Why is a Russian investment consultant the Prime Minister of the Donetsk People's Republic?

[muriel_volestrangler]

Mysterious Russian Mr Fixit heads Ukraine rebel state

A mysterious "consultant" from Moscow who helped steer through Russia's annexation of Crimea has been appointed prime minister of the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine.
...
"So when I finished the work in Crimea I automatically... came here to work in southeast Ukraine."

Authoritative Russian daily newspaper Vedomosti reported Friday that Borodai worked as an advisor to recently-appointed Crimea governor Sergei Aksyonov, who led the region's drive to join Russia.

According to Vedomosti, Borodai -- a graduate of the philosophy department of prestigious Moscow State University -- has a consultancy in Moscow and worked at a major investment fund.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/mysterious-russian-mr-fixit-heads-ukraine-rebel-state-193206282.html#zipFVSK

Still, I'm sure everyone else in their self-proclaimed government is a genuine local. I mean, they wouldn't put a foreigner in charge of the armed "self-defence forces", would they? Because that would cast doubt on it being "self-defence"...

Elusive Muscovite with three names takes control of Ukraine rebels

In a leaflet distributed this week in the rebel Donetsk region, "Colonel Igor Strelkov" assumed command of all rebel forces there and called for Russian army help to ward off what he calls the threat from the Kiev "junta" and from NATO.
...
The separatists have said little about his identity. He is known to the fighters he commands as "Strelok" - "the Shooter". Kiev says he is actually an agent of Russia's GRU military intelligence. Residents of a Moscow suburb say he is a mild-mannered neighbor they have known for years as Igor Girkin.
...
Asked about his background, separatist spokeswoman Stella Khorosheva said Strelkov was an ethnic Russian and a veteran of the Soviet and Russian armies, but gave no other details of his origins or citizenship.

"His aides do not know if he has any other names," she said. "He has rich military experience and holds the rank of colonel." He was not available to interview, she added.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/15/us-ukraine-crisis-commander-insight-idUSBREA4E06E20140515

But, of course, 2 Muscovites holding top positions in the "People's Republic" has nothing to do with any outside influence at all. They may have only been there for a couple of months at the most, after a productive gig in Crimea, where they both were, of course, totally local, but their hearts are surely now in the wondrous people's republic.

[pampango]

1. 3 possibilities: 1. Foreign involvement CAN be a GOOD thing (if not from the US). 2. Donetsk

is (should be, will be?) a part of Russia so having Russian in leadership position is not really 'foreign involvement'. 3. Russian fascists are better than Ukrainian fascists.

Take your pick.

[bemildred]

2. He wants to run it like a business. nt