Ukrainian separatist leader pretty much admits rebels used Russian missile on MH17

[geek tragedy]

Remember how the Russians INSISTED that only Ukraine's government had Buk missile systems that were working in the area?

Turns out, that lie was too much even for the only Ukrainian-born separatist commander in the area. While still finding a way to blame Ukraine's government, he admits:

1) Rebels had the missiles
2) rebels probably got the missile from Russia
2) Rebels probably shot the plane down
3) rebels probably sent the missile back to Russia to conceal proof of their involvement

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/23/us-ukraine-crisis-commander-exclusive-idUSKBN0FS1V920140723

In an interview with Reuters, Alexander Khodakovsky, commander of the Vostok Battalion, acknowledged for the first time since the airliner was brought down in eastern Ukraine on Thursday that the rebels did possess the BUK missile system.

...

"I knew that a BUK came from Luhansk. At the time I was told that a BUK from Luhansk was coming under the flag of the LNR," he said, referring to the Luhansk People’s Republic, the main rebel group operating in Luhansk, one of two rebel provinces along with Donetsk, the province where the crash took place.

"That BUK I know about. I heard about it. I think they sent it back. Because I found out about it at exactly the moment that I found out that this tragedy had taken place. They probably sent it back in order to remove proof of its presence," Khodakovsky told Reuters on Tuesday.

...

"They knew that this BUK existed; that the BUK was heading for Snezhnoye," he said, referring to a village 10 km (six miles) west of the crash site. "They knew that it would be deployed there, and provoked the use of this BUK by starting an air strike on a target they didn’t need, that their planes hadn’t touched for a week."

Why go against Moscow and the Russian-born militiamen? A combination of factionalism and just maybe conscience.

Khodakovsky is a former head of the "Alpha" anti-terrorism unit of the security service in Donetsk, and one of the few major rebel commanders in Donetsk who actually hails from Ukraine rather than Russia.

There has been friction in the past between him and rebel leaders from outside the region, such as Igor Strelkov, the Muscovite who has declared himself commander of all rebel forces in Donetsk province.

...

He added: "I am an interested party. I am a ‘terrorist’, a ‘separatist’, a volunteer ... In any event, I am required to promote the side I represent, even if I might think otherwise, say otherwise or have an alternative view. This causes real discomfort to my soul."

sufrommich and bosonic
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014853729
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014853730

[Spazito]

1. Interesting, it looks like there is a splintering beginning to occur...

between the Russian proxies and Ukrainian separatists. A power struggle no doubt.

[geek tragedy]

2. With the actual Ukrainian citizens saying "yeah, that was real nice

but you should be going now."

[Spazito]

4. Yep, the question I have is will a 'war' between the Ukrainian separatists and the Russian...

proxies break out and what role will Putin play if that happens. Will he pull his proxies or will he stop arming the Ukrainian separatists while continuing to arm/supply his proxies?

[geek tragedy]

5. The deal is for guys like this to come to the negotiating table

to cut a deal that protects ethnic Russians, and for Putin's goons to go back to their own damn country.

[Spazito]

7. Putin would have to agree to continue to arm and supply the Ukrainian separatists while...

no longer having control. I don't see him doing that, control is what he is all about, imo.

[William769]

3. The truth is finally comming out.

[geek tragedy]

14. indeed, this guy has a lot more integrity and honesty

than a lot of people who pretend to "just want the facts" in certain quarters.

[JimDandy]

6. A human with a conscience...who still must do his job.

I feel for him.

[Tarheel_Dem]

8. "I am an interested party. I am a ‘terrorist’, a ‘separatist’, a volunteer" & now he's a murderous..

thug to boot. Europe is pissed, and rightfully so.

[geek tragedy]

9. I dunno, it seems his group was not involved with the plane, and

he really does not want to be associated with those who done the deed.

[Tarheel_Dem]

10. I'm sorry, but I find it difficult to separate one asshole from another in this situation. I hope..

they tear each other apart, and I hope to hell that Kiev gets a grip on the East, and soon.

[geek tragedy]

11. things are always more complicated in messy in that neighborhood

than one would expect.

in the east, there are ethnic Russians who were born in Ukraine who have some beef with the people in the west. concerns may be legit, may be paranoid nonsense. these people can be negotiated with

in the east, there are also guys dispatched from Russia proper, looking to just fuck shit up or to consciously help Russia expand its borders

the latter group need to be sent scurrying across the border, or liquidated, or extradited, or some combination thereof

[Tarheel_Dem]

12. "the latter group need to be sent scurrying across the border, or liquidated, or extradited"

With this, I heartily agree. Which is why, the world can't miss this opportunity to put the pressure on Putin to stop it. He's the only one who can IMHO.

[geek tragedy]

13. that will happen a lot quicker if they splinter

which would certainly be facilitated by entering negotiations and a cease fire.