Commentary by Russian blogger Donetsk.
A bit of background:
Igor Strelkov is a retired reserve colonel in the FSB who led the separatists initially, starting in Slavyansk. Strelkov is a call sign, owing to his past as a WWII reenactor (he was a Maxim machine gun gunner). His real family name is Girkin.
The big retreat from Slavyansk in July, 2014, under pressure from Ukrainian military and nationalist volunteers was ordered by Strelkov, a move that some separatist quarters regarded as unnecessary.
(I don't have an informed opinion on the issue since my reportage came a month later.)
There is little doubt, from what I know about the dynamic between Strelkov and the separatists, that Strelkov was a good tactical commander, but when it came to make the bigger decisions, he was terrible.
[DonRF] The news of the arrest of Igor Strelkov somehow affected many, both those who are in the subject and those who are not. For fools, the very posing of the question that a citizen of the Russian Federation can be arrested for trying to get into the ranks of the Russian Armed Forces caused a surge of happiness, although it would be necessary to sob here, smart careerists have pleasure :
It’s hard for me to call Strelkov’s emotional position regarding power constructive: I believe that To criticize is acceptable, to discredit is not. Otherwise, the principle of "together" is not respected. Believe me, in our time, the biggest feat for those who have something to say is to bite their tongue with a wish to shut up everyone and criticize silently, but for honest people:
But already now the number of gloating faggots that have surfaced is simply pleasing to the eye. Be more active. Don't hold back understanding.
In the end, everything is fine, but the colonel with vast experience in combat operations is still not in demand. And until the critical moment probably still won't be. More than sure. And it's not about some common cause, the problem is elsewhere. I would say jealousy and fear. Not states, no, individuals.
And the rest is inevitable - regardless of desires, I'm afraid. And the front and difficult times.