Explosion tonight at or near a military hospital in Kharkiv. Details to come.
Our own Brian Whitmore concluded much the same thing recently. His analysis is here:
Don't Mention The Cold War
More complete excerpts from Putin's comments at a National Security Council warning that Moscow must be vigilant against a "color revolution":
"The latest bloody crime in Jerusalem where prayers were attacked with an ax is an extraordinary outrage. Thus, as we know about it all, as we understand the dangers of similar manifestations, as we analyze the reasons behind such events, we ought to adopt timely decisions that would protect our country from things like that."
"In today's world extremism is very often being used as a geopolitical tool designed to redraw spheres of influence. We can see the tragic consequences of the wave of the so-called 'color revolutions' and the upheavals the people -- subjected to irresponsible experiments of latent or sometimes even brash, knee-jerk interference onto their lives -- have gone or continue going through. This is a lesson and a warning to us."
"Extremist ideology is taking hold of the virtual world from which it literary shoots out into the real life. Our society is rightly alarmed about these negative trends. It is obvious that prevention must be front-center when it comes to these issues."
"Prevention of extremism has nothing to do with a fight against dissent. Ours is a free and democratic country whose citizens have a right to their own opinions and a write to speak up. They have a right to be in opposition to the government. Moreover, the government will never be efficient without such social order."
Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow must do all it can to prevent extremism and stop "color revolutions" from reaching Russia.
He told his advisory Security Council on November 20 in Moscow that "we see what tragic consequences the wave of so-called color revolutions led to," referring to popular uprisings in former Soviet republics.
Moscow has charged the West with meddling in Ukraine, a charge that the EU and United States deny.
Separately, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said in Kyiv on November 20 that the EU and the United States should join Ukraine in forcing Russia to stick to a peace deal to end the separatist conflict there.
"Putin's actions are a threat to everyone, the global order, global peace," Yatsenyuk told a news conference.
Based on reporting by Reuters and Interfax
Like many farmers in Russia, Sergei Kulik is exploring ways to fill in the gaping void left by the sanctions. He has asked for government subsidies and hopes to expand his farm from its current 5 hectares to a total of 30 hectares. "The sanctions have led to empty shelves in terms of exotic seafood," he says. "So I think gourmets are suffering."
Read more of Claire Bigg and Andrei Kolokoltsev's piece here:
Russian Oysters? Foie Gras? Not A Problem, Say Farmers In Sanctions-Hit Russia
