For Putin, the rout was an extraordinary humiliation. Russia’s ministry of defense claimed it was carrying out a “planned” transfer of units to separatist areas, relocating them east of the Oskil River, about ten miles from Izium. Far-right nationalist bloggers were furious. They accused the military leadership in Moscow of incompetence. The evidence was there for anyone to see. The Ukrainian side took possession of T-80 tanks, ammunition stores, and other equipment left behind by the retreating invaders during their flight from Izium. The supplies were a gift from “Russian Lend Lease,”
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