by Stephen Lendman

August 24 marks Ukraine's 23rd Independence Day since first commemorated on July 16, 1991.

An August 24, 1991 parliamentary Ukraine Declaration of Independence Act created an independent state.

On August 26, 1991, monuments of communist heroes were removed from public places. October Revolution Square was renamed Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square).

Since 1992, Independence Day is celebrated on August 24. Obama's new friends orchestrated events this year.

They're putschist, racist, xenophobic, ultranationalist, anti-Semitic, neo-Nazi-infested fascists. They control things.

They include a rogue's gallery of societal misfits. They have no legitimacy whatever.

Washington elevated them to power. Ukraine's democratically elected government was ousted. Mob rule replaced it.

War without mercy on Southeastern Ukrainians followed. So did mass killing and destruction. Washington supports and encourages it.

Hardline rule prevails. Democratic values are nowhere in sight. They're not tolerated. More on the struggle for Ukraine's soul below.

On August 22, John Kerry congratulated his fascist allies. He did so on their Independence Day anniversary. One Big Lie followed others, saying:

"During my most recent visit to Ukraine, I was inspired by the remarkable strength of the Ukrainian people."

"I walked down Institutska Street and paid my respects to the heroes of the Euromaidan."

"I saw the barricades, the burned tires, and the bullet holes in the street lamps."

"But I also saw the flowers and the photographs of the people who gave their lives for Ukraine."

"I spoke to the men and women of Kyiv who told me of their commitment to a more prosperous, peaceful future for all Ukrainians."

"Since your independence, and especially over the past tumultuous year, the people of the United States have stood proudly with the people of Ukraine as you seek a more peaceful, democratic, prosperous, and European future."

"Whether in Kyiv, Crimea, or Donetsk, the United States is firmly determined to support the right of all Ukrainian people to choose your own path."

Fact: Washington elevated neo-Nazi-infested fascists to power.

Fact: They have no legitimacy whatever.

Fact: Ukrainians have no reason to celebrate.

Fact: So-called Euromaidan "heroes" are cold-blooded killers.

Fact: On February 22, 2014, Ukrainian independence was lost.

Fact: Washington's orchestrated coup bears full responsibility.

Fact: It deprived Ukrainians from "choo(sing) (their) own path."

Fact: Fascist regimes don't operate this way.

Fact: They maintain control.

Fact: They tolerate no opposition.

Fact: Ukrainians were duped to believe otherwise.

It remains to be seen how they'll react going forward. Southeastern Ukrainians reject fascist rule. They want real democracy.

They struggle daily for it. They're modern-day heroes. They face formidable odds.They deserve universal support.

On August 24, Itar Tass headlined "Donetsk Republic shows Ukrainian army's armor destroyed by militia."

Weapons displayed incluinfantry and airborne combat vehicles. Thousands turned out to see them.

The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) press office announced a 3PM Moscow time "anti-fascist meeting." At issue was discussing "the republic's struggle against Ukrainian fascism."

On Sunday, Ukraine's illegitimate oligarch president Petro Poroshenko reviewed columns of troops marching in Kiev. He said they'll be "dispatched straight to the area of combat operations" in the Southeast.

DPR freedom fighters reported entrapping large numbers of Ukrainian forces.

Affected units include the 8th army corps, 28th and 30th motor rifle brigades, 95th Ukrainian air mobile brigade, and punitive battalions Aidar, Donbass and Shakhtersk.

According to self-defense forces headquarters:

"Around five thousand servicemen with weapons and around 50 tanks, more than 200 combat armored vehicles, about 50 multiple launch rocket systems Grad and Uragan, more than 100 artillery guns and mortars were blocked in the trap."

"The DPR army (succeeded by) giv(ing) up action by small units and shift(ing) to military action by full-fledged formations and army units which are provided with full fire support."

Three infantry brigades were formed. A voluntary regiment of former Ukrainian servicemen joined them. Donbass coal miners are involved.

According to DPR headquarters:

"For the last two days, two tank battalions, three multiple launch rocket system battalions, two self-propelled howitzer battalions, three battalions of cannon artillery guns of different calibers and eight mortar batteries have been formed using military hardware and weaponry captured by militias in a counteroffensive operation."

DRP freedom fighters said they blocked a large "punitive force" near Alekseevskoe, Blagodatnoe, Voykovsky, Kuteinikovo, Ulyanovskoe and Uspenka.

Ukraine's National Security Council (SNBO) denied DPR claims. Kiev wanted freedom fighters routed before Independence Day 2014.

It missed its deadline and then some. Since Friday, around 2,000 heavily armed Kiev troops are being engaged near Olenovskoye.

Self-defense forces say they "captured 7 military supply depots with large quantities of armaments, munitions, aids and appliances, food rations and property of the citizens expropriated by the National Guards during mopping-up operations, including all-terrain vehicles."

"From now on, we intend to utterly annihilate enemy forces trapped near Olenovskoe and the communities of Kuteinikovo-Blagodatnoye-Uspenskoye."

DPR forces reported liberated Agronomicheskoe, Klenovka, and Stroitel. On Sunday, they displayed captured weapons.

Pororshenko earlier boasted about routing Southeastern anti-government forces straightaway.

Now he warns of a long struggle against what he calls "insidious treachery."

"The events of the last months have pushed us into a real war, albeit an undeclared one," he said.

"Over the last six months, a new Ukrainian army has been born in heavy and exhausting fighting."

Many in it are forced to serve involuntarily. Many others reject fighting Ukrainian citizens.

Some defect. Overall morale is low. Ukrainian soldiers are notoriously underpaid, poorly fed and clothed, as well as deplorably treated.

Most prefer being home. Some seek refuge in Russia. Many young men cross over to avoid military service altogether.

They want no part of Kiev's war. It continues unabated. So does the struggle for Ukraine's soul. It remains up for grabs.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distingu