More Russian Dirty Tricks in Ukraine

Perhaps there are no surprises here, but it’s worth a quick look regardless:

The New York Times reports that photos and descriptions circulated by the Kiev government show that some of the so-called “green men” — gunmen who have seized government buildings and demanded Crimea-style referenda on becoming part of Russia — have been identified in other photos as being among Russian troops.

The Times also reports that one of the men in the photos has been identified as Igor Ivanovich Strelkov, a veteran Russian military and intelligence operative. Strelkov is believed to have served Russia undercover both in Crimea and in the city of Slovyansk, one of the centers of the most recent unrest.

What’s the opposite of dovetail? Whatever it is, that’s what this story does with Rasmussen’s latest numbers on American sentiment in Eastern Europe:

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 27% of Likely U.S. Voters think the United States should get more directly involved in the situation in the Ukraine if the political violence continues there. Fifty-eight percent (58%) say the United States should leave the Ukrainian situation alone.

A vigorous and imaginative diplomatic effort could overcome that domestic ennui, deal us back into the game, and buy us back some prestige. What we’re likely to get however is more of what I’ve come to call “petulant impotence.”