Top separatist leaders quit as Ukraine offensive grows

Two of the most senior rebels in eastern Ukraine have quit, deepening the disarray in a pro-Moscow separatist movement being pushed back by an Ukrainian military offensive.

The resignations yesterday came on the same day that artillery shells landed for the first time since the conflict began in the centre of the eastern city of Donetsk, the separatists’ main stronghold.

The reverses suffered by the rebels could force a tactical rethink by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

While he has denied directly helping the rebels, his strategy of keeping Ukraine from integrating with the West has benefited from having a part of the country under the control of pro-Moscow separatists.

The most prominent separatist to resign was ‘Colonel Igor Strelkov’, defence minister in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic.

Nicknamed “Strelok” — Shooter — by fighters under his command, he had previously lived quietly in a Moscow suburb where he was known as Igor Girkin. Kiev alleged he was a Russian intelligence officer, which Moscow denied.

The head of the self-proclaimed rebel government in Luhansk region, which neighbours Donetsk, also announced he was stepping down. Valery Bolotov said he was injured and could not carry on his duties.

A week ago, Alexander Borodai, prime minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic, also quit.

In Donetsk, a Reuters reporter was interviewing Andrei Purgin, deputy to the new separatist prime minister, when artillery shells landed nearby. !

Putin yesterday travelled to Crimea, the Ukrainian region his forces annexed earlier this year.

In a speech to Russian ministers and members of parliament, he struck a low-key conciliatory tone, saying he wanted to do everything he could to halt the bloodshed in Ukraine.

“We must calmly, with dignity and effectively, build up our country, not fence it off from the outside world.

“We need to consolidate and mobilise but not for war or any kind of confrontation… for hard work in the name of Russia.”

However, a huge Russian convoy heading slowly towards eastern Ukraine could be a new flashpoint. Moscow says it is carrying 2,000 tonnes of water, baby food and other aid for people in rebel-held areas.

Last night, the convoy had stopped about 20km from the border with Ukraine.