Document declaring united army for Novorossiya may be bogus
2014-09-17
Posted by: badanov
By Chris Covert
Rantburg.com
A signed protocol declaring a new separatist army command which appeared on the internet in the last 24 hours may be a forgery.
The document which declares a unitary army command for Donetsk and Lugansk, both breakaway republics now in a civil war with Ukraina, contains a declaration that army commands in both republics should now be merged into one unitary command.
One of the problems with the document is that three of the five signatories say they have never heard of the general said to be in command of the new army structure. The rest have yet to comment.
Another problem is that the document goes against the principles of confederation that both republics have declared. The original of the document has not been found. Three of the signatures appear to be by the same man, as with the other two.
According to a news report which appeared in an online edition of RIA Novosti, speaker of Donetsk Parliament speaker, Oleg Tsarev said the protocol was "wrong in terms of timing and in terms of destination," he said, according to a quote printed in the new outlet. Donetsk is not party to the agreement.
"We should not take certain decisions contrary to the opinion of their peers and colleagues," said Tsarev.
Apparently the mystery man surrounding the controversy, Lieutenant-General Ivan Korsun Anatolevicha, despite his mid flag rank is unknown to anyone in either republic.
Former Donetsk Minister of Defense GRU Colonel Igor Strelkov has protested the document saying he did not know General Korsun. Strelkov also suggested on his B Kontacte (Russian Facebook) page that the document may be the work of local warlords.
The Russian military blogger Colonel Cassad said Tuesday that only two generals in both republics exist, generals Strelkov Petrovkii and Bezler. Bezler commands forces now engaged in fighting northeast of Donetsk.
Another separatist field commander, who is supposed to have signed the document, Alexander Sergeevich Khodakovsky, said he did not know Lt. General Korsun.
Another Donetsk field commander, Alexei Brain issued a statement published in Russkaya Vesna Russian language news outlet, warning about decisions taken without leaving the comfort of the office to consult with constituents.
Despite that, English language reports have already emerged which say the general wants to "impose a harsh Soviet style system" in both republics.
Donetsk is no stranger to political intrigue. During the negotiations for the ceasefire in southeastern Ukraina, a top official attempted a coup over the officers in Minsk.
Vladimir Akinfeev was quickly detained and is presumably facing trial.
Chris Covert writes about foreign military issues for Rantburg.com. He can be reached at grurkka@gmail.com
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