Ukraine Doesn’t Have a Warlord Problem

BY ALEXANDER J. MOTYL

MARCH 26, 2015

One analyst claims that “Eastern Ukraine is awash with weapons and armed militia groups on both sides.” Another speaks darkly of “independently operating warlords and armed groups.” A third writes of “independent and semi-independent battalions, some of which descend from Ukrainian nationalist groups, extreme elements of the Maidan self-defense forces, and criminal groups.” You’d think Ukraine was on the verge of chaos.