https://video.echelon.pl/videos/watch/f3fba85e-6cbc-4d16-a724-cf3e8ce4013b In July 2014, Moscow sent Russian political technologist Sergei Kurginian to Donetsk to calm the mood among the local ‘pro-Russian self-defence’ forces, which were a cover for the Russian Spetsnaz units that had been operating in the area since April. The Russians had initially promised the locals rapid military support and a 'repeat of Crimea', i.e. the swift annexation of the entire territory through a fait accompli. However, the Ukrainian army's effective mobilisation thwarted these plans, as this would have required the official introduction of Russian forces, which Moscow lacked the political and military capacity to do at the time. This resulted in growing frustration and disappointment among the locals, who did not understand why Moscow was delaying what they had been promised for so long and what was obvious to them. Kurginian's role was to ease tensions and demonstrate that, despite the political complexities, Moscow had not forgotten Donbas and was discreetly continuing to supply the 'militia' with weapons. In July, the Ukrainian air force was the biggest problem for Russian forces in Donbas, which is why Kurginian devotes a significant part of his lecture to anti-aircraft systems, including both man-portable (MANPADS) and advanced systems that can shoot down aircraft operating beyond the range of the former. Using allusions and carefully choosing his words, Kurginian makes it clear that advanced anti-aircraft systems will soon arrive in Donetsk. The lecture took place on 7 July 2014, and just ten days later, the whole world witnessed Moscow keeping its promise when Russian forces mistakenly shot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. Wed, 22 Apr 2026 19:13:36 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://video.echelon.pl https://video.echelon.pl/client/assets/images/icons/icon-512x512.png https://video.echelon.pl/videos/watch/f3fba85e-6cbc-4d16-a724-cf3e8ce4013b All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://video.echelon.pl/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.