DONETSK: The resignations were abrupt and unexpected, two quick-fire blows to a separatist movement already suffering reversals on the battlefield of eastern Ukraine.

Alexander Borodai, the premier of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, and Igor Strelkov, his military commander, had together formed the rebels’ leadership against Ukrainian troops since armed men first seized state buildings across eastern Ukraine in April.

Friends from Moscow and comrades in arms, they were viewed by the separatists and by Kiev as Russia’s men. Their successive departures in the past two weeks may mark a turning point in a conflict which has dragged ties between Russia and the West to their lowest since the Cold War.

Among separatist ranks, the news has fuelled fears that other Russian fighters may abandon the insurgency.

Interviews with rebel fighters and recorded conversations of rebel leaders provided by Ukrainian security services reveal a separatist movement struggling for survival against larger and better-equipped Ukrainian forces.

Some rebels, speaking on condition of anonymity, see the command changes as an attempt by Moscow to distance itself from the conflict. The United States and European Union have accused Russia of training and arming the separatists and imposed economic sanctions on Moscow.

One rebel source said the new leadership was meant to bring about a “de-escalation” of the conflict — a term used by the West in demanding Russia turn off financial and military support to the rebels. The Kremlin denies such involvement.

Another rebel source said Borodai and Strelkov, whose real name is Igor Girkin, slipped into Russia last week under cover provided by armed separatists. Self-styled deputy prime minister Vladimir Antufeyev confirmed that Strelkov had left the region.

A recording of separatist leaders released by Ukraine’s state security service suggested more Russian citizens fighting in Ukraine were looking to leave. A rebel fighter told Reuters the insurgency was in a critical phase.

Much about the circumstances of Borodai and Strelkov’s departures is unknown, and it is difficult to tell yet whether they mark a change of tactics or a winding down of Russian support.

Rebel website Novorossiya reported 1,000 fighters, more than 100 armoured vehicles and new weapons supplies had been promised in return for Strelkov’s resignation.

The rebel region’s new prime minister, Alexander Zakharchenko, said in a video after Strelkov’s resignation that 1,200 fighters trained in Russia and more than 100 military vehicles were joining the fight. He later denied making the comments.

Any sign that Russia is increasing its support of the rebels would cast doubt on Moscow’s sincerity in saying it seeks a negotiated settlement to a crisis triggered earlier this year by the ousting of Ukraine’s pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovich.

Strelkov made his name defending the stronghold of Slaviansk, downing Ukrainian aircraft and leading tactical manoeuvres. The loss of his experience is a setback for the separatists as the Ukrainian army gains ground along the border through which Kiev says Moscow has ferried weapons and fighters to rebels.

Zakharchenko said Strelkov was simply going on a month-long vacation.

Some in the rebel ranks suggest the leadership changes were an attempt to give a more local face to a conflict that had been led mostly by Russian nationals, fuelling discontent among Ukrainian fighters and strengthening Western assertions that Vladimir Putin was pulling the strings.

The US and EU introduced their latest round of sanctions against Moscow following the downing of a Malaysian airliner over rebel held territory in July.

“I know the reaction of people who saw Putin at the moment when the information [about the Malaysian plane] was delivered to him. It was a reaction of absolute shock,” rebel commander Alexander Khodakovsky, leader of the rebel Vostok Battalion, told Reuters last month.

Changes in the rebel leadership come as Moscow appears to be dialling down its rhetoric.

Putin is due to meet with Ukraine’s Poroshenko on Aug 26, along with the EU and Kazakhstan and Belarus.

The Russian president’s most recent speech in Crimea was conciliatory in tone. Unusually for a Putin set-piece speech — it was not broadcast live on state television and news bulletins only made brief mentions.

Those at the top of the insurgency said the reshuffle aimed at combining a political and military leader in one role — in Zakharchenko who replaced Borodai as premier last week.—Reuters

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2014