Putin is farcically lying about 1. We can even identify specific units sent (for example the “East” battallion sent to Dzhankoy). Not even mentioning, e.g. russian license plates on military tech. Putin’s claim that the troops wear uniforms “that you can buy in any store” are widely ridiculed in the Russosphere. The troops in the Crimea are Russian infantry Spetsnaz.
2: there might be some scope for Russian troop presence, but I did not read the agreement in detail. Not willing to pass judgement yet.
4: legitimacy is a matter of interpretation, so a tie.
Russian state TV is farcically lying about 5 (e.g. they are showing footage of what is supposed to be the Ukrainian/Russian border with a string of refugees, but is in reality the Ukrainian/Polish border identifiable by landmarks, with regular car traffic).
8: it is difficult to say because of the possibility of “black ops.” I have heard an account from a Crimean Rabbi that there was a swastika graffiti that appeared the day after Russian troops arrived (and this sort of thing never happened before).
9: I don’t know what Putin is trying to say here.
10: there is some radical influence in the Rada, but I do not think the radicals form anywhere near a dominant majority.
Will add to this post as I collect my thoughts:
Putin is farcically lying about 1. We can even identify specific units sent (for example the “East” battallion sent to Dzhankoy). Not even mentioning, e.g. russian license plates on military tech. Putin’s claim that the troops wear uniforms “that you can buy in any store” are widely ridiculed in the Russosphere. The troops in the Crimea are Russian infantry Spetsnaz.
2: there might be some scope for Russian troop presence, but I did not read the agreement in detail. Not willing to pass judgement yet.
4: legitimacy is a matter of interpretation, so a tie.
Russian state TV is farcically lying about 5 (e.g. they are showing footage of what is supposed to be the Ukrainian/Russian border with a string of refugees, but is in reality the Ukrainian/Polish border identifiable by landmarks, with regular car traffic).
8: it is difficult to say because of the possibility of “black ops.” I have heard an account from a Crimean Rabbi that there was a swastika graffiti that appeared the day after Russian troops arrived (and this sort of thing never happened before).
9: I don’t know what Putin is trying to say here.
10: there is some radical influence in the Rada, but I do not think the radicals form anywhere near a dominant majority.