What was loudly called the “anti-terrorist operation” in Sloviansk today, in fact was not so. No counter-terrorist measures, unified in their purpose and design, took place. “Special forces” demonstrated a reconnaissance in place of combat that is worthy of severe criticism.

The main problem today is the lack of control over the structural units of local law enforcement.

Previously, we, the Information Resistance group, determined that 30% of the employees of the Interior Ministry in Donetsk oblast [region] were loyal to the authorities (respectively, 70% were saboteurs acting on the side of extremists). At the moment, we have concluded that our estimates of law enforcement officers loyal to the authorities have been overstated.

Simply put, there is large-scale sabotage and treason in the midst of local law enforcement. Today, we received information that some of the separatist group leaders gave orders to their subordinates not to shoot at local police – they said, those are “theirs.”

According to our data, in the “cultivation” of Ukrainian policemen, Russian intelligence agents and extremists operate mainly around the fact that a Ukrainian policeman gets $300 a month, whereas a regular police officer in the neighboring Rostov oblast of the Russian Federation receives $1,200. And this is what causes a traitors’ desire to become “part of Russia.”

The bases and units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine remain the most loyal to the Ukrainian authorities. They will also be involved in anti-terrorist operations. However, according to the Law of Ukraine “On Combating Terrorism,” their application and powers during such operations are limited.

Thus, the volunteer recruitment into newly formed regional divisions, recently announced by the leadership of the Interior Ministry to oppose the extremists, seems to be the only way out.

Unfortunately, there is no time left for testing the coherence of these units. All that’s left to rely on is the experience of the reserve troops, who are supposed to make up the backbone of the units. And also the fact that the staff officers will be serving as their leadership.

In Dnepropetrovsk, local patriots in close cooperation with city authorities have created a regiment of self-defense to protect the city against intrusion by extremist groups. The regiment consists of 15 sotnyas [batallions], and currently controls 9 checkpoints at the entrances to the city. Local police “participation” in this activity of local citizens came down to the fact that police gathered with commanders explanatory notes about how to create checkpoints. After this, their “cooperation” was over.

At the same time, the anti-terrorist operation has just begun. Extremists will be given the ultimatum to lay down their arms by Monday morning. We are expecting the beginning of some major events tomorrow.

Dmitry Tymchuk, Coordinator, Information Resistance

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine