Donetsk Creates an Independent Government: Russian Roulette

[@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

[@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 now these reports feel like precious historical documents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 ;-)

[@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

[@atillabaksay9255]

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

[@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 .

[@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

[@TheMediatorOfChaos]

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

[@yurinator6380]

They were already part of Russia and thought they were deciding things here😂

[@fightback397]

@@yurinator6380 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 .

[@yurinator6380]

@@fightback397 Russia loses to Ukraine😭😭😂😂

[@germanempire8678]

@@yurinator6380 with the help of who?

[@germanempire8678]

@@yurinator6380 exactly, ukraine is on the hook now cause of their future debt to the west

[@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

[@asson432]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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 😂

[@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.

[@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.

[@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..😭

[@igoralekseyev3347]

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

[@miltoncamilo8974]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@Behemoth29]

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

[@Rascalndear1]

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

[@BBBqqq6]

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

[@reanimationeas342]

Better get some Expresso coffee too

[@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 .

[@david95288]

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

[@theyeetplayer8724]

If the people want independance or to belong to Russia, it is their good right.

[@owenthomas5103]

Yes, but its the job of those claiming thats the case to to prove it with real votes, not turning up with guns, causing violence and causing people to flee then holding a supposed referendum after kicking out election observers.

[@Svistov]

​@@owenthomas5103because the US would never do something lime that...

[@kitchenersown]

​@@owenthomas5103The Ukrainian government never approved of any referendum...they had to do it themselves...

[@Recycledhero]

Good coverage.

[@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

[@Rick8191-tv8pg]

The people didn't want to be apart of Ukraine or the Ukrainian regime, you would think our Gov would support them seeing how our country was founded .

[@LepisX]

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

[@reanimationeas342]

I bet that he had a massive hangover

[@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

[@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

[@teabagNBG]

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

[@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

[@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

[@RealNarod28]

History in the making. Pretty powerful to watch actually.

[@listopadni7782]

True

[@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

[@PhiloAmericana]

Superb job, Simon.

[@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

[@mango2005]

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

[@reanimationeas342]

All of which are dictatorships

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@WrathOfImperium]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@cogniplantari]

this series is the best reporting vice news ever did

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@ratzpat6710]

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

[@HenrySims]

Someone should set that building on fire.

[@kentfang]

thanks for the update Vice

[@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

[@ArcheronII]

lol at about 4:00 the guy said they asked for Russian troops so they can express thier views freely..... that sounds like an oxymoron....

[@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.

[@D-J-Q]

1:21 Best rolling eyes ever.

[@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.

[@julialevin2431]

as always great job Simon

[@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!!!!

[@marcantallita]

All paid by your friendly overlord USSR.

[@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.

[@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. ^^

[@theplugtoday3658]

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

[@franciscosalanova6601]

Excellent reporting! Great series by Vice

[@kristinparish2834]

It' a shame that Putin doesn't know what peacekeeping means. To Russia AND China it's all about weapons, weapons. weapons.

[@ronaldkerekes3989]

You are brainwashed

[@cskvision]

@@ronaldkerekes3989 look at what’s left of Severdonetsk, Lysychansk and Mariupol ever since Russia graced those cities with their presence. Can’t be brainwashed with reality

[@marinblaze]

​@@cskvisionIraq, Libya, Laos, Vietnam...

[@ratzpat6710]

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

[@enisey6638]

Ukraine stole Crimea and Sevastopol when USSR broke up. Sevastopol was never part of Ukranian SSR. Crimea had referendum in 1991 to leave Ukranian SSR and 93,26 % voted positivelly to that. But Kiev made Crimea illegally to stay within Ukraine (same with Sevastopol). Kravchuk (Ukraine's president back then) even mentions that they were considering a war with Crimea. Crimeans for many years condered Ukraine as an occupant. 

[@Lithiumaniacs]

Fuck the USSR, it was a complete failure! It was built by stealing land from other countries! Russia will never be a superpower again.

[@Brommes]

Ron CleanSpeed The US is dropping fast ..

[@MsTbsd]

***** haha typical russian propaganda, no body needs to reply logically to that.

[@DaInsano]

***** Ever heard of the Aral Sea? It pretty much debunks everything you said as a symbol of how russia doesnt give a shit about all those countries and only squeezes the last ressources and money from them.

[@DaInsano]

***** lol, do you really think I was implying russia stole water? Russia has applyied short term agricultural expansion in order to supply the whole soviet union with cotton. The quality of life for the people did not improve. They couldnt go fishing anymore and had to work cotton for a tiny pay. The grave missmanagment killed the Aral Sea and the Russians got the fuck out. As you can imagine the people who suffered and are still suffering from the lack of water, food, security and poisoning never got compensated by russia.

[@eccmassive9641]

The empty suit with glasses at 11:50 reminds me of Obama&the unelected bureaucrats in Brussels. I sincerely hope Poroshenko does not expect America to help him if Russia invades. This is not our battle. If Donetsk Crimea etc citizens want to be Russian that's not our business. End corruption in Kiev&maybe people won't want to leave so badly!

[@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.

[@philippefaucon3317]

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

[@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

[@Nikolay_Grigoryev]

10:00 The 50-100 people in that meting have more democratic authority then the oligarch appointed by one president. How many people on Maidan? 50-200k at most out of a country of 45 million...

[@jimberkt]

well, they said donetsk was 4.5 million so, about a tenth of the total population. One tenth of maidan would be comparable but by your figures it is only one thousandth. I dont know what it means but for your maths the Donetsk separatists have 1% of the legitimacy of Maidan.

[@Nikolay_Grigoryev]

It's a rhetorical question

[@CLY25]

I'm sorry so you didn't want to be told how your argument was mathematically and theoretically incorrect in what you were trying to imply?

[@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.

[@L0rd_Schmidtler]

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

[@Zainano]

Spoilers: Administration building is taken over by drunken terrorists.

[@reanimationeas342]

Reminds me of the South Park episode "Red Badge of Gayness" in which Eric Cartman leads an army of drunk war reenactors to restart the Confederate States of America

[@Simple_Classic_Cars]

Love video editing, pleasure to watch!

[@arnoldassulnius9849]

Stay strong Ukraine!

[@trupoed17]

Like Luthinia!:))(im already laughing)

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@augustin5611]

0:10 4:21 Denis Pushilin

[@PedroFerreira-ze5yp]

exatcly! the fascist, Denys Pushilin!

[@marat5139]

Пенис Душилин

[@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..😆

[@jayraymond7777]

On one hand, Russian propaganda had very strong "anti-fascist" and "minority-protection" rhetoric. On the other hand, it exploited traditional - both Soviet and pre-Soviet - anti-Ukrainian stereotypes that divided Ukrainians into a loyal majority of "Little Russians" (a dull but harmless provincial branch of Great Russians) and the perverse minority of "nationalists" (arguably corrupted by Western influence and therefore obsessed with a crazy idea of Ukraine's difference and separateness).The Russian elite, infected by its own propaganda, becomes increasingly paranoid and determined to fight the invented "fascists" in neighbouring countries as if they are real. This means that whatever Ukraine does or says in this regard, it matters little. The real choice is either to share the fate of the 1956 Hungary and 1968 Czechoslovakia invasions by the Red army or to follow the example of the 1920 Poland and 1940 Finland (when the Russians were contained).

[@SkywalkerWroc]

"Russian propaganda had very strong "anti-fascist" and "minority-protection" rhetoric" - fun fact: Russia got one of the most harsh laws against separatism. If you'll for example post online that Chechnya should be independent and why - you can go to jail for up to 3 years.

[@serggla924]

"the invented "fascists" " Let's specifically talk about Ukraine here.Are you denying that there was any involvement of far-right wing nationalists at all in the take over of Kiev?If so please go back a few videos on vice news where they show a huge group of those "invented fascists" leaving a hotel with guns. "On the other hand, it exploited traditional - both Soviet and pre-Soviet - anti-Ukrainian stereotypes that divided Ukrainians into a loyal majority of "Little Russians" (a dull but harmless provincial branch of Great Russians) and the perverse minority of "nationalists" (arguably corrupted by Western influence and therefore obsessed with a crazy idea of Ukraine's difference and separateness)." These are not stereotypes at all,you are just an idiot.Eastern Ukraine has always consisted of these "little Russians" that were not loyal to the branch of "Greater Russians" but the general thinking of these people was that Ukraine and Russia will always be brethren that help each other out and favor collaborating with each other over any other nation.Western Ukrainians on the other hand have done nothing but betray their Slavic brethren.Western Ukrainians during world war 2 started many pro-Nazi guerrila groups of which Stephan Bendaras' group was the biggest and most known.They attacked supply trains,killed Russian soldiers,comited mass murders in villages that were pro-USSR and did anything they could to weaken Russian front that was trying to protect Ukraine from Hitlers advancing armies.Today you see MANY sympathizers of Stephan Bendera in western Ukraine.You have even saw them as the front lines of the protests in Kiev,and their groups have not dismantled after the protests ended.So as you can see these things are not STEREOTYPES they are reality and anyone from Ukraine knows that this distinction between eastern and western Ukrainians exists.

[@Rascalndear1]

sergey glavan You know very little about the true history of Stepan Bandera and the way the Soviets created this bogeyman to scare people about normal Ukrainian patriots. (Being a Russian "patriot" (chauvinist) is perfectly normal, of course!!!) He spent most of WWII incarcerated in Sachsenhausen... that's what a good little nazi he was. And both his brothers died in Auschwitz. The way you nutters would have it, Bandera should have been a German army general wearing an Iron Cross... duh!

[@serggla924]

Rascalndear1 In late 1942, Bandera's organization, the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, was involved in a campaign of ethnic cleansing of Volhynia, and in early 1944, these campaigns began to include Eastern Galicia. It is estimated that nearly 70,000 Poles, mostly women and children along with unarmed men, were killed during the spring and summer campaign of 1943 in Volhynia by the OUN-Bandera which bears primary responsibility for the massacres. (Timothy Snyder, Working Paper, Yale University, 2001) I'm talking about the kind of organization that he has started and what they did.Not specifically what he did as an individual.

[@dexorne9753]

@@SkywalkerWroc 🤡

[@restrepo3297]

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

[@ИгорьСигалера]

особенно понравилась концовка ..... она лишь подтвердила на сколько западная пресса независимая от народа! так как они показали несколько человек основная масса которых была против воссоединения с Россией ,учитывая тот факт ,что большинство людей хотят воссоединиться с РФ ! продолжают наши западные партнеры заниматься манипуляцией ! если это не так ? чего боятся референдума ? ответ я думаю простой - пол Украины перейдет в состав РФ !

[@Tabak419]

Проведите референдум в Чечне, да и во всех Российских республиках. Чего бояться-то? Что за идиотизм? Сепаратизм, тобишь, намерение расколоть государство, должен наказываться быстро и решительно, а не референдумы проводить по требованию террористов.

[@maxonschwatzky4129]

Tabak419 в Чечне уже давно хуй положили на независимость. они сейчас прекрасно живут. так что гниды с УНСО погибли напрасно =) да и в принципе, во всех республиках нет никаких сепаратистких настроений потому, что там не угнетаются языки, культура, и.т.д.. а пол Украины говорит по-русски, официальным его все равно не делают. театр абсурда, блеать. Востоку противны херои Бандера и Шухевич, а их возвеличивают. тоже бред. большинство в Восточных областях посылают куда подальше Европу, а все равно против их воли пытаются в ЕС вступить. и нахуй надо им такое ебаное государство, где не учитываются их интересы? даже федеративное устройство не хотят сделать. конечно, блеать, Харьков то в 3 раза больше кладет денег в бюджет, чем получает.

[@ИгорьСигалера]

Tabak419 Если вы не в курсе то я вам напомню ,референдум в Чечне был ! он проводился на предмет -хотят-ли чеченцы жить в составе России !Так,что не надо тут сказки рассказывать ! если провести во всей России референдум ,в каждом регионе то выяснится ,что абсолютное большинство хотят жить в составе России !

[@АнтонВасильев-и4и]

Игорь Сигалера КЭП?

[@ИгорьСигалера]

антон васильев ???? поясни

[@bushwhakked]

3:47 "Send in peacekeeping forces to the region from the Russian Federation, so people can "freely" express their will on how they want to live." LOL

[@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.

[@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.

[@gubroojatt]

I think its about time either Vice News changed this reporter or admitted that they are also among the channels who are a mouth piece of the west. A reporter should report the news as they are and leave the viewers to get their own opinion.

[@randomusernamemygod]

Which is what they did.........

[@SkywalkerWroc]

randomusernamemygod Only he doesn't like the truth.... he would prefer by far more a version of reality that's agreed with his political point of view.

[@Rascalndear1]

Kamal and Skywalker... Ostrovsky is doing precisely that. Showing the situation without distortion and letting the viewer draw their own conclusions. Only you don't like the reality that he is portraying. Too bad, so sad.

[@gubroojatt]

SkywalkerWroc +randomusernamemygod : I dont like the truth? The truth is most of the people in the region dont want to be part of a whore country called "Ukraine". This reporter was doing the same in Crimea, going to extreme ends of the world to find someone who doesnt want to be part of Russia. Always trying to report that how Russian forces are bullying poor Ukrainians. The referendum spoke for itself when an overwhelming majority voted to join Russian Federation. A vast majority of the Ukrainian forces ended up joining Russian side. If these are just a bunch of Russian sponsored drunks then lets have referendum and find out what the truth is.

[@gubroojatt]

Rascalndear1 Well then why not allow a referendum. Because they know if they held such referendums in eastern Ukraine, a good majority of people dont want to be part of this whore country.

[@crislamont4174]

1:24 HAMMERED

[@Contrrazvedka]

Шел 2020. Бог объединил Новороссию и защищает от нацистской нечисти. Пока они беснуются. Верим что скоро вы будете с нами вместе русские братья. ⬛️🟦🟥🇷🇺🇷🇸

[@Вьєтконг]

АХАХАХХААХХ

[@pacivalmuller9333]

@@Вьєтконг Already in army defending Ukraine?

[@wertyuiopmax2600]

1:20 - That was NOT a vodka.

[@asylumDAYS]

Слава Украине Слава Слава Слава 🙌🏻 🇺🇦

[@TheItzdrey]

Ukraine has been under Russian influence for over 20 years and whats the result? Ukraine is one of the poorest nations in Europe. For all those saying the EU is gonna ruin Ukraine, just look at Poland, its people are doing a lot better than anyone in Ukraine or Russia