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| Memorial by Families and Nations of Victims of MH17 |
Photo Credit: voanews.com
Christo Grozev and others report on the latest release by the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of transcripts of phone conversations between field commanders in eastern Ukraine (some Ukrainian and some Russia) that establish the close command by Russian authorities of the fighting in eastern Ukraine and the downing of Flight MH17.
Grozev's Twitter chain is worth reading to grasp the absolute control of Russia authorities of the fighting and political developments in eastern Ukraine, including the direct involvement, as shown by the transcripts, of President Putin's aide, Vladislav Surkov, who is widely held to be responsible for control of Russia's artificial mini-states in Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, and suggest the direct involvement of Sergey Shoigu (or Shoygu), Russian Minister of Defense (who is rumored to be a possible successor to Putin when he completes his term as president) . The involvement of Surkov and Shoigu could not have taken place without the direct involvement of Putin.
The significance of the release of transcripts can not be understated. I had previously written that, despite Russia’s categorical denial of the facts, the well-advanced JIT investigation is on the verge of naming the Russian military officers and their political superiors who are responsible for downing MH17. In addition to bringing justice for the victims of MH17 and their families, Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine will be incontrovertible...There will then be more significant indictments close to or up to the Kremlin, as well as the real possibility of additional sanctions. Today, JIT has taken a step closer to that end.
I had also written that future Russia will stand or fall on its ability to act honestly toward its own people and the international community. It cannot do that if it is engaged in shadow conflicts with neighboring, independent countries, as well as far-flung conflicts in Syria and elsewhere, where it willfully and purposefully violates human and state rights, refuses to be held accountable, and carries out extensive disinformation campaigns built on deliberate fabrications and lies. Russian civil society pays a high social and economic price for its government's crimes and will until the government's behavior changes.
Photo Credit: infonapalm.org
