The infighting begins - Pro Russian Rebels are solidifying their control of their soldiers

[purvisdavid1]

[url]http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/batman-pro-russian-separatist-death-blamed-ukraine-separatists-1481805[/url]

[quote=International Business Times]Pro-Russian separatist Alexandr Bednov, known as "Batman", has reportedly been killed.

The website of the Luhansk People's Republic claims he was killed by Ukrainian security forces. Bednov's death was also reported by sites in Russia such as reportage24 (translation here).

There is confusion over who killed Bednov, as some reports claim he died at the hands of other pro-Russian separatists who tired of his violent methods, which reportedly included running a torture chamber. Other online rumours claim Bednov – a former reserve officer for Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs – is not dead at all.

LiveLeak is reporting that Bednov was killed on New Year's Day: "According to the commander DSHRG 'Rusich' and ANNA journalist Marat Musin the hero of the defense of Lugansk, Chief of Staff of the Fourth Brigade Aleksandr Aleksandrovich Bednov call-sign "Batman" was killed this morning near the village Georgievka. Two cars carrying Bednov and militia members were caught in an ambush and fired upon at point blank range with grenade launchers. Six others besides Bednov died."

The page carries what appear to be graphic images of the aftermath of the attack. However, the same report continues: "Preliminary information suggests this might be the result of internal political strife in the LNR. Some reports suggest that Bednov may still be alive and under arrest."[/quote]

[url]http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ukraine-rebel-batman-battalion-commander-killed-27987542[/url]

[quote=ABC News] A Ukrainian security official says a prominent rebel commander in the separatist eastern region of Luhansk has been killed.

A website of the separatist Luhansk People's Republic said that Alexander Bednov, head of a battalion called "Batman," was killed Thursday when separatist security forces tried to arrest him. An arrest warrant for Bednov and several other battalion members had been issued by the separatists' prosecutor's office for murder, abduction and other abuses.

Volodymyr Poleviy, a spokesman for Ukraine's security council, said Sunday that he could confirm Bednov's death, but that he couldn't give further details.

There have been previous cases of infighting among rebels. In May, a battalion of murky origin ousted some rebels from their headquarters in Donetsk, ostensibly angered over a supermarket ransacking.[/quote]

[url]https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/rebels-killing-spurs-war-between-luhansk-insurgent-groups-376893.html[/url]

[quote=Kyiv Post]The leadership of the Kremlin-backed unrecognized Luhansk People’s Republic is now facing a violent crisis, waging an effective war with rival insurgent groups in the same region.

Analysts have attributed the infighting to a period of relative calm during Ukraine’s war with Russia, worsening economic conditions and efforts by the Kremlin and Igor Plotnitsky, head of the self-proclaimed republic, to introduce centralized administration and crack down on independent militias.

“This reflects the relatively calm situation on the front,” said political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko, head of the Kyiv-based Penta research group. “As a result, conflicts have intensified.”

He added that the situation in the Luhansk People’s Republic contrasted with that in the Donetsk People’s Republic, where the insurgent leadership’s authority is not challenged by rival groups.

The conflict flared up after Alexander Bednov, head of the republic’s Batman military unit, was killed by men loyal to Plotnitsky on Jan. 1. Bednov’s supporters have accused Plotnitsky of murder, saying that Bednov’s car was ambushed and burned with Shmel rocket launchers, while those who jumped out of the car were killed with either machine guns or assault rifles.[/quote]

WARNING FOR THE FAINT. Though not the worst NSFW link, it does have a picture of 1 body beside a destroyed car.

[url]http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=af5_1420163813[/url]

And in news I can't verify, though I believe there is no problem in discussing, it appears this is an effort by LNR authorities to solidify their control over their soldiers.

[url]http://lugansk-news.com/russian-army-units-in-krasnodon-blocked-the-base-of-local-terrorists-at-least-4-russian-bpm-97-vystrel-in-the-video/[/url]

[turing]

well this was bound to happen really

[Govna]

Good. Bednov's dead. Hope this leads to more infighting and helps weaken the rebels in the long run.

[AmfleetII]

[QUOTE=Govna;46898828]Good. Bednov's dead. Hope this leads to more infighting and helps weaken the rebels in the long run.[/QUOTE]

This is Ukraine's best chance for victory, but I suspect if it gets too out of hand, more organized groups that are closer to Russia will just roll in and clean house (namely the Vostok Battalion).

Kind of like what they did in Donetsk at the end of this video:

[video=youtube;woD44CsR4jg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woD44CsR4jg[/video]