Commando raid against barricades in eastern Ukraine; might Russia respond?

Sloviansk Barricade, Pre-Raid (Александр Сирота)

Ukraine sent in commandos to eliminate some barricades in Sloviansk, Ukraine:

April 24, 2014

Ukraine crisis: Barricades burn after commando raid

The Ukrainian government says its forces have moved on the eastern city of Sloviansk a pro-Russian separatist stronghold.

According to the interior ministry, three checkpoints manned by illegal armed groups were destroyed. It said at least five people it described as terrorists were killed. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-27145804

Russia has indicated that it would take steps if military actions escalated and involved the government in Kiev and has increased military exercises:

April 24, 2014

MOSCOW — Russia said Thursday that it would undertake military drills along the Ukrainian border in response to a mobilization by Ukrainian government forces against pro-Russian militias in eastern Ukraine, the country’s defense minister said.

The move was certain to sharply raise tensions with the United States and its Western allies, who have demanded repeatedly that Russia cease its efforts to stir unrest in eastern Ukraine and desist from military action along the border, where the Kremlin has massed as many as 40,000 troops.

The defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, said that the exercises would include troop movements on the ground as well as flights by the Russian air force. Mr. Shoigu also complained about NATO exercises in Poland and the Baltics, which the alliance announced recently in response to previous Russian threats of military intervention in Ukraine.

“The starting gun on the use of weapons against their own civilians has already been fired,” Mr. Shoigu said, according to the Interfax news service. “If today this military machine is not stopped, it will lead to a large number of the dead and wounded.”

“We have to react to such developments,” Mr. Shoigu, was quoted as saying.

Ukrainian forces were reported to be mobilizing in the eastern part of the country against pro-Russian separatists on Thursday in what appeared to be a limited action on the outskirts of Slovyansk, a stronghold of militants allied with the Kremlin.

Elsewhere, the Ukrainian interim authorities said Thursday that “civilian activists” had regained control of City Hall in the southeastern city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov, forcing pro-Russian protesters to leave without bloodshed. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/25/world/europe/ukraine-crisis.html?_r=0

April 24, 2014

SLOVYANSK, Ukraine — Russian President Vladimir Putin has said there will be consequences if Ukraine’s new government uses the army against its own people, the Interfax news agency reported, on a day when Kiev said its forces have killed five militants as part of an operation to clear pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine…

Interfax carried Putin’s comments which were delivered on Russian TV.

Putin said that “If the Kiev government is using the army against its own people this is clearly a grave crime.” He said that the recent events in eastern Ukraine proved that Russia’s decision to annex Crimea was the correct one…

At a secessionist checkpoint on the road to Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine, 60-year-old Alexander Malinovsky was helping check cars on the main artery. Dressed in faded camouflage fatigues but carrying no weapon, he said the people here want peace and protection from Kiev which they accuse of aggression.

“We’re not terrorists,” he said. “We just want to live on our own land.”

At a former livestock feed plant, a group of heavily armed militia manned a smoking barricade they said was attacked by Ukrainian forces earlier today. Holding up a glossy photo of a dark-haired youth, the self-proclaimed people’s mayor of Slovyansk, Vyachislav Ponomaryov said the man had been killed and another wounded. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/04/24/ukraine-russia-crisis/8085459/

The USA and EU want to support the Kiev government, and likely have made military-related suggestions–these raids may have partially been the result of consultations with the West. Russia is not pleased with what is going on with the raids.

People in Ukraine are aware that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has made statements to the effect that he wants all territory that was once part of the old Soviet Union to either be part of the Russian Federation or his upcoming Eurasian Union. And that includes some or all of Ukraine. He already has Crimea. Bible prophecy tells of a Eurasian confederation with Russian involvement (see Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future), and Vladimir Putin seems determined to try to make that type of confederation happen (see The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy ).

Ukraine is in a difficult spot. If it takes no action, there may be more unrest in the east, and by taking action, this could trigger more unrest in the east, as well as direct Russian intervention.

Ukraine also has serious economic problems and these tensions are not helping that.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? Here is a link to a video sermon titled Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy.
Ukraine in Prophecy? What is happening in Ukraine? What is known and what is unsure about its future? What is the origin of those who live in Ukraine? What does the Bible teach about the role of the Medes in the end times? Will Ukraine split? Why might part of Ukraine end up in the European Union? Why might part of Ukraine end up in the Eurasian Union? Is war in the prophesied future for Ukraine? What is the ultimate destiny for nearly all Ukrainians?
The Eurasian Union, the Kings of the East, and Bible Prophecy Is there a Eurasian union that will be formed? Is one being formed right now? Are any leaders working on that in the 21st century? Does the Bible teach that there will be a Eurasian union? If some type of Eurasian union is formed, who might it benefit and who will it destroy? A related video would be Is The Eurasian Union Rising?
Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?
Wars, rumors of wars, and the Apocalypse Jesus foretold a time before the end where there would be wars and rumors of wars. The Apocalypse (the Book of Revelation) warns of the red horseman of war. Now, even secular writers, like Larry Edelson, are worried that wars and rumors of war are the most menacing problem that now haunts the earth? Are they right? What is the solution? This is a video.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2014, 2015, or 2016? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2013 o 2014? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
Blood Moons and Prophecy There are four ‘blood moons’ expected in 2014 and 2015. Do they signal the Day of the Lord or the return of Jesus Christ? A related YouTube video is also available: Blood Moons, Prophecy, 2014, and 2015.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.