov who stands to gain the most from a recognized Donetsk People’s Republic.
Akhmetov sponsors Ukraine rebels under Russia’s direction
Oligarch Rinat Akhmetov is Ukraine’s wealthiest guy.
The back story on Rinat Akhmetov is that it is his money which engineered the election of now deposed president Viktor Yanukovych. With Yanukovych in his pocket, oligarch Akhmetov and his son walked away with 70 percent of federal contracts and free reign over their vast financial and industrial interests.
With Yanukovych’s forced removal from office by the Euromaidan protests, Akhmetov envisions separating Donetsk Oblast from Ukraine in order to maintain his total control over his assets. And avoid any legal consequences from his past dealings and future earnings.
Deposed president Yanukovych he’s fled to Vladimir Putin’s protection at an undisclosed location in Russia. He’s the guy oligarch Akhmetov put in office. And likely busies himself these days as the middle man between Akhmetov and Putin.
The former Ukrainian president envisions a political settlement for East Ukraine enshrining protection for his considerable fortune amassed while in office.
A separated and independent Donetsk would place oligarch Akhmetov’s industrial and financial fortune within a nationalized status he alone controls.
Stated simply, the Donetsk People’s Republic is only about creating a fiefdom for Rinat Akhmetov. It’s only yearning for Mother Russia is for Akhmetov to maintain his status with Russia’s state sponsored oligarchs.
Call it building the People’s Republic of Akhmetov. Using the Soviet Playbook business model for oligarchs. The way it works is the small cadre of Kremlin insiders who control the organs of government they decide which guys own the business and when they don’t. And determine how the businessmen the Kremlin sponsors benefit the party elite.
Moscow’s gain from a Donetsk People’s Republic is the Kremlin’s acquisition of East Ukraine’s industrial base and territorial waters.
Anyway, we coulda used some more backstory to support the Times dispatch from the killing fields.
Like, how many Ukrainian soldiers did the rebel leader murder when he launched the tank attack while talking to the New York Times?
Published February 8, 2015