Russia Follows Crimean Playbook in Eastern Ukraine

• Pro-Russian operators have seized Ukrainian government buildings in 3 eastern cities, including Kharkiv where Spectechnoexport has a military vehicle plant. Separatists in Donetsk declared independence and announced a referendum on May 11, right when pro-Russian mobs seemed to be waning.

• Russia’s RIA Novosti notes that Ukraine puts mothballed Mig-29s back in service, but also the self-admitted sorry state of Ukrainian readiness.

• Poland will keep 18 of its 32 old Su-22M strike fighters until 2024, as part of a complex set of choices that were partly tied to Poland’s selection of its new trainers. When Poland opted for lowest-bid over dual-use capability, retaining its close air support fighters was inevitable, but compatible weapon shortages will create interesting problems. Maybe the USA should just sell them decommissioned A-10Cs?