Russian Military Attacks Surge In Ukraine

Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine (Donbas) have stepped up their attacks on Ukrainian military forces, according to reports from the region. The separatists launched an attack on the eastern city of Avdiyivka, resulting in eight Ukrainian troops killed and 25 wounded. A cease fire was signed two years ago, and remains in effect despite numerous skirmishes between the Russian-backed forces and Ukrainian military. Russian autocrat Vladimir "Vlad the Invader" Putin has visions of a "Greater Russia" that would include part or all of Ukraine and other former Soviet republics (most likely the Baltic states). His invasion and annexation of the Ukrainian area of Crimea in March 2014 resulted in sanctions being placed on Russia by the U.S. and its NATO allies. Sociopath and Putin poodle Donald "Rump" Trump has indicated a willingness to look at lifting the sanctions, again raising concerns about his undisclosed ties to Russia and the gratitude he may feel toward them for their help in the election.

Last Saturday, Rump phoned Putin and discussed restoring more "stable" relations with Russia, including joint actions in Syria and the situation in Ukraine. Whether Rump signaled Putin that his subversive military activities in Ukraine were not of concern to the U.S. remains to be seen, but the new aggressiveness of Putin's forces there is likely no coincidence.