Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Latest Breaking News

Showing Original Post only (View all)

bemildred

(90,061 posts)
Mon Jul 7, 2014, 01:37 PM Jul 2014

Ukraine: Donetsk bridges blown up to halt access to rebel-held city [View all]

Source: AP

Three bridges on key roads leading into Donetsk were blown up Monday – an apparent attempt to slow down any possible assault by Ukrainian forces on the country’s main rebel-held city.

Fighters driven out of Slavyansk and other eastern towns by the Ukrainian army had regrouped in Donetsk, a city of one million where pro-Russia separatists have declared independence under the Donetsk People’s Republic. Pavel Gubarev, the region’s self-described governor, had promised “real partisan war around the whole perimeter of Donetsk” before thousands of supporters at a rally Sunday.

It was not exactly clear who blew up the highway and train bridges Monday, but their destruction would most benefit the rebels.

In the village of Novobakhmutivka, where a rail line crosses over a highway out of Donetsk, an 11-wagon cargo train was perched perilously on the collapsed bridge. The road leads toward Slavyansk, a former insurgent stronghold that was recaptured Saturday by Ukrainian troops after intense fighting.

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/ukraine/article19487901/

80 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Also Cuts Them Off From Supply, Sir.... The Magistrate Jul 2014 #1
They seem to be toast, Sir. Apparently they hope to make it expensive. nt bemildred Jul 2014 #4
I Tend To Agree, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #5
If you remember Sir, some time back, I said: bemildred Jul 2014 #6
I Do, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #8
I fear more of this Duckhunter935 Jul 2014 #15
Seems likely, nt bemildred Jul 2014 #21
Why Ukraine Can't Win An All-Out Military Victory, And Shouldn't Try bemildred Jul 2014 #2
I Disagree With Mr. Bremmer, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #7
I would call it a gambit, he's a guy that likes to keep his options open. bemildred Jul 2014 #12
Blockade And slow Constriction Would Be My Course, Sir, Certainly The Magistrate Jul 2014 #13
I agree Duckhunter935 Jul 2014 #16
Conciliatory noises would be helpful too, and letting food in, and so on, like somebody said. bemildred Jul 2014 #24
Yes. If you look at a map, destroying bridges on the rivers entering Donetsk and JDPriestly Jul 2014 #43
Well, it's flat. No natural barriers except the rivers, perhaps some forests, and roads everywhere. bemildred Jul 2014 #64
I am not sure of the pronoun reference of "they" after the comma in this sentence. JDPriestly Jul 2014 #74
The Rebels are a combination of rebellious locals and outsiders come in to help. bemildred Jul 2014 #75
I think Putin dipped his toes in the East without committing himself for a swim. Tommy_Carcetti Jul 2014 #31
But why would the Russian oligarchs want to take Ukraine? JDPriestly Jul 2014 #44
Same reason we invaded Iraq--access to energy deposits. geek tragedy Jul 2014 #45
All that gas, at the cost of losing a certain amount of its trade with Europe, its best JDPriestly Jul 2014 #49
Russia thought it could grab East Ukraine because geek tragedy Jul 2014 #50
Yes. Russia would have to invest a lot and would have to be willing to lose JDPriestly Jul 2014 #62
the gambit was whether he could defend it against Ukraine's military geek tragedy Jul 2014 #63
That Last Is The Point, Sir: It Had To be Done On The Down-Low Or It Could Not Be Done At All The Magistrate Jul 2014 #65
Mr. Putin purchased an option on invading Ukraine. geek tragedy Jul 2014 #77
You could ask the same question about Crimea. Tommy_Carcetti Jul 2014 #46
I disgree with Mr. Bremmer too. bemildred Jul 2014 #52
The 'New Russia' Remark, Sir, Certainly Was A Mistake The Magistrate Jul 2014 #71
It is much easier to make messes than to clean them up. nt bemildred Jul 2014 #72
With Ukraine rebels on the ropes, some Russians ask: Where is Putin? bemildred Jul 2014 #3
Putin is pausing so everyone knows who is ballyhoo Jul 2014 #9
Not Much Of A Reason For A Man To Stay On The Firing Line, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #11
I think he might be "forced" to do something, if it gets bloody enough for long enough. bemildred Jul 2014 #14
Agree 100 per cent. A lot may depend how ballyhoo Jul 2014 #18
Your Hopes Get more And More Ephemeral, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #20
No. Financially, war in Ukraine is a loser for Russia. JDPriestly Jul 2014 #48
Well, it's interesting, Benton D Struckcheon Jul 2014 #10
I hope he chooses the path that protects ballyhoo Jul 2014 #17
China, If Anything, Is Licking Its Chops At The Opportunity Weakened Russia Presents, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #22
Indeed, and Moscow would also have to face an even more humiliating reality: geek tragedy Jul 2014 #78
And Even More Humiliating Than That, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #79
the question is how much the Chinese are willing to pretend geek tragedy Jul 2014 #80
I think it is a mistake to assume Putin planned all this. bemildred Jul 2014 #19
Yeah, I got nothing against that. Benton D Struckcheon Jul 2014 #23
Some of the comments on this string are disturbing . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #25
And When You Started Cheerleading Secessionist Violence, Sir, There Were Human Lives Involved Too The Magistrate Jul 2014 #26
Except for the fact . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #28
Of Course You Are Being Quoted, Sir: Follow The Link The Magistrate Jul 2014 #32
Follow it yourself, and read more carefully . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #68
Thank You For The Laugh, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #69
Have fun, Magi. another_liberal Jul 2014 #70
Perhaps if you were more specific? nt bemildred Jul 2014 #27
I'll leave it for others to judge . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #29
OK. nt bemildred Jul 2014 #30
...but not at all surprising. Union Scribe Jul 2014 #33
Yes . . . another_liberal Jul 2014 #67
The good guys are winning. joshcryer Jul 2014 #38
Good guys? another_liberal Jul 2014 #66
Ukraine tycoon pleads for city’s safety after rebels vow to make stand bemildred Jul 2014 #34
Let Him Buy Out The Shootists, Then, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #36
Ukraine Forces Working to Block Donetsk bemildred Jul 2014 #35
Is It Curtains For Ukraine's Pro-Russia Rebels? Army Moves In To Re-Take Final Eastern Cities bemildred Jul 2014 #37
In some cases it's a good thing for the seccessionist cause. Igel Jul 2014 #39
I think it would be good time for them to leave while they still can. nt bemildred Jul 2014 #40
The Catherina Crowd is scurrying like crazy as well. nt Tommy_Carcetti Jul 2014 #47
I pity them, falling for propaganda so easily. joshcryer Jul 2014 #51
I don't. Benton D Struckcheon Jul 2014 #53
I Tend To Agree, Sir The Magistrate Jul 2014 #55
Reading now. Thx. n/t Benton D Struckcheon Jul 2014 #61
I'll have to assume then that you're in favour dipsydoodle Jul 2014 #58
You may not. Benton D Struckcheon Jul 2014 #60
Putin's silence on Slaviansk signals desire to de-escalate Ukraine crisis bemildred Jul 2014 #41
Ukrainians seek EU asylum as conflict goes on bemildred Jul 2014 #42
Tymoshenko counts on EU assistance in ending war in eastern regions dipsydoodle Jul 2014 #54
Pictures Duckhunter935 Jul 2014 #56
Maybe with a crane. Take a while. bemildred Jul 2014 #57
I agree Duckhunter935 Jul 2014 #59
Another bridge blown up in Donbas dipsydoodle Jul 2014 #73
Ukraine says no more unilateral ceasefires bemildred Jul 2014 #76
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Ukraine: Donetsk bridges ...