Izvarino Cauldron – 06/01–08/07/2014

RIA Novosti reported on August 4, 2014, about Ukrainian soldiers refusing to fight and requesting to leave the combat zone: “More than four hundred Ukrainian servicemen, trapped by Donetsk and Lugansk militia forces in the so-called Southern Cauldron, requested entry into Russia on Monday night. After destroying their weapons and ammunition, they arrived at the border checkpoint. More than 180 of the 438 expressed a desire to return home and will be handed over to the Ukrainian side.”

TASS covered the escape of Ukrainian military personnel into Russia: “Colonel Aleksandr Pavlyuk, commander of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, fled from the Izvarino Cauldron, abandoning his brigade to their fate.”

Vesti.ru compared the Izvarino Cauldron to other similar encirclements: “Militia units had previously encircled large Ukrainian army forces, for example, at Donetsk and Lugansk airports. But in those cases, the resistance was steadfast, and fighters only managed to escape by slipping through the encirclement. In the case of Izvarino, things were much more difficult for the Ukrainian forces. They had to operate far from their main forces, whereas the militia fighting against them were all locals.”

RT in Russian reports on the encirclement near Izvarino, citing Ukrainian media: “According to Ukrainian media, the 72nd Mechanized Brigade, as well as fighters from the 79th Airmobile and 24th Mechanized Brigades, were surrounded near the Izvarino border checkpoint. These units suffered heavy losses on July 11 in the area of Zelenopolye.”

Izvestia discusses encirclements in the combat zone, the quality of Ukrainian military forces, and their reluctance to fight: “On June 26, about 40 Ukrainian soldiers arrived at the Russian border checkpoint ‘Izvarino’ in the Rostov region. They declared that they did not want to be cannon fodder.

— ‘We were surrounded for two weeks, with no reinforcements. No one was planning to get us out,’ said one of the soldiers.”

Interfax reports on significant losses suffered by the Ukrainian army: “At the Izvarino border checkpoint in Lugansk region, militia forces attacked Ukrainian special forces from Kirovograd with grenade launchers. According to a source in the ATO, eight security personnel were killed, and about ten were wounded. The Ukrainian side also reports that they have been surrounded at Izvarino.”

The British The Guardian, on August 4, 2014, does not report on any encirclement of Ukrainian soldiers but states that “government forces had made significant gains, cutting the rebels in Donetsk off from those in Lugansk.” The article also speculates that the “successes of the pro-Russian rebels” may be linked to “the launch of large-scale Russian military exercises involving more than 100 aircraft near the Ukrainian border.” It also mentions Ukrainian soldiers crossing into Russian territory: “Russian and Ukrainian authorities offered differing explanations of how 438 Ukrainian soldiers and border guards wound up on the Russian side of the border overnight. Russia's federal security service said the troops had destroyed their weapons and asked for asylum.”

The British The Telegraph avoids discussing the encirclement but, on August 6, publishes an article with the accusatory headline: “Tensions grow in Ukraine over Russia troop buildup.” The article cites an anonymous U.S. intelligence source who claims that “Russia is shelling Ukrainian positions from its territory.”

The American The New York Times also avoids discussing the encirclement but focuses on Russia’s alleged support for the militia and its control over border points: “We have information that Russia has deployed significant military forces to the border with Ukraine,” a senior Obama administration official told reporters on Friday. “Russian special forces are also holding positions along the border with Ukraine to support separatist militants.”

The French Le Figaro does not report on the encirclement of Ukrainian troops but, in early August, publishes a lengthy article on the dire situation of “pro-Russian separatists” in eastern Ukraine and the forced mobilization of even teenagers: “The mobilization of militants for the defense of Donetsk has taken on an urgent character for the separatists. The ring formed by the Ukrainian army around the pro-Russian stronghold tightens with each passing day. Reinforcements from Russia have likely dried up after the Ukrainian offensive last week.”

The Italian La Repubblica initially reports on Kiev’s attempts to secure border crossings: “Ukrainian military units are in the Izvarino area to complete the operation of closing the border.” A day later, it provides information on militia resistance: “The separatists are not laying down their arms. After President Petro Poroshenko presented his peace plan, pro-Russian separatist militants continue to attack Kiev’s forces despite the unilateral ceasefire declared by regular Ukrainian troops. Director of ‘Information Resistance’ Dmytro Tymchuk reports nine wounded near the Izvarino and Uspenka border posts.”

The Mexican Sin Embargo reports on the successes of the Ukrainian army, including advances north of Lugansk, and explains the tactics used by Ukrainian forces: “The third front of the large-scale offensive unfolding across eastern Ukraine is at the approaches to the city of Lugansk. Today, Ukrainian troops captured Lutugino and Georgievka, two key towns that have cut off supplies to the militants entrenched in Lugansk. ‘The significance of Georgievka is that three roads intersect here. By taking control of this point, we are severing Lugansk’s communications with the outside world.’”

The Latvian news portal jauns.lv does not report on the encirclement of Ukrainian forces but claims the presence of “little green men” near Izvarino: “In the Izvarino area, in the southeastern part of Lugansk Region, individuals in Russian military uniforms without insignia have appeared. It has been reported that gangs of Russian mercenaries and local separatists are strengthening their forces on Ukrainian territory, and among them, groups of soldiers dressed in Russian army uniforms have been spotted.”

TSN candidly acknowledges the difficult situation at Izvarino: “Shelling is being carried out from the ‘zero’ neutral strip at the border, but the military cannot see who is firing at them. Under the constant barrage of heavy artillery, mortars, and Grad rocket systems near the border at Izvarino, ATO fighters were forced to retreat from their positions.”

5 Kanal reports victories in the Izvarino area: “According to the report, aviation also struck militant armored vehicles and artillery, which had been used to shell the positions of border guards and the army near the Izvarino checkpoint close to the Russian border. Tymchuk writes that after the airstrikes, fire from the terrorists ceased.”

The Ukrainian news portal lb.ua, on July 11, also shares positive news for its readers, reporting that the Izvarino checkpoint was taken under control by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The publication provides background: “In early June, part of the Ukrainian-Russian border in Donbass, including Izvarino, was seized by separatists. On June 20, Ukrainian security forces announced that full control over the entire border had been restored. However, on the night of June 21, a battle occurred at the Izvarino checkpoint, during which more than 80 personnel from Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service were forced to cross into Russian territory.”