An Invasion is an invasion is an invasion.

An invasion is an invasion is an invasion. Some now are saying it’s an open “war” between Russia and Ukraine. No doubt, Putin escalated the crisis so that the separatists could turn the tide of Ukrainian military encircling the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. If Ukraine forces fall back, Moscow can get better conditions in the ultimate political settlement AND even get a land bridge to annexed Crimea.. The Kremlin’s goal is the same: Prevent Ukraine from moving West and joining EU and NATO.  I’ll be answering questions on Ukraine and Russia conflict at book event , Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, at J. Levine Books and Judaica, 5 West 30th st. NYC, bet. 12 noon and 2 pm on Tuesday, 9/9. Also ebk. , http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk. Follow me on twitter @bengfrank.

Russian stealth invasion of Ukraine

“…increasing number of Russian troops" are involved in the fighting in Ukraine, says US ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt. With stealth invasion of Ukraine, look for U.S. and NATO possibly to level more sanctions as well as supply Ukraine with “sophisticated arms.” I’ll be answering questions on Ukraine and Russia conflict at book event , Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, at J.Levine Books and Judaica, 5 West 30^th st. NYC, bet. 12 noon and 2 pm on Tuesday, 9/9. Also ebk. , http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk

A civil war is a civil war.

The rebel-led administration in Donetsk said they had introduced the death penalty for offences including treason, desertion and sabotage, according to the BBC. That’s what happens in a Civil War. Ask Klara Rasputnis of “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historical novel which captures the brutal Russian Civil War in the Ukraine a century ago. Both Reds and Whites signed on to those methods, too. “Klara’s Journey,” ebk formats, http://amzn.to/13Sp769  follow me on twitter @bengfrank

 

 

Jewish Refugee Crisis in Ukraine

 In what has been stated here previously as “the biggest Jewish refugee crisis in Ukraine since World War II, “ The Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)  reported that more than 500 Jews who fled Eastern Ukraine because of heavy fighting there, have been provided an aid program by JDC in such cities as Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Kharkov, Odessa. This follows the announcement of Chabad that about 250 Jewish refugees have been resettled in a Chabad refugee camp in Zhitomir.  Thousands of Jews have suffered because of the fighting  in Eastern Ukraine and every day more 1,000 people flee that conflict zone, according to the UN. Unfortunately, déjà vu, similar scenes in the Russian Civil War, which I researched in “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) http://amzn.to/13Sp769

 

 

Jewish Refugees in Eastern Ukraine

JEWISH REFUGEES IN EASTERN UKRAINE. Every day more than 1,000 people flee the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine, according to the United Nations. As for the Jewish community:  “This is the biggest Jewish refugee crisis in Ukraine since World War II,” exclaims Rabbi Sholom Gopin, speaking to Chabad.org from Zhitomer, where he is directing a refugee camp as he attempts to help community members resettle, at least temporarily. . Klara Rasputnis, of  “Klara’s Journey,  knew what it was to be a refugee. She went alone on a journey and confronted threadbare armies, famished beggars, violent protesters and her own hunger. http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk formats, follow me on twitter @bengfrank

 

Putin won't back down!

Putin unlikely to back down in crisis.  Russia raising the ante re sanctions by banning most food imports from the West. Both sides will suffer, farmers in the West and U.S. and “empty shelves” in Russia. And despite tension and massing of Russian troops on Ukrainian border, the Russians and Ukrainians are not shooting at each other----at least “directly.” For background, check out “Klara’s Journey,” a story of “betrayal, high drama and love.” Wherever books are sold.   http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk formats. Follow me on twitter @bengfrank. Also,take a look at my other two books on Russia!  “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” ( Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T and “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine, (Pelican Publishing).

 

 

 

One Year Anniversary of "Klara's Journey,"

This summer is the 1-year anniversary of the publication of “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press). Little did I know that this historical novel of the Russian Civil War would be very relevant to the current Russia-Ukrainian crisis and the new Cold War. Check out “Klara’s Journey,” a story of “betrayal, high drama and love.”  http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk formats. Follow me on twitter @bengfrank .

Refugees flee Donetsk and Luhansk.

As the fighting in eastern Ukraine intensifies between government forces and pro-Russian rebels, around the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, the UN says that in the past week alone 6,200 people have fled their homes. This Civil War brings a refugee crisis as it did when Klara Rasputnis fled Ukraine a hundred years ago. For background, check out “Klara’s Journey,” an historical novel, http://amzn.to/13Sp769 Ebk formats, follow me on twitter @bengfrank

 

The U.S. administration faces “some of the most challenging times in the relations between the U.S. and Russia since the end of the Cold War,” said the new U.S. ambassador to Russia, John F. Tefft. For background, check out my three books on Russia-Ukraine and its Jewish communities: “Klara’s Journey,” (Marion Street Press) an historical novel,  http://amzn.to/13Sp769; “The Scattered Tribe: Traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & Beyond,” ( Globe Pequot Press) http://amzn.to/J3Z47T and “A Travel Guide to Jewish Russia and Ukraine, (Pelican Publishing).