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In reply to the discussion: Putin Tells Obama Russia Will Act In Case of Ukraine Violence [View all]Igel
(35,300 posts)And Berkutovtsy on the other. The Berkutovtsy number about 4000 and all the heavy lifting on the Maidan and other places were done by them. They're not military. They're not police. They're almost all Russian speakers and were loyal to Yanukovich.
The snipers, those who abducted and tortured Maidanovtsy, they were Berkut. They were disbanded.
They have already been fast-tracked for Russian passports. And rumors are that many fled to Russia and welcomed as Russians. Those who didn't were allegedly called to the Crimea and are suspected to be many of the unidentifiably uniformed quasi-insurgents.
That's loyalty. And while the Russian speakers are demanding that their views be taken into account, that was really the call from the Maidan for a few months when only Russian views were judged to have any real importance. They were willing to rule the roost unimpeded; but when not in charge, they demand an equal voice. Or they'll pick up their ball and join their fellow countrymen, apparently.
And it's the ethnic Ukrainians who are the ultranationalists?