Following yesterday’s tumultuous and contradictory news that Donetsk terrorist leader Igor “Strelkov” Girkin, a former Russian agent, had been “seriously injured” in a battle near the MH17 crash site in the Torez area, former Donetsk Republic (DNR) ‘prime minister’ Alexander Borodai has told Russian media that Girkin has resigned from his post as “minister of defense.” The DNR’s ‘council of ministers’ approved Girkin’s resignation, “in connection with his transfer to another job,” said the press center for the DNR. Borodai denied that Girkin had been injured yesterday, but did not give a reason for his disappearance.
I just recently parted with Igor, he’s all right. You probably already know it as well as I do, he resigned from his post. Already there is a new Minister of Defense for the DNR. Just like all the members of the government, except for me and Alexander Zakharchenko, he has been dubbed acting ‘Tsar’- that’s his call sign.
The real name of the ‘Tsar’, according to the DNR press center, is Vladimir Kononov, whose job as chief of defense will be approved tomorrow by the separatist ‘Supreme Soviet’. Girkin will also be recommended to the position of “First Deputy Minister/Chief of General Staff” at tomorrows meeting.
Speaking at a press conference, ‘people’s governor’ Pavel Gubarev said Kononov was “recommended as an old and reliable volunteer,” and declined to comment on Girkin’s alleged injury. If Girkin was indeed last seen in the Torez-Snizhne area, this would imply he was far away from the city of Donetsk, closer to Luhansk Republic forces. With Ukrainian forces strengthening their positions around the city, it’s possible a new military leader was needed.
Update:
It appears Girkin is still missing in action
MT @mashant: DNR leader Zakharchenko says #Strelkov has gone on vacation! Wouldn’t say where though. #ukraine Still MIA
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) August 15, 2014
