Donetsk Creates an Independent Government: Russian Roulette

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On the second day of the self-styled People's Republic of Donetsk's existence, people gathered in the Regional Administration Building to discuss their new government and make plans for the future. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky attended the meeting where things got a bit heated, and later interviewed Serhiy Taruta, the current governor of the Donetsk region. Taruta argued that those who declared independence from Ukraine have no authority to do so and are not supported by most residents of Donetsk. There's still about a month left before their supposed referendum, and the future of Donetsk is uncertain.
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[@franklerch1012]

hard to imagine now but there was a time when this kind of real journalism was standard in the main media channels. now these reports feel like precious historical documents

[@billsmoke4919]

I'd archive these

[@sunnymitra6372]

@@billsmoke4919 It's Interesting to know why Russia annexed these regions from Ukraine because these are Russian Speaking people and they will eventually support Russia.

[@iidacerii711]

@@sunnymitra6372 And what would they achieve by joining russia?, Are they gonna get back everything they lost from the past 8 years?, what future can russia asure for this people under a dictatorship?, even when russia itself is underdeveloped and many regiosn are struggling, this is all pointless...

[@sunnymitra6372]

@@iidacerii711 Atleast they would be able to Survive and afford cheap Gas unlike Europeans

[@nataliaganshina6977]

@@iidacerii711 You had watched numeros of Simon's videos and hadn't caught the idea, where the real dictatorship was and is? Or you think, that the people who risk their lives are so stupid? I'm sure you have disappointed Simon ;-)

[@Sphynra]

They should make a Hangover spinoff based on this, where a bunch of ex-Ukrainians wake up one day surrounded by vodka bottles and puke stains and find out they've created a country.

[@MrTC0815]

lmao

[@futurequagmire6199]

I both hate and love this comment 😂 it would be a great movie but it sucks it's happening in ukraine

[@КотШрёдингера-г9к]

Ukraine was created this way

[@zavtradnem]

@@futurequagmire6199 Can you find Ukraine on the map?

[@futurequagmire6199]

@@zavtradnem I was born their so yeah

[@carlruppert7324]

So this is how it all started - this video right here. How crazy that we get to witness all of these defining moments that lead to the war in Ukraine, firsthand, on KZbin. And as expected, Simon was right there in the middle of it all. Absolute legend! 👏🏻

[@fightback397]

Watch the videos from Kiev and other regions . From around the same time . How many times is this been played out ? So many . It makes me sad . Everywhere from criss cross the world and innocent people payed the price .

[@asson432]

Excellent coverage as per your par, Vice, and outstanding work as usual to Mr. Ostrovsky and everybody on the ground.

[@EoinStidster]

Did that guy say he's counting on Putin for his free speech? That sounds like a losing battle..

[@futurequagmire6199]

*becomes Russia * "wait so we don't have freedom of speech or democracy anymore " "please take us back ukraine please we didn't mean it "

[@fuzzydunlop7928]

@@futurequagmire6199 Wish we could get a followup on the sentiments inside these two 'republics' but I'm unsure if any journos can get inside either one unmolested - that in itself is telling.

[@futurequagmire6199]

@@fuzzydunlop7928 journos are far far safer in the ukraine we want the world to see what Russia is doing to us as long as they stay on our side there safe we will protect them , I can't say the same for Russia there very secretive and don't want anyone to know whats going on

[@nikolasavic140]

@@futurequagmire6199 Pretty ironic.Ukraine and democracy

[@dexorne9753]

@@fuzzydunlop7928 Patrick Manchester, Eva Bartlett

[@ocksee]

The fact that practically all of Ukraine has been extremely anti-journalism and anti-cameras for every one of these videos and they still managed to record this entire meeting during the creation of the Donetsk Republic is absolutely amazing. As usual, Simon and his crew publish some fantastic journalism. We're all praying for his release from detainment by the Pro-Russians.

[@alessandro.calzavara]

Pro-Russian seem to be more anti-camera than others

[@WagnerGroup2025]

Мечтай

[@WYO_Dirtbag]

A step back from the actually issues, regardless of peoples options, this is a damn fine video. VICE brings us inside of the administration building and the new "republic" AND the current appointed mayors opinions, AND some people of the streets opinion. You cannot get this kind of coverage anywhere else.

[@sethrogen949]

Agree

[@gillesspony4264]

@@sethrogen949 Agree too! its an amazing video!

[@spatwo1936]

Simon literally had no idea how many FSB agents he was surrounded by lol

[@TheMediatorOfChaos]

"We'll cope with the issue" If only Governor Taruta knew how incredibly wrong he had been...

[@fightback397]

@Yuri Nator Kiev was already bought by the West more or less . What i fail to understand from the Ukrainians is why they thought they could be independent once the USA/EU backed Kiev . I guess the EU propaganda is very strong . Most countries are totally dependent nowadays from the EU funds .

[@germanempire8678]

@Yuri Nator with the help of who?

[@germanempire8678]

@Yuri Nator exactly, ukraine is on the hook now cause of their future debt to the west

[@germanempire8678]

@Yuri Nator but it needs tons of investments cause their infrastructure is doing really bad and you need to transport them by the sea or recover russian gas pipes but cut them from russia and even with all that who will even accept the poorest country in europe into eu?

[@germanempire8678]

@Yuri Nator yes it has but this will require a lot of time and money so you know, the west can't wait for that long so even if they will I guess they will not let ukraine live it own life and maybe will buy their resources for free in exchange for all this help

[@atillabaksay9255]

"The international community is monitoring this." "What international community?" "The usual one!" :DDDD

[@Ksgamer103]

"What Inernational Community?" "The Usual one." Loved that. didn't now if it was a joke or not but it was funny.

[@fightback397]

Actually it was a serious question . And funny as well 😂😂 😂 . Well the international community was sure notified with predictable reactions . The rich folk, elites, backed Kiev and the people backed Donetsk .

[@Proud_GOY_Not_juwish]

Juuuuuuz

[@sierraecho884]

One of the best Video series of all time. Incredible work by the journalist Simon and his crew. I can´t believe how vice news and media in general has fallen in the last years.

[@Dovelunalove]

vice hasn’t fallen. they still do great reporting. especially on the current attack of Ukraine.

[@miltoncamilo8974]

This video is extremely important to understand the current situation in Ukraine. VICE News had done very great service.

[@charleybull33]

It appears that Stalin's efforts to remove intellectuals - worked.

[@sashabond79]

There were planty of normal people in Donetsk - all ran away from this military alco - trash party called "DNR"

[@Aaron-sl5qh]

sashabond79 Кажется кому-то нравится умничать🤔

[@ladazibarova7357]

@@Aaron-sl5qh пошёл отсюда

[@Bookstop1337]

Such a clusterfuck. This is why the government should always be accountable to the people, because once these common people who have no idea how to create a government actually do this whole cycle is just going to repeat again.

[@thelittlemermaid6645]

Yeah but there isn't a normal government..😭

[@facundolamas950]

8:52 "...a very small country because it only exist insede the walls of the administration building..." How time changes everything.

[@sluxi]

Yes, now it does not exist at all because the territory has been illegally annexed by Russia.

[@user-wq9mw2xz3j]

​@sluxi it was legal according to Donbass tho 😂

[@Rascalndear1]

Excellent... thanks! These are the most believable, straight up reports from anybody on the situation in Ukraine today!

[@Recycledhero]

Good coverage.

[@PhiloAmericana]

Superb job, Simon.

[@RealNarod28]

History in the making. Pretty powerful to watch actually.

[@PanzerV7782]

True

[@kentfang]

thanks for the update Vice

[@igoralekseyev3347]

I love how the old guy just sits with the Soviet Union flag.

[@cogniplantari]

this series is the best reporting vice news ever did

[@pheymee88]

3:50 "We have asked Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to send in peacekeeping forces to the region from the Russian Federation so people can freely express their will on how they want to live". I'm sure that's definitely the only way how people can express themselves freely.

[@Rick8191-tv8pg]

Yes , with the regime installed after the American coup which started this.

[@julialevin2431]

as always great job Simon

[@osteelgen8225]

Glad I found this. Was listening on the radio and reading about the current situation on NRK (norwegian media) and wondered what had happened during this time, Learning a lot

[@eikkkN]

I loled at the "russian peacekeepers"

[@123456ghjklcv5919]

we have these russian peacekeepers in Moldova ... they basically control the country and built russian bases

[@liamgrech1]

russians and peace don't really go well in the same sentence

[@JackTheCarver]

123456ghjklcv5919 In Transnistria, yes, there are Russian bases. And they're there in accord with a peace treaty after the war between Transnistria and Moldova that Moldova agreed to. I don't think it would be long before the Moldovan army "reintegrates" Transnistria if those troops weren't there, and the people of Transnistria do not want that.

[@anbr05]

tobby tob just as funny as American Democracy bombing cities of Yugoslavia and Iraq.

[@placeholder8768]

Andrey Brekhovskikh Russia’s bombing Syria and Iraq as much as America, lmao

[@BBBqqq6]

0:58 - get this guy a Gatorade, he is hungover as sh*t

[@reanimationeas342]

Better get some Expresso coffee too

[@franciscosalanova6601]

Excellent reporting! Great series by Vice

[@kurtstory9466]

Funny how they call it "People's Republic of Donetsk", yet they are flying a Russian flag. That actually tells me a lot.

[@pamilerinluwoye9104]

In Russia states or regions ar ẹ called republics Basically because Russia is very very big like a continent

[@ronaldkerekes3989]

Tells you what ?their grandparents were murdered by Germans

[@CosmicValkyrie]

You should study what a federation is.

[@JackTheCarver]

Simon, that governor has been in office for a month or so. The old governor has been deposed of by the new government in Kiew and they have installed loyal puppets, not people who represent the regions they govern. You could have been a little more critical.

[@4exgold]

What strikes me about this short film is the clear presence of a power vacuum. The official governor & some staff are operating from a hotel whilst the "People's Republic" have taken over the regional govt HQ. The local security forces are laying low but are probably more sympathetic to the notion of secession or at least autonomy. It's a very dangerous situation.

[@drp_bear]

The point is that every move of official government is instantly being used in pro-russian propaganda in very dirty way. When thousands of people in Kyiv wanted to Yanukovich to leave - pro-russians and Russia itself screamed out loud that this is people are fashists, terrorists, payed by America. But when 100-150 people is take over regional HQ - pro-russians calls it "legitimate will of local people".

[@LobsterFromMars]

Pear Cake You are greatly mistaken - or intentionally lying. These people are not 100-150, thousands of them. And that's just the activists. A tacitly support them almost the entire population of South-East of Ukraine.

[@drp_bear]

LobsterFromMars I think asking you for proof is pontless. In Kharkov gov. HQ was only 70 people. 65 of them are going to jail, 5 - to home arrest. In Donetsk HQ is twice more people at max, thats why I said "150". Im gonna repeat myself - the only reason why those "activists" in Donetsk is not in a jail yet is that Russia will immediately try to use this for military invade.

[@serggla924]

Pear Cake He's talking about all the people who support those "150" people which would be close to all of Donetsk and most of Eastern Ukraine.

[@drp_bear]

sergey glavan Look closely, he is trying to say that in Donetsk HQ are "thousands of them" lol.

[@david95288]

There were a few years when Vice was legitimately the best journalism in the world

[@gillesspony4264]

Interestingly at that time you could still find in the street of Donetsk divided opinions..A few days later ...it became dangerous to express opinions favorable to Ukraine.. Great video!

[@opex9979]

yeah because clowns sent by Kyiv were sent back to Ukraine

[@fightback397]

I saw this area with children playing outside , a school , and it was shelled .

[@philippefaucon3317]

Ostrowsky's work...BRAVO !!!! Absolutely amazing coverage since the beginning! BRAVO!!!

[@PicksFromThe6ix]

Vice News and Simon in particular have been doing an amazing job since day one in bringing us amazing coverage in Ukraine. Amazing work keep it up.

[@Wolf6119]

Oh good. A army of drunken men with guns proclaiming three new nations that all wave the Russian flag. What could go wrong. And as to why what they're doing is wrong and what the people in Kiev did isn't, I'll quote a Russian reporter who said "When the people on the Maidan rose up for their freedom, they were waving the flag of the country they live in. When the people of the East rise up for "freedom", they wave the flag of a foreign nation whose military forces are only a few miles away"

[@Wolf6119]

A double standard suggests the same thing is taking place and one person is judging it differently each time. Maidan: People fighting to depose their national government which they disagree with to replace it with another national government. Donetsk: People taking over an administration building and proclaiming their region a new nation.

[@4exgold]

A US backed neo Nazi coup d'état is not freedom you dribbling idiot. Haven't you read the news? These Svoboda/Fatherland Bandera-worshippers are getting ready to bring in the IMF to asset strip whatever Ukraine has left. Large chunks of their navy and military have either defected or will not fight for this illegal regime. Oh, and they cannot even pay Russia for the gas it pipes to them.

[@Wolf6119]

Okay, again, I'm not justifying the actions of those on the Maidan. Both of these groups are fighting for what they believe is right, and they both have an overly radical approach to thing. BUT I again reiterate. The people on Maidan only wanted to replace their government. The people of Donetsk aren't fighting for their country, they're fighting for another country, or as they say, their own country. Frankly, neither of it is right, but revolution has always been better accepted in history than rebellion.

[@kardinalruffo]

4exgold Hello! Bandera is an unfortunate hero but he did fight against the Ukrain's greatest enemy: the soviets. I know many Galicians. These are heroic and good people and extremly patriotic. It is the kind of patriotism that the Texan's had at the alemo. Thier culture is seriously threatened by Putin's Moscow so naturaly there is some anti Russian feeling. It is always easy to confuse the enemy-in this case putin- with a nation.

[@LobsterFromMars]

Wolf6119 If you could understand what "Ukraine", you would not be confused in these things. Ukraine - "artificial formation", consisting of areas with very different (opposite) cultural-historical values. Today they can no longer live together. Began the process of "divorce", as in humans. That's all. Sorry for English, I used a translator.

[@gamelot12093]

"Peoples Republic". Now where have I heard such names before?

[@reanimationeas342]

All of which are dictatorships

[@Vuikos]

Если будет возможность возьмите интервью у милиционеров, основная диверсия была с их стороны, они фактически впустили экстремистов и не вмешивались при многократных нарушениях закона и прав людей которые там живут. Спасибо.

[@Oblomovblues]

они просто в политике не разбираются. Один раз выполнили приказ и за это были поставлены на колени. Естественно опасаются, что если начнут выполнять сейчас - опять встанут в итоге.

[@LobsterFromMars]

Милиция тоже состоит из тех кто поддерживает киевскую хунту и тех, кто хунту не поддерживает.

[@Vuikos]

Владислав Волков Поэтому они колорадские ленточки носят и когда бьют людей на улице ломом (факт), то просто отворачиваются? Как бы там не было, нужно у них спрашивать о причинах, потому, что проблема может быть решаема.

[@kristofgranger6922]

Use English or go back to russia.

[@PS3Zocker21]

Kristaps Gailis Go clean toilets in the EU or go back to the Baltics

[@ricardomeijer7164]

I'm gonna put a flag up my roof, declare myself an independent country. And never pay taxes again.

[@reanimationeas342]

Great way to get arrested. Good luck

[@Walzounet]

The more they look educated, the less they want to be part of Russia.

[@JesuWho]

How does the thought of joining Russia even come up? Europe is way better then isolating yourself into Russia.

[@JackTheCarver]

Yes....certainly. That mus be why the east of Ukraine, which is richer and has better education, tends to be more pro-Russian. That must be it.

[@dAMMDb]

JesuWho Ethnicity. Also, they probably think Putin is pretty cool.

[@JesuWho]

Ryan Yakov "Putin is pretty cool". If you like a man who have anti-gay laws, sure. I can see the nationalism in these people, sure if you want to join up with Russia do it. I as a Swede dont have a say in what actions Crimea should talke, it's the people there.

[@dAMMDb]

They probably sympathize with Putin's views.

[@LepisX]

1:22 He's totally wasted... not a headache.

[@reanimationeas342]

I bet that he had a massive hangover

[@pepechen]

Congratulations Vice News, Congratulations Ostroyski and Mr. Cameraman, I watched all 23 Dispaches and I enjoyed them thoughly, the best reporting on Ukraine, and I have seen a lot, really sensational work. Thankyou very much.

[@aaronsuarez2585]

well....now you got 70 xD

[@teabagNBG]

lmao the old guy at the 0:41 mark wearing a wutang crewneck lmao

[@Simple_Classic_Cars]

Love video editing, pleasure to watch!

[@Cblount21]

Looks like a Tom Clancy novel with this and the stupid NATO General wanting to put U.S troops in Eastern Europe.

[@stockholmkyiv]

Russian bot

[@sethrogen949]

How can they form a government when they did not do a vote OF the people?

[@thevideogamehunger0134]

Well there is something called a interim government.

[@vorrepetrykanov6313]

as always more great coverage. better than mainstream media. keep it up !

[@reanimationeas342]

I admit that news stations barely give the whole picture a lot of times

[@kaizersoze]

I like these documentaries, not biased! and wants EVERYONES side of the story, today I seen 3. Fuck you if you think VICENEWS is biased. ;) P.S. Keep up the good work Simon!!!!

[@darojax]

VICE strikes again with another incomparable world class news report. You're the best VICE, thankyou for your hard work and the risks you take!

[@123rmillan]

REALLY? are you paying attention or are you one of those sheeple? Vice in general and Simon in particular are obviously bias.

[@kael13]

Presenting three sides and their individual opinions as is, is CLEARLY bias, right? *rollseyes*

[@darojax]

123rmillan Maybe they are biased, I dont know. What I do see though is alot of close up reports from the inside, quality up close news that no other news agencies manage to produce. I'd say they let their videos speak for themselves, most of the time anyway. ^^

[@malibu14111]

It's quite striking to see the people who are very clearly educated taking a stance vehemently against joining Russia and the low-income people being Pro joining Russia.

[@Tabak419]

Such people are much easier to manipulate. Just tell them that they'll loose their shitty job and they'll freak out. If you want them to do some really serious shit then tell them they'll have super huge payment for the the same work.

[@anapoli22]

Seems to me like Putin is their Obama over there. Appeals to the low income citizens by offering them "change" and "a better life" and "free stuff". When I think we all know what the price that really comes with.

[@aSuspiciousPete]

***** calm down your tits. Those people had some really hard times last two decades, constantly being robbed by wealthy guys (like Sergey Taruta) and not taken care of at all. They work in the region that makes most of the money in Ukraine and have nothing for themselves! In Russia, we have gone through this long ago and I could imagine how sad they are. And hey! Those are not russians, technically they're all Ukrainians. You offend me dude!

[@The_Lucent_Archangel]

***** Putin is not highly religious, and Obama opposed gay marriage during his 2008 run, smart guy. Oh, and point to where marriage (as an institution) is a guaranteed right. It's not. If there were no tax and legal disparity between licensed marriage and civil unions, same-sex marriage would be a non-issue.

[@The_Lucent_Archangel]

***** Look up Barry and Hillary's lines on the subject back in the 08 primaries. Sorry for the misunderstanding, as I agree.

[@deaansugee]

Something's puzzling me, tho, in Crimea, during the pro-Russian protest, we've seen pro-Ukrainian protesters as well. And it should be noted there was the danger of the Russian military in Crimea as well. But on Donetsk, an area that has a significantly larger Ukrainian:Russian ratio than Crimea, we can't see any pro-Ukrainian protesters. What's happening here?

[@velikiradojica]

Kiev withdrew the ban on Russian language and Lavrov said they won't annex Eastern Ukraine. Those are good enough reasons for people on both sides to just ignore the situation and give the new president a chance, I guess.

[@QronoZ713]

@@velikiradojica And look what happened 🙃

[@germanempire8678]

@@QronoZ713 now we are fucked and I hope everything to end good

[@ronaldkerekes3989]

Donbass is Russian...pro russian...always been

[@germanempire8678]

Yeah, I wish for peace between russia and ukraine

[@L0rd_Schmidtler]

My man is saucy as fuck 1:25 lol drunk politicians are always the funniest.

[@enciksyafiq6977]

Finally after 8 years waiting,there's a good sign they will be free...good for them and good luck for the incoming referendum

[@D-J-Q]

1:21 Best rolling eyes ever.

[@xxwookey]

I'm coming very late to this series having not taken that much notice 7 years ago. But I have to say that I am very impressed indeed at Simon and his cameraperson's ability to be in interesting an important places, ask good questions, listen respectfully to the answers and overall do excellent journalism in somewhat chaotic and often stressful circumstances. It feels balanced in a very polarised situation. You can see why revolutions often go badly, because once you've got everyone excited, it's quite hard to get them to calm down enough to actually run a country without just starting more arguments. Made harder when your next door neighbour is Mr Putin.

[@Behemoth29]

5:15 That is not Denis Pushilin. Pushilin was at 4:25.

[@TheBlacklight345]

Once again thanks Vice News for keeping us informed unlike a certain news agency which seems to go on and on about theories of a 'missing airline'.

[@aluurchin]

Like CNN. poshli bse oni nahui.

[@brasilsoccer0]

I wish you spend more time interviewing the normal people as in the last few seconds. Maybe in the next video you talk to normal folks and the corrupt politicians

[@WrathOfImperium]

Kiev appointed governor seems very sleazy, that fake smile ugh, its no surprise he has so little support in the region.

[@petershev]

Are those Porsche, Mercedes and Land Cruiser at 9:14 the cars of that governor?

[@maastermined9363]

of course , you can't erase corruption by changing governments. It's like a HIV , once it's there it intends to sit there untill the country is dead. Look at greece , look at Italy , Look at russia

[@danvolodar]

That Kiev junta-appointed "governor" sure looks self-assured and not nervous at all.

[@Praylak]

Relaxed and confident, that was my impression. Seriously though, the guy seems to be shitting his pants. Could it be anymore obvious, the guy is very scared.

[@syro666]

Look at the Rebel leaders in Donetsk, their all hung over from the night before. Is this what Russians call a party or are they taking over the government.

[@derfvcderfvc7317]

They still exist 7 years later

[@matthewneddeau7993]

@@syro666 the founding fathers of my country were some drunk colonists, not much different then these guys.

[@sluxi]

What a joke calling it a junta. It was an interim government that only lasted for a short while and they held elections. It was never a military dictatorship as your word of choice would mean.

[@K-Blao]

Amazing journalism

[@asylumDAYS]

Слава Украине Слава Слава Слава 🙌🏻 🇺🇦

[@bradbel]

Great reporting (as always.)

[@marcantallita]

All paid by your friendly overlord USSR.

[@thomasanderson1416]

Amazing reportage.

[@MrXYZ86]

Not again with that Russian eagle thing... The two headed eagle with ribbon and Saint Michael is not Russia's two headed eagle with septer, sword and Saint George badge. Donetzk Republic was a sovereign state between Ukraine and Russia, with the flag and seal they fly in the video. After the end of 1918 Civil War it was dissolved and attached to Ukraine as a gift from Lenin.

[@PakelisViniu]

Looks like Simon lost some weight and looks tired. Keep up, man. It is great to see a journalist that is on the ground in the middle of the action. Great pieces of info.

[@arnoldassulnius9849]

Stay strong Ukraine!

[@trupoed17]

Like Luthinia!:))(im already laughing)

[@gooner72]

That bloke at about 01:00 in the video was absolutely hilarious........ he was clearly hammered, his eyes were all over the place and he slurred his words all the way through..😆

[@Limpzzzik]

У меня постоянно возникает вопрос: Вот Ярута говорит, что никто тех людей не уполномачивал создавать временное правительство, а кто тогда уполномочил людей менять правительство в Киеве? Правый Сектор?! Кто-нибудь может дать адекватный аргумент почему там люди могут митинговать и менять, а в Донецке люди не могут?! Почему Ярута говорит 50-100 человек, он что, боится выйти из Отеля и увидеть, что там стоят тысячи?!

[@Environmentalismatic]

Ок. Когда соберется там больше чем пол миллиона, тогда поговорим?

[@Limpzzzik]

***** Я немного не понял вопроса. Нормально прочитали мой комментарий? А то походу мы об одном и том же.

[@ratzpat6710]

If not the bottles for Molotov cocktails, I really doubt Russians would give up vodka just like that.

[@HenrySims]

Someone should set that building on fire.

[@restrepo3297]

Someone should give Simon an award after he's done with all of this.

[@ratzpat6710]

I remember Soviets and Americans split the Korean peninsula. As far as I remember Russian side still sucks

[@VistaLensX]

A governmant can not be created ad hoc. This people are fools.

[@NichiroTeikoku]

tell that to the junta in Kiev, who created their government ad hoc via coup d'etat

[@hansjohnson1200]

NichiroTeikoku By government you mean the previously democratically elected officials (who represent Ukrainians) that held a vote in caucus for the interim PM?

[@Hakeem94]

is it a fair comparison that I say that the people here and in Crimea "voting" to become a part a Russia because they are the majority population is Russian is like Southern California becoming a part of Mexico just because the majority population are from Central America?

[@kanaric]

and putting on the ballot only "join mexico" or "become independent"

[@l00knohands]

Interesting comparison. And somewhat right on a deeper level. During the Soviet era, Moscow enacted 'Russification' policies where they essentially colonized imperial holdings (Ukraine, Poland, Baltic states, Chechnya) with ethnic Russians. Aside from making control easier, it also (in some cases, dramatically) altered the demographics of these countries. So it'd be somewhat similar if it was Mexican government policy to affect this change. And if Mexican nationals weren't in Cali before Americans were. So crucial differences, but still sharing some aspects.

[@Hakeem94]

I just wanted to make sure that I didn't seem unintelligent on the issue haha I'm trying to understand why and how Russia is able to do this. Like, what is Putin's motive behind acquiring Crimea and elsewhere.

[@AwesomeSkills2010]

Hakeem Fairweather Well considering the expansion of Nato to Russian borders you can see how that is making Russia nervous, thats why crimea is was taken. Im sure you can imagine how say US would react if China suddenly made military alliance with Mexico and build few bases right next to USAs southern border.

[@AwesomeSkills2010]

Hakeem Fairweather Crimea is extremely important from both military and economic perspective. It harbours russian black sea fleet and therefore enables russians to control black sea and also gives acces to mediterrainean sea.

[@d1agram4]

Lmao the beginning, that dude was trashed.

[@leonidlerner1381]

I thought about this for a while. The picture is different from what one gets from Russian TV. But then I thought, look, at what this guy says. 'Is this how you start a republic?'. Deliberately concentrates on bottles on the floor, the fact that one of the representatives was drunk. Of course people who might face 15 years in prison might drink, of course they might argue. So he is biased against them. So how do I know that those people whom he interviewed at the end - mostly against the uprising - were not deliberately chosen to represent his point of view?

[@Proud_GOY_Not_juwish]

Fax he’s a sneaky passive aggressive juuuuu

[@mattsmith4063]

Simon, thank you for doing what you do.

[@ekfk1527]

long life to Ukraine united

[@natrone23]

Nathan Callidor You get to overthrow the president when he kills 100 unarmed citizens.

[@ekfk1527]

Nathan Callidor oh really? it is awfull. Thanks god, Putin is here to save Ukraine

[@Aaron-sl5qh]

EK FK Maybe if 7 oblast weren’t inhabited by russians

[@ConorMcgregor322]

@Pavor Shut up, they're not Fascists and you know it. This propaganda goes back to Soviet times. Yanukovych is just about as democratically elected as Putin is. If this happened in Russia, these protests would have been shut down and all the protesters beaten and thrown in jail. That should tell you who the real fascists are.

[@kumkumhashmali3054]

i must Simon Politzer NoW! Eto genialno,prosto,genialno

[@GetOutsideYourself]

These videos are great, but aside from the random street interviews at the end, not much is done to really answer the question of how widespread the separatist movement is. Is it an isolated, possibly paid, group? Or is it a majority of the population of the region?

[@Михаил-ч2и2ъ]

It is widespread.

[@minuteofsilence1]

***** Direct lie

[@Quietstrenght1]

***** Where did you get your polls? Kyivpost? How can one even get an objective poll in the present situation? I don't believe any of the polls about Ukraine.

[@AsBanker86]

The want for Russia is fueled by complete lies from the Russian propaganda machine telling the people in the east that Nazi's and CIA and the evil west all plotted to overthrow Ukraine.

[@sergeibadmaev3403]

It's hard to say because there is no neutral source. Most people want more rights for the region.

[@drovoseg]

Governor of Donetsk is Woody Allen actually.

[@augustin5611]

0:10 4:21 Denis Pushilin

[@PedroFerreira-ze5yp]

exatcly! the fascist, Denys Pushilin!

[@marat5139]

Пенис Душилин

[@ayrkrane5559]

5.07 "and they are deciding what to donetsk" xD

[@staysharp5893]

Ukraine verses the Pro Alcoholic's of Ukraine. Give them vodka they be right (sarcasm). If people where sitting on my front lawn with tyres around them stating they want to be part of another country. I would tell them put those tyres on a car and drive there.

[@minuteofsilence1]

More than half of the population. You sounds like Stalin

[@staysharp5893]

It is Ukraine land don't like it leave. NOT RUSSIAN land whatever the population just cause you outnumber a small country doesn't mean you take over them any where in the world. Otherwise for example a large number of people could take control of anywhere they like. I don't know why I am explaining, maybe your support Pro Alcoholics and your drunk. I don't care how much of the population it is NO, it could be a small island for I care, if you don't believe in the values of another country then don't live there.

[@minuteofsilence1]

Ok so we will not support but fordome reasone we will support this

[@lolcat23]

the meeting sounded something like i imagined from The Moon is a harsh mistress

[@kurvitaschthedictator]

Crazy how he's laughing at those drunk peasants forming a quasi government. That government building grew to all of war torn Donetsk

[@q5go84q]

Drunk peasants don't have a right for self-determination? Now, these peasants are Russian Federation. So, suck it.

[@alanstringfellow9212]

I don't see this being resolved peacefully, I hope I'm wrong. Side note: Standing around screaming your opinions to a bunch of people who either aren't listening to you or just can't hear you won't help either.

[@croftshaftoe5554]

Wow those guys are drunk

[@EinkOLED]

I've stayed in that Hotel last november. It is not far from the shaktar football stadium.

[@theplugtoday3658]

These leaders don't give a fuk, as long as they have power, money and living a comfortable life themselves, they're happy.

[@chesterfinecat7588]

It's the city council meeting from Hell.

[@timm2020]

When the world asks why do Americans fight for their right to bare arms? Why do they form private Militia groups? Now you know why, we do not want this kind of thing to happen to them. We Americans know too well that anything can stop liberty, and we may have to some day fight that. The truth is there is only so much talking that can be done. We Americans do not and will not allow things like this happen. Our Bill of Rights, gives us the right to keep and fight for our liberty.

[@Tabak419]

Even if you have to start a civil war for that? Could you kill your compatriots? I hate this mess in Donetks, but I am not really sure if it worth it. I prefer to have them alive in another country rather then dead in Ukraine.

[@scythianarcher6896]

You can fight for your liberty in your own country... Oh wait, the gov. has APC, tanks and UAV drones to safely neutralize insurgents.

[@timm2020]

Liberty and Freedom is more important than lives. Some times who have to stand for something.

[@kurtstory9466]

What--do you really think a Russian-based revolt within Ukraine, coming on the heels of Crimea's annexation has something to do with "liberty"--and not Putin's expansionist agenda? Are you really that naive?

[@scythianarcher6896]

I think he just felt for expressing his pro-gun views.

[@adamwatson6916]

I miss this version of vice news.

[@cskvision]

So instead of working with Ukraine to voice their displeasure and find a common ground, they chose extremists measures, insurrection, terrorism and war. Worked out well in Donbas 8 years later.

[@psychologianiestacjonarna6558]

They? It was orchestrated by Moscow with support of Russian troops (with no insignia, of course), similar to taking over Crimea by Russia. Have you heard of Igor Girkin, FSB officer, famous for shooting down Malaysian Airlines flight 370 over Donbas?

[@reanimationeas342]

​@@psychologianiestacjonarna6558Russia did finance terrorists (DPR and LPR) so the OP is right

[@RFPishere]

Great Stuff Vice

[@ИванИванов-ь7б2у]

Тарута издергался весь на стуле от неудобных вопросов ))) Чувствует, что скоро все его капиталы в Донецке испарятся ))

[@crislamont4174]

1:24 HAMMERED