Vice News: Russian Roulette - The Invasion of Ukraine – Season August 2014
Episodes
Ukrainian Military Recaptures Occupied Cities
After the Ukrainian military recaptured various cities across eastern Ukraine this week, VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky visited Debaltseve, a town at a strategic crossroads between Donetsk and Luhansk. The army appeared to be using the victory in Debaltseve to isolate those two rebel-held cities while it prepared to retake the MH17 crash site. Its successful campaign has come at a high cost of civilian deaths and troop casualties, however, forcing refugees to flee the fighting as the army works its way south.
The Road to the MH17 Crash Site
Over the past week, the Ukrainian military has recaptured a number of cities across eastern Ukraine. In this dispatch, VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky heads towards the MH17 crash site, as the Ukrainian military has successfully recaptured the cities surrounding it. On his way there, he visits a former separatist checkpoint and dugout, where he finds artillery the separatists used — some of which dates as far back as World War II.
The American Volunteer in the Donbas Battalion
In this dispatch, VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky interviews an American volunteer in the Donbas Battalion to find out why he joined the unit, and what he thinks about the crisis in Ukraine.
Euromaidan Activists Attacked and Arrested in Kiev
In our latest dispatch from Ukraine, VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky arrives at a scene in Kiev where a group of Euromaidan activists are being detained by a group of men from the Kiev 1 Battalion — a volunteer policing unit made up largely of former Euromaidan activists. The activists have held their camp at Kiev’s Independence Square since this past winter, and were apparently also occupying a restaurant near the square — until the Kiev 1 Battalion was called upon to remove them. Amid differing versions of the story, it becomes clear that a twist in the Ukraine conflict is emerging, as players in the revolution are showing signs of turning against each other.
The Revolution Turns Against Itself
Clashes in Kiev have escalated between the Kiev Battalions and activists still occupying the city's Maidan Square. With the Kiev Battalions being comprised largely of former Maidan activists, the clashes are further evidence that the revolution that took place last winter is showing signs of splintering and turning against itself. In this dispatch, VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky speaks with both the leader of the Kiev 2 Battalion and Maidan activists on the square.
Donetsk Residents Sift Through the Rubble
In VICE News’ latest dispatch from eastern Ukraine, we visit the rebel-held town of Donetsk to speak with locals about the damage done to their homes and property. The locals refer to the indiscriminate nature of the Ukrainian army's shelling, as well as the separatists seeming inability to protect them.
Fallen Rebel Fighters Treated in Russia
Last week, a VICE News crew traveled to the Rostov Region in Russia, which is on the border of Ukraine, to investigate Moscow's involvement in the conflict. We visit a hospital where injured rebel fighters were brought by Russian forces to be treated for their injuries, and speak to them about their take on the current crises in Eastern Ukraine. Recently, Russia has engaged in a campaign of sending over humanitarian convoys over to Ukraine by day. But under the darkness of night, it is rumored that Russia has been sending weaponized columns over the border to aid the rebels.
Kiev Independence Day Parade Flaunts Artillery and Armor
On August 23, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to discuss Ukraine's place in the context of Europe. She also offered 500 million euros for the reconstruction of the Donbas region. The following day, a military parade was held in Kiev, in which high profile armor and artillery was displayed to crowds. Meanwhile, rebels in Donetsk held a counter march in Donetsk where they paraded their prisoners of war, as onlookers threw trash at the captives. Despite the high spirits at the Kiev parade, the display of equipment and artillery was perceived as a slap in the face to those fighting for Ukraine on the frontline — many of who are dying because they don't have the artillery and military equipment they need to put up a fight. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky attended the parade and interviewed members of volunteer battalions, who recounted their experiences on the frontline.