26 May 2014
Terrorists of the Donetsk People’s Republic converged on May 25 at the Donetsk mansion compound that serves as the residence of Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine’s biggest oligarch. By the evening, they claimed to have taken it under control, reportedly with the help of grenade launchers. Akhmetov was in Kyiv that day, according to news reports.
Zenon Zawada: It’s a bold move for the pro-Russian forces to challenge Akhmetov in such a direct way, given that the oligarch commands a great deal of respect among local residents. They have targeted Akhmetov because he declared his opposition to the separatists last week and has mobilized his workers and security forces against them. They will have a difficult time convincing him to change his position because Akhmetov has more to gain personally from a unitary Ukrainian state than a separate Donetsk Oblast. Moreover, the newly elected president is likely to launch a full scale military operation against the Donetsk terrorists.