Russia and Ukraine's mystery tanks
By Jonathan Marcus
A lone T-64 battle tank is shown in Snizhne, Ukraine, with no markings
The Russian government has strenuously denied that any of its tanks crossed the border into Ukraine.
But now NATO has released satellite imagery, linked to existing video material, which appears to give added weight to assertions from the Ukrainian authorities that the tanks used by separatist forces that crossed into its country just a few days ago were indeed supplied by the Russians.
There is no doubt that the mystery tanks were on the road inside Ukraine.
Two of them were seen driving through the town of Makiivka, near Donetsk, and another was seen in Snizhne, further east.
NATO has provided two pictures from open-source video that show the T-64 tanks at the two locations.
Here an alleged T-65 is shown in Makiivka, next to a lorry with a Russian flag
The T-64 is a main battle tank that has been phased out of service in the Russian army, though Nato sources believe that many remain in storage and are still in an operational condition.
The Ukrainian army has similar tanks but its all carry identification signs and are painted in a camouflage pattern - unlike the tanks in the two pictures.
But where might the mystery tanks have come from? The Ukrainian government was quick to point the finger at Russia, and Moscow was equally quick to waive away the allegations.
Now NATO believes that its satellite images provides a clue.Secret evidence
It should be noted that they come from civilian satellites. This is for two reasons: firstly, they can be verified with the satellite operator; and secondly, because getting clearance for the public use of images from the military is very difficult to obtain for fear of giving away capabilities.
A senior NATO officer told me, however, that military satellite material covering the same locations gives added evidence of Russian involvement.
The image NATO has released shows is Russian military staging area near Rostov-on-Don over a period of a couple of weeks (above). The first image, dated 30 May (on the left), shows a Russian army unit in position with large numbers of armoured vehicles but no tanks.
The next image in the centre, dated 6 June, shows that the unit has largely pulled out but a small number of tanks have arrived - eight in number.
By the third image on 11 June, there are 10 tanks gathered there. Some are parked and some are in a training area.
But the most interesting image is the next one - shown below - taken at the Rostov training area on the same day.
This shows three tanks loaded up onto transporters interspersed with other military vehicles. In other words, it looks like a convoy getting ready to go somewhere.
NATO has no doubt that this is the convoy that crossed the border into Ukraine, some of whose vehicles are shown in the videos.
The evidence shown comes from NATO military sources and is not necessarily conclusive. But, despite Russian denials, it is strongly suggestive of the narrative that Nato is setting out.
It should be noted that Russian spokesmen have denied a number of things in regard to operations in Ukraine which have turned out to be untrue.
A senior NATO officer told the BBC, that the images "raise significant questions concerning Russia's role in facilitating instability in eastern Ukraine".
ZIK: 15. June 2014
Russia military fight in Ukraine
The Katiusha (Grad) multiple land-to-land missile system that fired a salvo in Dobropillya, belongs to Russia 18th infantry brigade, military expert Yury Butusov reported June 14.
The salvo was abortive and the missiles went astray, hitting a vegetable warehouse on the outskirts of Dobropillya, he said. Some missiles remained in the launchers.
Government patrols went to the site to reconnoiter. They found a column of vehicles (10 trucks, 2 Grads and APC).
As the terrorist saw they were spotted, they fled the area, leaving the faulty Grad behind.
The terrorists tried to blow up the truck with grenades, setting it on fire.
Government soldiers put out the fire and found documents in the cabin which unquestionably proves that the Grad truck belongs to Russia’s 18th infantry brigade deployed in the Chechen republic. Grad’s CO is Capt. Dmitri Afanasiev.
Ukrainian soldiers handed over the documents to military prosecutors, Espreso.TV says.
Ukrainian News: 15. June 2014
European Council's President Van Rompuy:
Russia Involved In Weaponry Supplies To Separatists In Eastern Ukraine
European Council's President Herman Van Rompuy considers that Russia is involved in weaponry supplies to separatists in eastern Ukraine, he has said.
In particular, he expressed his deep sympathy to the Ukrainian people and Government after the death of 49 people abroad of Il-76 plane of the Armed Forces of Ukraine pranged near the Luhansk airport.
Van Rompuy noted there are no doubts that the Ukrainian Government is obliged and responsible for restoration of order within its borders.
As Ukrainian News earlier reported, on June 14, a total of 49 people were killed on Saturday after downfall of the Armed Forces military transport plane Ilyushin Il-76, shot down by separatists over the airport in Luhansk.
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