Pentagon: Russia moving more missile launchers to Ukrainian separatists

Grad Missile Launch Vehicle

The Pentagon claims that Russia in moving more military equipment into eastern Ukraine:

July 25, 2014

The Pentagon warned Friday that an “imminent” delivery of Russian artillery to separatists battling government forces in eastern Ukraine creates “a great concern” for civilian casualties.

Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, said intelligence sources determined that Russia is prepared to transfer a rocket launcher more powerful and potentially more deadly than the separatists currently have. Those rebels are suspected in last week’s downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17.

The launcher fires surface-to-surface missiles, as opposed to the SA-11 surface-to-air system believed responsible for the downing, Warren said.

He said the advent of the Russian artillery, and potential volleys into Ukraine, pose “a great concern.” They’re not precision munitions, he added, “and unquestionably there is an increased risk of civilian casualties.”

“We believe that they are able to transfer this equipment at any time,” Warren said of the Russians, noting the United States continues “to work closely with the Ukrainians” on several levels, including by supplying nonlethal aid.

The U.S. has sent investigators from at least two federal agencies – the FBI and National Transportation and Safety Board – to assist with the crash investigation…

Ukrainian offensive

Elsewhere, the French news agency AFP reported Ukrainian troops have retaken the strategically important city of Lysychansk in eastern Ukraine, as they press on with their offensive to stamp out a pro-Russian rebellion, Poroshenko said.

“Ukrainian forces have raised the flag over the town council in Lysychansk,” the presidency said in a statement late Thursday.

Lysychansk – a city of around 105,000 some 90 kilometers northwest of the rebel stronghold of Luhansk – was seized by separatists in early April at the start of a bloody insurgency that has now claimed the lives of some 1,000 people, including the nearly 300 on board downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, AFP reported. http://www.voanews.com/content/australia-to-send-100-more-officers-to-crash-site/1964909.html

July 25, 2014

KIEV, Ukraine — Responding to strong advances by the Ukrainian military against insurgents in the week since the downing of a passenger jet, Russia has stepped up its direct involvement in the hostilities in eastern Ukraine, Ukrainian and American officials say. It has unleashed artillery attacks on Ukrainian positions from Russian territory and amassed heavy weapons along the border that could be pushed across to prolong the fighting, they say.

American officials, citing military intelligence, including satellite images, warned that Russia appeared to be preparing to arm the rebels with more high-powered weaponry — including tanks and armored vehicles — than it had previously supplied.

Among the achievements of the Ukrainian forces was the retaking, following days of intense fighting, of Lysychansk, a rebel stronghold that had posed a strategic obstacle to government troops pressing an advance through the Luhansk region from the north and the west. The Ukrainian military had called in air support as ground troops struggled to expel the insurgents from the city of more than 100,000, on the right bank of the Seversky Donets River.

The reports of increased hostilities suggest that instead of de-escalating its military intervention in Ukraine in the aftermath of the Malaysia Airlines jet’s downing — by a missile the United States and Ukraine say was supplied by Russia — Moscow is devoting even more firepower to the cause, despite international condemnation and the imposition of tougher United States sanctions. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/26/world/europe/russian-artillery-fires-into-ukraine-kiev-says.html?_r=0

July 25, 2014

Fresh evidence that Russia is directly shelling Ukrainian military targets is stoking concerns that Vladimir Putin feels increasingly comfortable running roughshod over his neighbors in defiance of the U.S. and Europe, putting pressure on the Obama administration to draw a red line that even Moscow can see.

“Putin seems like he’s unchecked,” Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told Fox Business Network, calling the latest Russian involvement a “clear escalation.”

The Obama administration has taken a decidedly tougher tone than Europe against Putin since the start of the Ukraine crisis, but a failure to act in concert has left the Russian leader testing his limits — to alarming results. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/07/25/unchecked-putin-puts-pressure-on-obama-to-take-decisive-action/

July 25, 2014

Russia has accused the US of launching a “smear campaign” over its alleged involvement in the conflict in Ukraine.

The foreign ministry in Moscow said on Friday it rejects “unfounded public insinuations” from the US government.

But the Pentagon says it believes the movement of Russian heavy-calibre artillery systems across the border into Ukraine is “imminent.”

The row comes as more bodies of victims from flight MH17, which crashed in Ukraine, arrived in the Netherlands…

On Thursday, a US state department spokesperson said there was also evidence Russian troops were firing on Ukrainian soldiers from within Russia.

But in a statement, Russia’s foreign ministry said the US was pushing “anti-Russian cliches” to protect their allies in Kiev by obscuring the “real reasons for events in Ukraine”.

The BBC’s Sarah Rainsford in Moscow says that amid all the accusations of war-mongering, it seems Russia is keen to stress that so far, it has actually shown restraint. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28492474

The European Union intends some additional, but somewhat limited, sanctions:

July 25, 2014

(Reuters) – The European Union reached outline agreement on Friday to impose the first economic sanctions on Russia over its behavior in Ukraine but scaled back their scope to exclude technology for the crucial gas sector.

The sanctions on access to capital markets, arms and hi-tech goods are also likely to apply only to future contracts, leaving France free to go ahead with the controversial delivery of Mistral helicopter carriers being built for Russia. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/25/us-ukraine-crisis-eu-idUSKBN0FU0Y820140725

The European Union (EU) wants to grow and expand, the USA wants it to, and Russia in not pleased. Both the EU and Russia want Ukraine, and the USA backs the EU on this.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin, thus far, has seemed to take a guarded approach from time-to-time, but sanctions have not changed his objections or goals.

Which remain?

To get as much of the territory of the old Soviet Union to be in his new Eurasian Union. He also does not want to be remembered as the Russian leader that gave up Ukraine. He already has part of it (Crimea) and certainly would like to have as much of that territory as possible. He wants it all, but is intent on gaining as much as the Russian-speaking east as he can.

Hillary Clinton seems to basically realize this:

July 25, 2014

“He [Putin] has a strategic plan in mind, the Eurasian Union, which would be in competition to Europe,” Clinton said. “His continuing efforts to intimidate Europeans — not just through energy, but through interfering in elections, putting money behind buying press outlets in European countries … trying to discourage countries like Ukraine being able to join the European Union.”

“And if the United States and Europe don’t present a united front, I think Putin is the kind of man who will go as far as he can get away with. I think he is still smart enough and cautious enough to be pushed back. But there has to be a push in order to make that happen.” http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/25/world/europe/hillary-clinton-vladimir-putin-mh17/

Politically, taking this stand related to Vladimir Putin could help Hillary Clinton should she run for USA president, though it may make it more difficult for her if she is elected and he is in power. She and he have traded barbs with each other before (see Vladimir Putin comments on Hillary Clinton’s comments about him).

As neither the USA nor Europe intend to fight Vladimir Putin militarily (though they may provide assistance to Kiev, as they have already done), that indicates that Vladimir Putin expects to push towards territorial gains where he can, whether or not that involves economic or military pressures, or both.

A Eurasian confederation led by Russia is consistent with biblical prophecy (Jeremiah 50:9, 41-46), and although that final confederation is not near-ready yet, Russia’ Putin wants to make it happen as soon as he can.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Russia and Ukraine: 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? You can also watch the short video Ukraine in Prophecy?
Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy Is Russia mentioned in the Bible? It it is where is it? Is there any evidence of a people moving to the land that the Russians now occupy? What do Catholic and other prophecies say about Russia? What does the Bible teach? How are Protestants often in error on this? Is there more in biblical prophecy for Russia than war? Does God have a plan to save Russia and her allies? Does Russia have a history involving Sabbath keepers? Does scripture tie Russia in with Armageddon? Will Russia help defeat the end time Babylonian power? What did the Apostle John, and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, write about Russia? This is a sermon-length video.
Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day? Is Ezekiel 38 about to be fufilled? A related video is available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?
Bible News Prophecy July-Sept. 2014: The Coming Eurasian Union Here is the latest magazine from the Continuing Church of God. The cover of which shows Vladimir Putin and features an article about the coming Eurasian Union.
Hillary Clinton in Prophecy Prophecy, Hillary Clinton? Are there prophecies that Hillary Clinton may fulfill? Are there any prophecies that she has already helped fulfill? Could Hillary Clinton be apocalyptic? Could Hillary Clinton be the final Antichrist?
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.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
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.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? You can also see a YouTube video sermon The Gospel of the Kingdom.
Just What Do You Mean the Kingdom of God? A booklet that was written by Herbert Armstrong answers questions about the Kingdom.
Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous.
World War III: Steps in Progress Are there surprising actions going on now that are leading to WWIII? Might a nuclear attack be expected? Does the Bible promise protection to all or only some Christians? How can you be part of those that will be protected? A related video would be Is World War III About to Begin? Can You Escape?
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 sermonette-length video.
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?
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?
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
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.