Below is the checkpoint from North Ossetia into Ingushetia… Actually, this is just a sliver of it, but security is extremely tight here and I had to exercise a significant amount of discretion just to get the rough picture below. Security is tight because in the minds of Russians, this marks a transition between friendly … Continue reading
This complex in Nazran, Ingushetia was opened in 1998 as a memorial to the Ingush and Chechen victims of Stalin’s brutality: The circle of pillars and arches ringing the interior of the memorial complex add a dramatic element and at the base of the structure are plaques honoring prominent Ingush – military heroes from different … Continue reading
We encountered this old boy while out exploring the Chechen countryside near Bamut and found him to be exceedingly photogenic: Photograph taken on 10/07/2014 There will be much more on Chechnya and the North Caucasus soon, but we have just returned and are still getting back up to speed… Continue reading
The below is a particularly interesting gem that comes courtesy of our friend on the ground in the Donetsk People’s Republic, Emir… It is an order signed by Igor Strelkov aka Igor Girkin authorizing looting by his forces inside the Donetsk People’s Republic. Emir has provided us with a side-by-side translation of the Russian and … Continue reading
Another gem from Emir – this sign below is now being posted up around the Donetsk area… Click on the image to bring it up to a readable size (Emir’s translation for us is on the right): With the battlefield momentum on the side of the Ukrainian military at the moment, it seems the … Continue reading
I’ve had concern expressed to me over the fact that our prior visit to Ukraine did not include the present zone of excitement nor are we there now… I’m afraid our prior visit was well before any of the recent turmoil started and we can’t be everywhere at once, but, fear not, faithful readers as … Continue reading
When I mention Transnistria, the reaction I have gotten from most people is “Trans-what? Where is that?” However, Transnistria is worth knowing about because it and Moldova are becoming significant. First off, I have included a map to show you where Transnistria is: I should mention that although it is most commonly known in English … Continue reading
The Velvet Rocket 