Russian generals fighting in Donbas

KYIV – The Security Service of Ukraine (known by the Ukrainian-based acronym SBU) has prepared a dossier laying out evidence for “Russian aggression against Ukraine.” The report alleges there are some 9,000 Russian troops deployed in Ukraine, forming 15 battalion tactical groups. The force includes about 200 tanks, more than 500 armored fighting vehicles, and some 150 artillery systems, according to the dossier. The SBU also identified by name five Russian generals who it says are playing leading roles in commanding and coordinating the military forces of the separatists in eastern Ukraine. Speaking to Bloomberg (http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-07-02/ukraine-says-russian-generals-lead-separatists), Mark Galeotti, a New York University professor and specialist in Russian security services, said that by “embedding their senior officers,” the Russians are solidifying control over the separatist portions of Ukraine. “Somewhere in Moscow they have made the decision this will be a long-term frozen conflict,” Prof. Galeotti told Bloomberg. Russia has consistently denied any military involvement in the conflict there. The six officers who have been implicated are all major generals: Oleg Tsekov, Valery Solodchuk, Sergei Kuzovlev, Aleksei Zavizion and Roman Shadrin. (RFE/RL)