Japan to accept 2 more wounded soldiers from Ukraine for treatment

The two soldiers are slated to be sent to the Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital in Tokyo

Military AID is great but Japan want to get involve with the Ukrainian war? Should stay out of the conflict. Not sure why Japan sticking their nose in to this dead end conflict. Its generous to help.

Anyone who experienced being admitted hospital in Japan know that you need to fill many form hospital, many confirmation and need to wait weeks for proper appointment. Hope those things won't happen to those people in this article.

Not sure why Japan sticking their nose in to this dead end conflict. Its generous to help.

Something called 'compassion' maybe? Like most people with a moral compass, Japanese people can see the injustice and barbarity of Russia's unprovoked invasion and shabby land grab.

Obviously your perverse politics prevents you from logic or compassion.

sakurasuki

Anyone who experienced being admitted hospital in Japan know that you need to fill many form hospital, many confirmation and need to wait weeks for proper appointment. Hope those things won't happen to those people in this article.

Simply not true why would you post that? I have hospital appointments the day after I phone.

Geez, 2 people

Simply not true why would you post that? I have hospital appointments the day after I phone.

Depends upon the hospital, and reason. The system here has changed a lot, with more and more "sogo" hospitals not taking patients unless they are first "introduced" from a local clinic or smaller hospital.

Without the "introduction" it can cost as much as ￥10,000 or more just to be seen, without a prior appointment, and you can wait at least 5 to 8 hours to be seen as well.

Two, oh. Is that for a PR ?

Better than nothing but now worth the news unless dozens are accepted.

As for hospitals in Japan, my local hospital a Sogo Byouin is very responsive. Taking patients quickly on the d day, treating patient quickly with no delay if there is any need for further treatment and if they can do it internally. It is a public hospital.

Geez, 2 people

Right why only 2? Well guess they are the lucky two. Has to suck to lose your legs. This could had all been prevent of uncessary death had Ukraine accepted the peace agreement.

nosukeToday  05:00 pm JST

The two soldiers are slated to be sent to the Self-Defense Forces Central Hospital in Tokyo

Military AID is great but Japan want to get involve with the Ukrainian war? Should stay out of the conflict. Not sure why Japan sticking their nose in to this dead end conflict. Its generous to help

How is providing medical aide too 2 men who lost their limbs getting involved in the war? These men will never be able to fight again, and so, Japan is showing empathy for these men whose country was invaded and being systematically destroyed day by day.

Only 2 men people are saying, really. The cost of fitting these men with artificial limbs, rehabilitation and travel expenses is a lot. How many other countries are bringing over lame men from the Ukraine and outfitting them with these same services?

Good on Japan. They've helped with the treatment of Ukrainian soldiers in the past - and will help more in the future.

Ukraine is a friend of Japan.

Just two!? why not more?

Only 2? That’s big of them.

As one of the wealthiest countries in the world I suspect they could scrape one or two yen from down the back of the sofa to help more than that.

Good for the 2 being helped but just 2 is PR.

They’re really rolling out the yellow and blue carpet out for these folks shame about the Sri Lankans and Kurdish…

Japan do not have Level 1 trauma center for ordinary Japanese,how in the hell can they battle related injuries,most local US hospital are able treat local gun shot wound,

I wish they would take care of more, but with two caveats.

More wounded civilians too.

Conscripts only. Ukraine can take care of her own volunteers.

In fairness, Japan should accept two wounded Russian soldiers.

13,000 are the total killed on both sides.

About 14,000 people were killed in the war: 6,500 Russian and Russian proxy forces, 4,400 Ukrainian forces, and 3,400 civilians on both sides of the frontline. The vast majority of civilian casualties were in the first year.

Fighto!: "Ukraine is a friend of Japan."

Yeah, except they refuse to cut business ties with Russia, like the oil projects.

It does say 2 "more" so perhaps no need to be so critical. Contribution is done in many ways, if you consider the cost of rehab, treatment, physio, and possible path to residency (as I doubt japan is going to hurry to deport them), it can add up.

In fairness, Japan should accept two wounded Russian soldiers

...into prison for invading a sovereign nation and murdering its citizens.

How many children died in Donetsk?

The largest number of child casualties comes from Donetsk, the epicenter of many battles, where 462 Ukrainian children have been killed or wounded, according to Ukrainian officials. May 26, 2023

Military operations in Ukraine have been going on since 2014.

Yes, this is when Russia first invaded Ukraine and started a war, killing Ukrainian citizens.

Putin said about it.

“Listen, but people in Donbass are not stray dogs. From 13 to 14 thousand people were killed during this time, over these years! More than 500 children were killed or maimed,” Putin stated.

Then Putin shouldn't have invaded Crimea.

All Russia soldiers in Urkaine must die painful, lonely deaths. The more of them that have a moment before they die to reflect on never being able to return to their homeland, the better. Especially if their komrads see it.

Losing a leg or even both need not prevent them from fighting. Douglas Bader lost both legs but still managed to defeat the Luftwaffe in WW2

KukuSep. 17 11:29 pm JST

Putin said about it. “Listen, but people in Donbass are not stray dogs. From 13 to 14 thousand people were killed during this time, over these years! More than 500 children were killed or maimed,” Putin stated.

But what is especially intolerable, according to the President of the Russian Federation, is that the so-called civilized West has chosen not to notice this for eight years.

Russia did a p*** poor job of bringing in international monitors to observe these killings. Nobody should take Putin at his word.

KukuSep. 17 11:29 pm JST

We also know Russia has gone for the decapitation strike and now resorts to bombing power plants and ports. Such savagery should not be tolerated with the smokescreen of protecting Donbass.

Sakurasuki

Anyone who experienced being admitted hospital in Japan know that you need to fill many form hospital, many confirmation and need to wait weeks for proper appointment. Hope those things won't happen to those people in this article.

Stop spreading false information here at who knows what government's orders! I got the necessary checks and appointments within the same day I requested them and there were close to no documents to fill. What many weeks are you babbling about?!

This could had all been prevent of uncessary death had Ukraine accepted the peace agreement.

And it could all have been avoided had Putin not invaded a sovereign country! Keep the focus on the one who is to blame!

Any assistance from Japan is welcome, never forget, the authorities did not have to do this. I hope the 2 soldiers can recover as best they can. The Ukraine is in desperate need of any assistance from where ever it comes.

Why bring them all the way to japan?

Makes no sense

They should have gone to a hospital in Europe or the main US army hospital in Germany.

And it could all have been avoided had Putin not invaded a sovereign country!

And it all could have been avoided if Kiev respect the wish of the people of Donbas to separate from Ukraine any time from 2014. Much the same with Crimea.

This is why I don't want Japan helping volunteers, but just the poor conscripts who wanted no part of this silliness but lost legs because they dragged of the street and forced to fight.

Keepyer InternetpointsToday 02:59 pm JST

And it could all have been avoided had Putin not invaded a sovereign country!

And it all could have been avoided if Kiev respect the wish of the people of Donbas to separate from Ukraine any time from 2014. Much the same with Crimea.

Sounds like something that is not in Russia's legal domain to enforce.

This is why I don't want Japan helping volunteers, but just the poor conscripts who wanted no part of this silliness but lost legs because they dragged of the street and forced to fight.

Like the ones forced to fight to keep their capital from being overrun by terrorists?

And it all could have been avoided if Kiev respect the wish of the people of Donbas to separate from Ukraine any time from 2014. Much the same with Crimea.

Cool idea. You and your chum Vlad can say goodbye to dozens of ethnic regions that want separation from Russia.

Chechens, Cossacks, Dagestanians, Siberians, Tatars, Circassians, Karelians, Turks, Finns, Turks and a myriad of other peoples thank you for giving them the right to be independent.

This is what you want, right?

Keepyer InternetpointsSep. 18 11:33 pm JST

YES! I have been saying this for weeks now. I don't take sides. I support the right to self-determination. I support principles, not governments, politicians, leaders, countries or any people. Principles. Period. Anyone doing otherwise is a sucker that winds up assisting evil.

Sounds like the kind of communist double talk that essentially gives you free license to undermine the country you live in until the Stalinist utopia you hope for arrives. It won't arrive and you wouldn't like it if it did. North Korea is always accepting new arrivals.

Like the ones kidnapped off the street by official Ukrainian police forces (terrorists) and then sent to their deaths on the front lines. The corporate media stopped reporting on this last year because people like you can't handle the truth. Do you even remember that Ukraine banned men from leaving the country?

I'll wager you haven't lived in a country under threat of annihilation. I mean I haven't either, but I can at least conceptually understand why martial law and conscription are necessary in such a scenario.

Its ugly and nasty that the Soviets shipped the Tartars out of Crimea 80 years ago, but the people who live there NOW ARE RUSSIAN, because that is their ethnicity, their culture, and their wish, and Ukraine having dominion over them is DEAD WRONG. Its the same in Donbas. Besides, Crimea was part of Russia for hundreds of years before a drunken Khrushchev turned it over to Soviet Ukraine.

The UN Charter, the Belovezha Accords, and the Budapest Memorandum all disagree with you.

The U.S. press lied about Vietnam, Iraq TWICE, Afghanistan, Ghadaffi, ...we have collateral murder, the Twitter files, Watergate, WMD, Iran-Contra, Wikileads.....and YOU think THIS TIME the corporate media is NOT lying to you??

In the West we have access to media from all around the world. When I look at Al Jazeera, for example, they do not tell me that it is in innocent special operation to protect the residents of Donbass going on. Afaik, not one country has traveled to Kyiv and told Zelenskyy to his face that he should surrender.

Wake up. Grow up. Get real man. EVERYBODY with power is LYING TO US in various ways. Its OBVIOUS!

If the whole world is against you, I believe there is a medication for that.

@cleo

We are talking 2 million people or more! They can't just move! Obviously. Russia can't just take in 2 million people! Obviously.

You oppose the right of self-determination, obviously. Just saying " move" ain't it at all.

Anyway go search for "Violent Videos Raise Questions About Ukrainian Military Recruiters" and get some truth bombs. Be sure to read the comments.

The country is at war, you know.

No. Just the men apparently. So they get thrown in the meat grinder. Women get to leave. And you approve obviously! How "equal rights" of you!

My son is in contact with many friends (young men of fighting age) in Ukraine, mainly in Kyiv; all ready to do their bit, each one signed up in the first days of the invasion. To date not a one of them has been called up

Not even you believe your anectode proves the situation in a nation of 37 million! Watch the video. Besides, if "everything was cool" there would be no need to clamp the men down and prevent them leaving would there?

I say again, if its men forced to into the warzone, bring them here. If they voluteered they should be treated at home. Otherwise Japan is supporting forced conscription/ kidnapping by not taking a stance against it.

We are talking 2 million people or more! They can't just move! Obviously. Russia can't just take in 2 million people! Obviously.

It’s estimated that between early 2014 and early 2022, some 3 million people fled the Donbas. More have left since.

The population of the Donbas in 2014 was around 6.5 million. You think around 2 million of those claiming to identify as ‘Russian’ means the other 4.5 million should just fall in line? Or do you want them to move/be moved to other parts of Ukraine?

Explain again about the ‘right of self-determination’. It applies to some but not to the majority?

Keepyer Internetpoints

I say again, if its men forced to into the warzone, bring them here. If they voluteered they should be treated at home. Otherwise Japan is supporting forced conscription/ kidnapping by not taking a stance against it.

Many countries have mandatory military service; I don't think it is controversial. But if a country is invaded, conscription is ethically understandable, and I don't think Japan should be against it.

Watch the video.

I did. Seems to be a few newly-recruited ‘recruiters’ with a flawed understanding of what their job entailed. Investigated by the authorities.

Besides, if "everything was cool" there would be no need to clamp the men down and prevent them leaving would there?

Who said ‘everything was cool’? The country is being attacked by superior numbers of officially recruited conscripts (themselves dragged off the streets, subways and prisons), homes, schools, hospitals and markets being bombed, children being abducted, infrastructure being destroyed and huge swathes of land being seeded with mines. It’s about as far from cool as it’s possible to be.

Many countries have mandatory military service; I don't think it is controversial.

This is only because people live in LaLa land and pretend there won't be another war or draft. But as soon as their sons get shipped off to die in yet another needless war the controversy begins fresh.

It is nothing but criminal to force a person to fight and kill in a battle he wants no part of.

I always tell people, if they are ordered to fight in another stupid war of neanderthal brain creation, to tell the draft board they will only kill one class of soldier....their own commanders. And to then start loudly reading off and memorizing the names of the slime on the board.

Keepyer InternetpointsToday 11:51 am JST

Many countries have mandatory military service; I don't think it is controversial.

This is only because people live in LaLa land and pretend there won't be another war or draft. But as soon as their sons get shipped off to die in yet another needless war the controversy begins fresh.

It's not criminal for a country to do what it needs to to survive.

It is nothing but criminal to force a person to fight and kill in a battle he wants no part of.

So then why does Russia keep doing it?

Keepyer Internetpoints

This is only because people live in LaLa land and pretend there won't be another war or draft. But as soon as their sons get shipped off to die in yet another needless war the controversy begins fresh.

I agree that fighting needless wars abroad with a conscripted army is dubious, e.g., Vietnam, which prompted the US to move to an all volunteer army. What Russia is now doing to its youth is criminal. A pointless war of imperialism.

It is nothing but criminal to force a person to fight and kill in a battle he wants no part of.

No it isn't. Ukraine didn't ask to be invaded; Putin wanted to expand his empire. For the greater good, Ukraine is resisting his aggression.

So then why does Russia keep doing it?

Russia isn't. The corrupt Russian oligarchy with Putin at the top is, same as the corrupt Ukraine oligarchy is doing it, although Zelensky is merely their puppet. Oh, you thought by some miracle a high-minded comedian became president with free reign to act? In one of the world's most corrupt countries, nearly tied with Russia itself in that department?

It's not criminal for a country to do what it needs to to survive.

Anything? I hope you will feel different when its your son kicked in the stomach on the street and tossed into a truck to go fight an engineered war of profits and hegemony billed as "patriotic duty".

Ukraine would not even be in this mess if they 1) rebuked America's invitation to NATO, which only keeps Russia as an enemy for manufacturing consent, and also let Donbas and Crimea separate as their people clearly wanted.

No it isn't. Ukraine didn't ask to be invaded;

You too? If human rights don't matter when the going gets tough they won't matter in easy times either because the thugs will be in control.

But YES, Ukraine DID ask to be invaded. They did when they fired the first shots in Donbas and cut off the water supply to Crimea causing drought there.

Keepyer Internetpoints

No it isn't. Ukraine didn't ask to be invaded;

You too? If human rights don't matter when the going gets tough they won't matter in easy times either because the thugs will be in control.

Of course they matter. Invading a sovereign country is illegal.

But YES, Ukraine DID ask to be invaded. They did when they fired the first shots in Donbas

The first shots in Donbas were from Russian armed soldiers and little green men.

and cut off the water supply to Crimea causing drought there.

Crimea, which is actually part of Ukraine?

Keepyer InternetpointsToday 01:05 pm JST

So then why does Russia keep doing it?

Russia isn't.

Russia did invade Afghanistan, Georgia, and now Ukraine.

The corrupt Russian oligarchy with Putin at the top is, same as the corrupt Ukraine oligarchy is doing it, although Zelensky is merely their puppet. Oh, you thought by some miracle a high-minded comedian became president with free reign to act? In one of the world's most corrupt countries, nearly tied with Russia itself in that department?

Zelenskyy was democratically elected. I know you wouldn't like that to be true. Any territory Russia prevented from participating in the election was Russia's fault.

It's not criminal for a country to do what it needs to to survive.

Anything? I hope you will feel different when its your son kicked in the stomach on the street and tossed into a truck to go fight an engineered war of profits and hegemony billed as "patriotic duty".

Yes anything. Russia tells us they will go full nuclear if their territory is threatened. Ukraine should have had the same opportunity but Russia lied and Ukraine believed them.

Ukraine would not even be in this mess if they 1) rebuked America's invitation to NATO, which only keeps Russia as an enemy for manufacturing consent, and also let Donbas and Crimea separate as their people clearly wanted.

Russia could have made these demands clearly to Zelenskyy instead of sending it to NATO (maybe misdelivered? Russians seems terrible at identifying countries.) Russia could have continued as is without an invasion since it already had Crimea and the Donbas.

which only keeps Russia as an enemy for manufacturing consent

Nope, sorry we are in 2023 and having to throw back Russia. NATO has never been more relevant.

No it isn't. Ukraine didn't ask to be invaded;

You too? If human rights don't matter when the going gets tough they won't matter in easy times either because the thugs will be in control.

The thugs I see as the problem are the ones invading countries. And NO the US has no active invasions. 1k troops is a pretty paltry invasion force.

But YES, Ukraine DID ask to be invaded. They did when they fired the first shots in Donbas and cut off the water supply to Crimea causing drought there.

Crimea doesn't have ports? Russia or their stooges weren't criminally shelling in violation of the ceasefire? Perhaps Russia was asking to be invaded.

TaiwanIsNotChina

Russia did invade Afghanistan, Georgia, and now Ukraine.

The Afghanistan misadventure was done by the SU, and not Russia. And Georgia was a predicted reaction to Nato (aka US) escalation. Plenty of subject experts, including senior US diplomats, have long warned that Georgia and Ukraine are absolute red lines reg. Nato expansion.

Zelenskyy was democratically elected. I know you wouldn't like that to be true. Any territory Russia prevented from participating in the election was Russia's fault.

Zelenski is a puppet for Kolamoyski and actually was elected on false promises that he would make peace in the Dombas. Which he promptly forgot after the election. You forgot that?

Yes anything. Russia tells us they will go full nuclear if their territory is threatened. Ukraine should have had the same opportunity but Russia lied and Ukraine believed them.

The US threatened nuclear war over Cuba. And Nato supplying nuclear weapons for Zelenski would actually a whole dimension worse than that. If you want nuclear WW3, go ahead.

Russia could have made these demands clearly to Zelenskyy instead of sending it to NATO (maybe misdelivered? Russians seems terrible at identifying countries.) Russia could have continued as is without an invasion since it already had Crimea and the Donbas.

Russia was naiive in believing that the Minsk accords would have been followed. Since then both Merkel and Macaron have said in interviews that they never intended to follow them.

Nope, sorry we are in 2023 and having to throw back Russia. NATO has never been more relevant.

Relevant for what? Nato was supposed to be a defensive pact, not a vehicle for constant aggression. Remember Jim Bakers promise? "Not one meter east of Germany".... look at the map since then.

The thugs I see as the problem are the ones invading countries. And NO the US has no active invasions. 1k troops is a pretty paltry invasion force.

Remind us what the US is doing in Syria and Kosovo right now, not to mention what they did to Libya. It is not Russia that has 800 military bases around the world, meddling everywhere.

Crimea doesn't have ports? Russia or their stooges weren't criminally shelling in violation of the ceasefire? Perhaps Russia was asking to be invaded.

Crimea has Sevastopol, and there is no world in which ANY Russian government could allow that to become a Nato (aka US) military base and the Black Sea a Nato lake. In addition to the mainstream media, you might want to read what subject experts like Prof. Jeffrey Sachs and John Mearsheimer have said about the issue.

Ukraine would not even be in this mess if they 1) rebuked America's invitation to NATO, which only keeps Russia as an enemy for manufacturing consent, and also let Donbas and Crimea separate as their people clearly wanted.

There was never any ‘invitation to NATO’ from the US: quite the opposite. Ukraine asked again and again to be allowed to join, and the OK never came. If it had there would have been no invasion.

As for the Donbas and Crimea, at the breakup of the USSR both regions voted in favor of independence from Russia: Crimea by 54.19%, Donetsk by 83.9%, Luhansk by 83.83%.

ZaphodToday 02:50 pm JST

Russia did invade Afghanistan, Georgia, and now Ukraine.

The Afghanistan misadventure was done by the SU, and not Russia.

Oh, well, I guess that makes it not Russia behind it then. What is Russia, 30 years old?

And Georgia was a predicted reaction to Nato (aka US) escalation. Plenty of subject experts, including senior US diplomats, have long warned that Georgia and Ukraine are absolute red lines reg. Nato expansion.

Boy NATO everywhere and behind all of Russia's actions. I guess it is true that Russians think the CIA runs their government.

Zelenskyy was democratically elected. I know you wouldn't like that to be true. Any territory Russia prevented from participating in the election was Russia's fault.

Zelenski is a puppet for Kolamoyski and actually was elected on false promises that he would make peace in the Dombas. Which he promptly forgot after the election. You forgot that?

That's interesting then that Kolomoyskyi was arrested just this month for money laundering and fraud. Zelenskyy must be a pretty bad puppet.

Yes anything. Russia tells us they will go full nuclear if their territory is threatened. Ukraine should have had the same opportunity but Russia lied and Ukraine believed them.

The US threatened nuclear war over Cuba. And Nato supplying nuclear weapons for Zelenski would actually a whole dimension worse than that. If you want nuclear WW3, go ahead.

What are you going on about now? I was saying Ukraine had nukes but gave them up because they believed Russian lies that Russia wasn't a criminal state anymore.

Russia could have made these demands clearly to Zelenskyy instead of sending it to NATO (maybe misdelivered? Russians seems terrible at identifying countries.) Russia could have continued as is without an invasion since it already had Crimea and the Donbas.

Russia was naiive in believing that the Minsk accords would have been followed.

Since then both Merkel and Macaron have said in interviews that they never intended to follow them.

Russia could have removed its troops like it was supposed to under Minsk. If it didn't like the progress under Minsk it could have had dialog with the country in question rather than going to illegal invasion. Putin makes George W Bush look like a responsible diplomat.

Nope, sorry we are in 2023 and having to throw back Russia. NATO has never been more relevant.

Relevant for what? Nato was supposed to be a defensive pact, not a vehicle for constant aggression. Remember Jim Bakers promise? "Not one meter east of Germany".... look at the map since then.

Remember how that was not in writing and Gorbachev said it had no bearing on NATO? Sometimes its good to talk about grievances rather than sulking for 20 years and then exploding like jilted housewife.

The thugs I see as the problem are the ones invading countries. And NO the US has no active invasions. 1k troops is a pretty paltry invasion force.

Remind us what the US is doing in Syria and Kosovo right now, not to mention what they did to Libya.

UN mandate in Kosovo. UN mandate in Libya. If Assad ever looks like he might have his country back under control, you never know what the US might do. Might just leave.

It is not Russia that has 800 military bases around the world, meddling everywhere.

I'm so sorry our storage units offend you. Maybe a country with 11 timezones requires a worldwide presence to reign in.

Crimea doesn't have ports? Russia or their stooges weren't criminally shelling in violation of the ceasefire? Perhaps Russia was asking to be invaded.

Crimea has Sevastopol, and there is no world in which ANY Russian government could allow that to become a Nato (aka US) military base and the Black Sea a Nato lake.

But you are perfectly fine with it being a Russian lake. And it's not about what Russia wants anymore. It's what can it actually achieve.

Zaphod

In addition to the mainstream media, you might want to read what subject experts like Prof. Jeffrey Sachs and John Mearsheimer have said about the issue.

Probably not because their theories of NATO expansion have been pretty much debunked. NATO hasn't been expanding, countries afraid of Russia have been joining NATO for protection. The only actual territorial expansion in the region has been by Russia.

There was never any ‘invitation to NATO’ from the US: quite the opposite. Ukraine asked again and again to be allowed to join, and the OK never came.

Semantics, and I admit mine were off as well. Ukraine LEADERS asked again and again, but a great number of Ukrainian people protested this, especially when GWB pressed NATO to admit Ukraine and NATO responded with ""NATO welcomes Ukraine’s and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations for membership in NATO,"...which is, shall we say, recognition of mutual aspirations.

But it does not matter much that Ukraine wants in. What REALLY matters is NATO making moves to let them in, cause its NATO's party and NATO has the final say, NOT Ukraine.

The okay never came because Ukraine did not meet the requirements.

If it had there would have been no invasion.

Maybe maybe not. But it would have been WW3 for sure. This move by Bush the war monger was already bad enough. The result of the 2008 Bucharest Summit was the invasion of Georgia just 4 months later.

As for the Donbas and Crimea, at the breakup of the USSR both regions voted in favor of independence from Russia: Crimea by 54.19%, Donetsk by 83.9%, Luhansk by 83.83%.

You are greatly confused and I can't blame you for this. Donetsk and Luhansk are NOT Donbas, though politics is trying to obfuscate that. Realistically, Donbas is only the eastern parts of those oblasts plus a part of Rostov Oblast in Russia and even a part of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Both sides are lying about this one because they both want to take as much territory as they can.

To hell with both. Donbas is the PEOPLE who live there, not lines drawn on maps by greedy politicians. And the people of the REAL Donbas are ethnic Russian and want to be part of Russia. Their vote was diluted by politicians.

As for Crimean ASSR, that vote was awful close, too close for an independence vote. Meanwhile the electorate was only 37 percent for. And all this led directly to Crimea declaring independence just one year later, which was crushed by force by Ukraine in 1995.

These guys coming to Japan with permanent debilitating injuries can thank GWB and his puppet masters.