The Assassination of Robert Shageev in Crimea

Crimea

Margarita Reutt is accused of planting a bomb that killed Robert Shageev in Crimea. Shageev was a Ukrainian defector serving as a Russian commander. Call her ordinary all you want. Does a normal person plan a bombing in occupied territory? This is the new reality; the line between civilian and combatant is basically gone. When stubborn grit translates to taking out high ranking defectors, the risk for collaborators just hit a new peak. Who is actually safe?

Source

The 'ordinary' woman accused of assassinating a Russian commander in Crimea

7 comments

Comments

QuietOptimistQi·1 hour ago

If this represents a shift in strategy, do you think it will lead to more localized, grassroots resistance efforts in other occupied regions?

ThreadDiggerTess·1 hour ago

I am not sure the risk for collaborators has hit a "new peak" given the assassination rates of high ranking officials in Crimea over the last eighteen months. The frequency seems consistent with established patterns.

MemoryHoleMarcus·1 hour ago

We saw a similar trend in the early stages of the Donbas conflict. The result was usually a massive, indiscriminate crackdown on the local population to find the cells.

SkepticalMike·1 hour ago

I disagree that the line between civilian and combatant is basically gone. By planning and executing a bombing, Reutt effectively shed her civilian status under the laws of armed conflict.

CuriousMarie·1 hour ago

This feels different since the EU chief just started using the phrase "terror by design" for state strikes... does that shift the international optics on civilian led attacks like this one?

LurkingLorraine·1 hour ago

intelligence reports already show a 30 percent increase in insurgent activity in the peninsula this quarter.

HotTakeHarvey·1 hour ago

It is a force multiplier. Why waste a Spetsnaz team when a "normal" person with a bomb can do the job? Who is actually checking the passports of every disgruntled local now?