Russian troops are Russian citizens, inscripted into the Russian army. Separatists are Ukrainian citizens that think they would do better in Russia. They're not the same, even if you want to label them such. As someone who has spent years in Russia, there is a big difference- I promise you. If Russia wanted to, it could secure the whole of the Ukraine in a matter of a few weeks - ceasefire or no. As for the Ukraine saying that Moscow is providing direct help, I have never seen any proof of this. Where are the photos? Where are the videos? Surely there is satellite footage the US can share! Have a nice read on some of this. http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/07/ukraine-caught-in-third-major-lie-magic.html
I'm probably wrong but I did see some satellite images the Russian's claimed were from a video game or some such. Does that ring a bell?
Four surgeons were taking a coffee break and were discussing their work. The first one said, "I think accountants are the easiest to operate on. Everything inside is numbered." "I think librarians are the easiest" said the second surgeon. "When you open them up all their organs are alphabetically ordered". The third surgeon said, "I prefer to operate on electricians. All their organs are color coded". The fourth one said, "I like to operate on lawyers. They're heartless, spineless, gutless, and their head and their behind are interchangeable."
You mean like this? http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/0...ut-to-be-images-from-video-games-lavrov-says/ Or this? Several hundred Russian troops killed in the Ukraine. http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/08/28/uk-ukraine-crisis-russia-casualties-idUKKBN0GS20H20140828 Are you actually trying to claim that Russia has no interest in the Ukraine? That they have played no part at all? That they have not provided a single thing in support? If that's the case my friend, you may want to apply for a job in the Obama administration. Denying reality is a much sought after skill.
The first image from this link shows what is obviously a convoy and sources all agree it is inside the Ukraine. However, it was claimed to be a humanitarian aid convoy that delivered aid and supplies to worn torn regions. Whether it delivered actual aid or military supply to Ukrainian separatists is a different story. No one seems to have any proof either way, but a lot of folks seem to be comfortable speculating. Ah, well if Ella and Sergei said it, I'm convinced! Now, I did see that some paratroopers landed over the border and were detailed without resisting by Ukrainian authorities. That link is here. Of course I'm not claiming that. What I AM claiming is several things: 1. Russia's interest was really in the Crimea - it has no interest in the rest of the Ukraine outside of keeping it as a buffer between it and NATO (which is what started all this in the first place - the West trying to change that status despite past pledges that it would keep Ukraine a buffer zone). 2. If Russia wanted the Ukraine, it would simply take it. The Ukrainian military is no match for a Russian army. None. Russian interest in the Ukraine is therefore more likely to be support to separatists and an ongoing attempt at driving instability to force a settlement similar to what existed pre-conflict. 3. There is quite clearly a desire in the western war machine to push military escalation and isolation of Russia - it is evident in the media, the administration and the European allies. But, as in Syria, it is not a lot of fact, a whole lot of propaganda, and an overall attempt to influence the world stage. Personally, I prefer to distrust this administration as their past has been somewhat sketchy to say the very least.