by Stephen Lendman

Throughout months of conflict, Washington covertly supplied Kiev's military with lethal weapons. So did various EU countries.

Reports indicate new supplies coming. More on this below. Donbas self-defense forces keep battering Kiev's military. Supported by Western mercenaries and US forces.

Fort Russ reports "panic in Debaltsevo." Kiev parliament deputy Taras Pastukh involved in fighting issued the following statement:

"Greetings from the still-Ukrainian Debaltsevo. We just repelled an attack on our base camp."

"Earlier it could barely be reached by artillery, but today enemy infantry had arrived. The National Guard had left the city, thus leaving us open to attack."

"All blocking positions report constant shelling and tank attacks. We never received any reinforcement. It went to the CTO zone, but never went where it was needed."

“We are being abandoned here, while at the same time others are simply running away."

"I ask for your help. Tell everyone you can about the critical situation here…I could not believe (rebels) would come at us with such force…"

"(T)his is genuine betrayal of the country by the entire command, including our so-called 'president.' "

On Sunday, 500 Ukrainian Volunteer Soldier National Assembly fighters back from Donbas demonstrated in Kiev, chanting:

"We call on all commanders to rise up and start overthrowing the government. The battalion brotherhood is starting a national tribunal."

Militants complained about lack of financing and weapons. They want martial law declared. Security services and defense leadership changes.

Legal immunity for parliament members and judges lifted. Illegitimate president Petro Poroshenko impeached and replaced.

Days earlier, another demonstration demanded illegitimate prime minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk be removed. Chants included "Reform or bullet to the head…(O)ur patience is running out."

Rebels captured Uglegorsk. A Ukrainian army stronghold used for communications and supply. About 10 km from thousands of Ukrainian soldiers trapped in Debaltsevo.

Donetsk People's Republic Prime Minister Alexander Zakharchencko issued an ultimatum saying:

"Guys, my proposal is to lay down arms and surrender. You’re fighting the wrong people."

"You have the only chance to save your lives. Surrender and you will live. I promise that all of you will return home afterwards."

Kiev forces continue sustaining heavy losses. A Cyber Berkut hacktivist web site reported Ukraine's security service prohibiting hospitals from revealing information on battlefield casualties.

Kiev's most recent mobilization reflects desperation. Thousands of Ukrainian soldiers are deserting. Many seek refuge in Russia.

Many thousands more refuse to show up for conscription. They want no part of fighting their own citizens. Or be cannon fodder for Kiev.

The reliable Colonel Cassad web site reports Debaltsevo junta forces mostly surrounded.

Heavy fighting continues. The Saker reported good and bad news. Junta forces appear "completely unable to mount any effective offensive."

Not "a single tactical success" achieved. Rebels are clearly stronger. "(T)hey are generally prevailing."

But lack "the kind of superiority to achieve an operational breakthrough." At least so far.

Thousands of trapped junta forces have a choice. Surrender or die. "(T)ime is definitely not on the junta's side…(N)ot politically, not economically and not militarily," said The Saker.

Things aren't going the way Washington planned. Kiev's military supported by US and EU funding, weapons, training and direction was thought easily able to defeat Donbas rebels.

Instead they've been routed. Kiev is losing the war. Washington and rogue EU partners appear desperate.

Everything done so far failed. At the same time, Kiev's junta plans escalated war. Obama promised more heavy weapons and other aid.

According to The New York Times:

"(A)fter a series of striking reversals that Ukraine's forces have suffered in recent weeks, the Obama administration is taking a fresh look at the question of military aid."

Code language for supplying greater amounts of heavy weapons than already. Likely more US forces on the ground. Greater Pentagon involvement in directing combat operations.

Perhaps greater numbers of US recruited paramilitaries like Blackwater USA (now Academi).

Russia's Ren TV reports proof of EU mercenaries fighting for Kiev in Donbas. Including British, Italian, Polish and Swedish nationals.

Disguised as "security or consulting agencies." Ideologically hard-right ultranationalists.

Polish ultra right group head Falanga Bartosz Bekier said "(m)any Poles are fighting on Kiev's side in this conflict, it's true."

"They go to Ukraine to join volunteer corps as private individuals. But Poland's official authorities will never confirm this fact."

Italian mercenary Francesco Falkone said "(i)n late August, we were paid about $300. For all previous months. Now…they are paying about $200 a month, like (for) local policem(en)."

John Kerry plans visiting Kiev this week. He, Joint Chiefs Chairman General Martin Dempsey, Vice Joint Chiefs Chairman Admiral James Winnefeld Jr, NATO commander General Philip Breedlove, and outgoing Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel support sending more weapons.

Stop NATO reports rogue EU nations intending more military aid. Member countries began supplying Kiev with weapons last summer.

Then Ukrainian defense minister Valeriy Heletey confirmed it short of details on weapons supplied and countries involved.

"I have no right to disclose any specific country we reached agreement with," he said.

"But the fact is that those weapons are already on the way to us. That's absolutely true. I can officially tell you."

Expect lots more from Washington and EU nations. Poland's Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak indicated "no obstacles" to selling weapons to Ukraine.

So far, Washington's Ukrainian strategy reflects a black hole of countless billions of dollars wasted.

Neo-Nazi thugs run things. Public anger against Poroshenko's regime grows. Rebels clearly hold the upper hand in Donbas fighting.

Kiev's military is in disarray. Fort Russ reported rebel forces able to breach well fortified Kiev military positions "in a matter of hours."

In contrast, Ukraine's military is unable to "demonstrate an ability to seize a defended position with a rapid ground assault."

"(O)ne gets the impression that (rebel forces are) toying with its enemy…Ukrainian troops are being ground to bits by a combination of lightning (rebel) assaults…futile counterattacks (and heavy) artillery fire."

"(M)any components of the ramshackle Ukrainian military (regular army, National Guard, volunteer battalions, MVD, the Right Sector battalions which don't seem to recognize any authority, etc., etc., etc.) are starting to look askance at one another, suspecting each other of, if not treason, then at least not pulling their weight."

Given how badly things are going combined with growing popular discontent, Ukraine's survival in its present form may be very much up for grabs.

Washington's Ukraine gambit failed. At least so far. Whether more heavy weapons combined with greater US involvement on the ground can change things remains to be seen.

US post-9/11 direct and proxy wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia and Ukraine reflect one failure after another.

Impeding Washington's imperial ambitions. Hopefully heading toward undermining them altogether. The only chance for world peace.

A Final Comment

Transparency International (TI) calls Ukraine Europe's most corrupt country. A year after Maidan, it remains so.

It ranks among the world's most corrupt countries. "Despite 'the facade change,' Ukraine continues treading water," said TI.

Newly adopted anti-corruption laws last October did nothing to change things. Ukraine's military is affected.

Hundreds of millions of dollars of supplies and equipment are stolen. High-ranking officers are involved.

Ukraine's neo-Nazi Right Sector contributes enormously to Kiev's dirty war on Donbas. The anti-regime CyberBerkut hacking group accused RS leader Dmitry Yarosh of "economic crimes," saying:

"We are publishing documents that expose the criminal activities of the head of Ukrainian neo-Nazis, which confirm multiple incidences of extortion - the illegal and cynical seizure of properties and businesses belonging to Ukrainian citizens by Yarosh and his associates."

"The stolen money is then taken out of the country through fronts and deposited in offshore accounts."

"Now everyone will know that Yarosh and his band of neo-Nazis are just using politics as a cover for their criminal activities and personal enrichment at the expense of ordinary Ukrainians."

Yarosh is a parliamentary deputy. He's on Interpol's wanted list on charges of inciting terrorism.

He was involved in Maidan violence toppling Viktor Yanukovych. His thugs murdered hundreds last May in Odessa. He's likely responsible for many other atrocities.

He's like others in high places in Kiev's government and military. Responsible for enormous corruption.

Perhaps worse than pre-Maidan. Obama's new friends are neo-Nazi criminals. US tax dollars support them.

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

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

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

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

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