by Stephen Lendman

Last April, Obama declared war on Donbass - using Kiev forces as convenient proxies.

He launched naked aggression weeks after ousting Ukraine's legitimate government - installing putschist Nazi thugs replacing it.

They tolerate no opposition. They imprison or murder anyone challenging their authority.

Donbass freedom fighters reject fascist rule. They want Ukraine governed democratically.

They deserve universal support. All Donbass residents paid dearly for wanting fundamental freedoms.

Their struggle continues - perhaps for years. Fascists in Washington and Kiev don't wage wars to quit.

Nor will Donbass freedom-fighters surrender to their authority. They routed Ukrainian forces.

They'll do it again when Obama orders conflict resumed full-scale. Preparations are readying to do it - at his discretion.

US combat troops are working with Ukrainian forces. NATO planes arrive regularly carrying heavy weapons, munitions and other war supplies.

Expect lots more death and destruction ahead. Sputnik News explained the toll so far after one year of conflict.

Affected residents can explain it best of all. Their suffering and trauma continues daily. They mourn for loved ones lost.

No conflict resolution will bring them back. Nothing can change what happened. The worst may be yet to come.

UN figures claim 6,072 killed - another 15,345 wounded. Independent sources report much higher figures - multiples more than conservative estimates.

Perhaps 100,000 or more have been killed or wounded - many maimed for life.

The Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) estimates 1.5 million internally or externally displaced refugees.

OSCE officials report seven journalists killed, another 170 injured. These are conservative figures. More accurate ones are likely higher.

Donbass is one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists. Kiev forces openly target them. Other times, they're arrested, detained and tortured. Some die in captivity.

In Donetsk, an estimated 9,464 facilities and other structures were destroyed - including:

• 5,302 residential buildings;


• 53 hospitals and other medical facilities;


• 250 schools and pre-schools;


• 13 colleges and universities;


• 17 sports venues;


• 32 cultural institutions;


• 88 commercial enterprises;


• 56 industrial facilities;


• 605 power lines and distribution facilities


• 148 heat supply facilities;


• 30 water supply facilities;


• 2,669 gas supply facilities;


• 53 road and transport infrastructure elements;


• Donetsk airport - turned to rubble; and

In Lugansk, an estimated 8,500 facilities and other structures were destroyed - including:

• 7,899 residential buildings;


• 65 hospitals, clinics and laboratories;


• 3 gas distribution stations;


• 33 heat supply facilities;


• 43 water supply facilities;


• 37 government buildings;


• 97 schools and pre-schools;


• 68 cultural institutions; and


• 77 churches.

Billions of dollars are needed to restore what’s lost. Maybe many billions more before conflict ends.

All the above devastation was non-military related. Even in legitimate wars, international law strictly forbids targeting civilians and non-military related sites.

Doing so constitutes war crimes. Waging naked aggression is the supreme high crime against peace.

It's longstanding US policy - direct with US forces or using proxies like in Syria, Yemen and Donbass.

These and other US wars rage without end - genocidal by any standard.

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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