Donbass is preparing to punch Poroshenko in the teeth

Yuri Kovalchuk, participant in the defense of Kramatorsk and the battles for Donetsk airport

Changes in the life of the armed forces of the LPR and DPR, called the people's militia for the sake of Minsk, were expected at the end of August. They predicted large-scale inspections, personnel rotation and a total audit. The tragic death of the head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko, became the reason for even more scrupulous checks than expected.

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The changes were by no means limited to the liquidation of the DPR Ministry of Defense, although the very fact of the final subordination of the armed formations to the 1st Army Corps (or, alternatively, the Ministry of Internal Affairs) is important. Without strict centralization, armed formations lose their combat effectiveness, and sometimes even begin to work for the interests of individuals, instead of the interests of the republics.

Yes, the next exacerbation, scheduled for September 14, once again did not take place. However, the situation on the demarcation line continues to remain tense. The Armed Forces of Ukraine continues to gradually seize the “gray zone”, moving towards Dokuchaevsk in the DPR, towards Pervomaisk, regularly making forays in the direction of the Yasinovatsky checkpoint, Gorlovka, etc. If the Poroshenko government decides to try to increase its failed rating thanks to a small victorious war before the elections, 2019, the republics will need every bayonet. Unfortunately, there are not enough people in the people's militia - not everyone likes serving in a state of “neither peace nor war”; many are deterred by the shortcomings of the emerging armed forces.

The situation is the opposite in 2014: at the beginning of hostilities, the number of highly motivated fighters ready for strict discipline exceeded the republics’ ability to arm militias. Now the army has an unprecedentedly good supply of weapons - most units have enough equipment, ammunition, and small arms. But experienced and disciplined fighters, alas, increasingly prefer civilian life. At least until large-scale hostilities begin.

Apparently, at the moment, the armed forces of Novorossiya are working on mistakes, which is primarily expressed in working with the officers. There are already known cases of arrests of fairly high-ranking military personnel. Of course, this activity is carried out without unnecessary fuss, without demonstrative vices and high-profile trials. Yes, they are not needed - it is much more important to rectify the situation.

As part of the verification, on September 24-25, the republics hosted joint exercises of the LPR and DPR, which were called the largest during the existence of the republics. Air defense forces, cannon and rocket artillery and other units took part in the exercises. The “review” should show the degree of combat readiness of the people’s militia of Novorossiya, the presence and condition of military equipment.

However, the representativeness of the exercises is a controversial issue. Moreover, they have been carried out before. Much more important is the practical result, which would make service in the VSN more attractive. At a minimum, there should finally be clarity on the issue of paying compensation to the wounded and the families of the dead. Instead of the promised amounts with many zeros, fighters often receive pennies; the families of the victims are paid benefits in the amount of 3,2 thousand rubles.

Sometimes, according to the military, the dead and seriously wounded are fired retroactively to save the budget. It happens that they are discharged not completely cured. It often happens that soldiers have to purchase equipment with their own money - for example, the notorious toiletries. There are many complaints about excesses with drill and “regulations”.

We can only hope that working on mistakes will lead to positive changes. The shaky truce can end at any moment, and then the issue of the quantity and quality of military equipment can be nullified by the quantity and quality of personnel.

Ukraine, contrary to numerous forecasts, is not going to fall apart in the near future, so establishing order and forming effective armed forces is a matter of survival.