Title: First Video Evidence of Russians Among Ukrainian Separatists: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 30)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QP6sM5VnUQ&index=24&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: Just an hour before he was kidnapped by pro-Russia forces, VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky interviewed two Russian Cossacks in Kramatorsk. One of the men showed Simon his Russian passport, which was the first confirmation VICE News has seen of Russians working with the separatists in Eastern Ukraine.

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Title: Anger Over Odessa Reaches Donetsk: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 34)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BSSocdQor8&index=20&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: As the Ukrainian military launches an offensive on the rebel-held town of Sloviansk, members of the self-proclaimed state of Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) are continuing a campaign of government building takeovers.

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Title: Bullets, Not Ballots in Donetsk: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 42)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ceDd-q86_k&index=11&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: Almost 6 months after the Euromaidan revolution that toppled former president Viktor Yanukovych, Ukrainians went to the polls to elect a new president in the midst of an anti-terror operation to wrestle Donetsk and Lugansk oblasts back under Kiev's control. The separatists of the Donetsk People's Republic openly threatened the election in the region and had stormed a number of electoral commissions and intimidated electoral workers. In response the Ukrainian military alongside its paramilitary proxies have been working to secure towns across Donetsk to ensure a safe election took place.

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Title: Sloviansk Residents Flee As Violence Escalates: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 45)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AcB5f6mBzs&index=8&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: The standoff between pro-Russia forces and Ukrainian troops continues on the outskirts of the rebel stronghold of Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine. But with heavier fighting escalating over the last few days, many residents are braving checkpoints and gunfire to flee the area for safer parts of the country. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky traveled to a checkpoint bordering Sloviansk and spoke to people leaving their homes behind as shots rang out in the background. None of these residents knows when they'll be able to return.

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Title: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 25)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wxEIWu9c94&index=29&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: Last week, pro-Russia forces took over the police headquarters in Slovyansk, a city in Eastern Ukraine, marking the latest expansion of the self-proclaimed "People's Republic of Donetsk." VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky rushed to the scene to verify whether or not Russian Special Forces had taken over the building, as was rumored, but found that it appeared to be the work of locals. As the situation escalates in Eastern Ukraine, a pattern has emerged in which buildings are stormed and occupied at night, while crowds gather outside during the day to prevent anyone from getting through. The situation in Slovyansk is different because the whole city seems to be guarded by pro-Russia forces. Which city will be next?

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Title: The War That Never Ended: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 53)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nmo9dZTmo0&list=PLw613M86o5o5zqF6WJR8zuC7Uwyv76h7R&index=53

Description: Not long after a so-called ceasefire ended in eastern Ukraine Monday night, the Ukrainian military sent a column of artillery into Sloviansk and officially began its offensive. The Russian and Ukrainian governments, along with representatives from the OSCE, called for a new effort to establish another ceasefire, setting a deadline of Saturday for the resumption of talks. For now, however, the war continues. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky traveled around the outskirts of the city and visited several checkpoints where soldiers were preparing for what's to come.

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Title: Defending Ukraine's Naval and Air Bases: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 18)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fur0PJKvOg&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B&index=36

Description: Despite overwhelming support within Crimea to join the Russian Federation, Ukrainian forces refused to give up their naval and airbases to the Russians last week. In this dispatch, VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky visits the Belbek airbase, which was being overrun by Cossacks and members of Russian forces, who believe they had liberated Crimea — though local forces don't seem to agree.

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Title: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 27)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mywTyAhlJM&index=27&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: This week, the Ukrainian military launched an anti-terrorist operation to quell the pro-Russia violence and unrest that has swept eastern Ukraine. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky interviewed troops deployed in the operation at the border between Kharkiv and Donetsk, and then traveled to Kramatorsk, where pro-Russia protesters were attempting to take over an airfield. When Simon arrived, it seemed that the airfield was still under Ukrainian control, but the pro-Russia protesters were outside preparing to seize it. Once the head of the anti-terror operation appeared outside the base, the commander was accosted by the protesters until he retreated back inside — so much for his anti-terror operation

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Title: Civilians Suffer from Bloody Military Campaign: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 57)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW6LznHN_Ys&list=PLw613M86o5o5zqF6WJR8zuC7Uwyv76h7R&index=57

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Title: Rebels Shoot Down Ukrainian Military Plane: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 59)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRcMD9i8InE&list=PLw613M86o5o5zqF6WJR8zuC7Uwyv76h7R&index=60

Description: Weeks into the separatists' siege of Luhansk airport, the Ukrainian military attempts a risky plan to lift the siege and resupply their stranded comrades. Although the bid to break through rebel lines is successful, it comes at a heavy price; the following morning, rebel forces celebrate their kills. And just three days before Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 is shot down over eastern Ukraine, rebel forces shoot down a Ukrainian military transport plane. VICE News arrives at the still-smoldering crash site as locals pick through wreckage looking for souvenirs to keep and scrap metal to sell.

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Title: Rocks and Rubber Bullets in Donetsk Police Standoff: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 32)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj0N2iS5g_k&index=22&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: On International Workers Day, pro-Russia protesters marched through central Donetsk in eastern Ukraine calling for a referendum on the region's future. Some want to join Russia, while others to become a federal republic inside Ukraine — all want to separate from the interim government installed after the Euromaidan revolution

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Title: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 23)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpdCvuf-ZOk&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B&index=31

Description: On the second day of the self-styled People's Republic of Donetsk's existence, people gathered in the Regional Administration Building to discuss their new government and make plans for the future. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky attended the meeting where things got a bit heated, and later interviewed Serhiy Taruta, the current governor of the Donetsk region. Taruta argued that those who declared independence from Ukraine have no authority to do so and are not supported by most residents of Donetsk. There's still about a month left before their supposed referendum, and the future of Donetsk is uncertain.

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Title: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 26)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTdkY8tl2b0&index=28&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: On Monday, pro-Russia protesters stormed a police station in the eastern Ukrainian city of Horlivka. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky was there as they seized the building. Inside, the demonstrators attacked a police officer accused of pushing someone out of a window while the person was trying to display a Russian flag. Later that day, a video emerged on the internet showing a man purporting to be a Russian army colonel giving orders to troops in eastern Ukraine. This is the first bit of evidence that there might already be Russian boots on the ground in the country.

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Title: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 21)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbT469xaqmA&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B&index=33

Description: Ukraine's ultra-nationalist Right Sector movement has been extremely active during the Euromaidan protests, but Kiev is now moving to disarm the group. On Monday, one Right Sector member instigated a shootout outside a restaurant. Three people were injured, including a city official. In response, riot police surrounded the Dnipro Hotel, which the group was using as their headquarters. The group was forced to vacate the building without their weapons and move to a base outside Kiev. Simon Ostrovsky of VICE News was there as events unfolded.

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Title: Detained in Donetsk on Referendum Day: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 38)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rz8SmbVCK_s&index=16&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: On Sunday, a referendum was finally held by the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic in eastern Ukraine on whether to declare independence. Polling stations were set up all over the city. With no independent monitors present, the DPR used locals to ensure that the vote was free and fair — a provision that hardly inspired confidence.

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Title: Bombings Force Sloviansk Residents to Flee: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 49)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8S2AcR-oaA&index=4&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: The conflict in eastern Ukraine has not yet entered into all-out war, but every day and every week the situation is becoming more fraught. Despite Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's call for a ceasefire, shelling has persisted in the rebel stronghold of Sloviansk. VICE News visited a section of Sloviansk that was recently struck by an attack, and spoke with the residents about the chaos of the attack and its aftermath. We also visited a local hospital and spoke with medical workers who have stayed behind to treat the increasing number of wounded. Caught up in the standoff, and facing gas and water shortages, residents across eastern Ukraine have been fleeing for safety. According to Kiev, some 120,000 people have been internally displaced from the region and are currently seeking refuge in Russia and elsewhere across the country as the area's humanitarian crisis worsens.

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Title: Ukrainians Build a Militia: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 16)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_fzoZww-9g&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B&index=38

Description: The day after Crimea's controversial referendum, in which 97 percent of the peninsula's population supposedly voted to join the Russian Federation, Ukraine's newly-formed National Guard began training in anticipation of further Russian aggression. Against the backdrop of exploding RPGs, the crackling of heavy machine guns, and the rumbling cannons of the BTRs, Ukrainian officials and the international media got a first look at the ragtag civilian force that could be on the front lines of the new cold war.

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Title: Missing Civilian Bodies found in Mass Graves: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 63)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBsEkF_GY0E

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Title: Rebels Retreat To Donetsk: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 55)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvX04kFmXKA&list=PLw613M86o5o5zqF6WJR8zuC7Uwyv76h7R&index=55

Description: On July 5, the pro-Russia rebels who had been occupying the eastern Ukrainian city of Sloviansk for the past three months retreated to Donetsk, marking a pivotal shift in the conflict. After Ukraine's military recaptured Sloviansk, VICE News visited some of the former rebel checkpoints surrounding the city, interviewed a pro-Russia rebel in Donetsk, and went to a "peace rally" where Pavel Gubarev, the pro-Russia governor of The People's Republic of Donetsk, proclaimed that the rebels would not be defeated. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko plans to continue his government's anti-terror operation until Ukraine is rid of the rebels.

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Title: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 28)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNig07RtWxA&index=26&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: Last week, Ukraine launched an anti-terror campaign to recapture the cities being occupied by pro-Russia protesters. So far, the campaign hasn't been going so well. On April 16, the second day of the campaign, Ukrainian military moving into Sloviansk — the focal point of the pro-Russia forces — and gave up their equipment. The armory was brought to the center of town where it has become a local amusement. Elsewhere, crowds of pro-Russia protesters stopped a column of Ukrainian troops in Kramatorsk and made them disarm. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky was on the scene as Ukrainian forces disarmed their weapons and vehicles.

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Title: Surrounded by War In Sloviansk: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 48)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WY3eDlbvcMs&index=5&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: On Sunday, recently elected President Petro Poroshenko vowed he would end two months of fighting with rebels in eastern Ukraine by the end of the week. Last week, however, the Ukrainian army suffered a series of setbacks in the Luhansk region and lost control of several checkpoints along the Russian border. Separatist groups now say they have occupied up to 125 miles of the frontier, allowing for fighters, weapons and other goods to move across from the east. VICE News headed to a checkpoint in Luhansk to talk with a Cossack commander about his group's operations there and find out how he is "preparing for war."

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Title: The Battle for Donetsk International Airport: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 44)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtdVVFhjdqA&index=9&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: Only hours after Petro Poroshenko was announced the winner of Ukraine's presidential elections, the worst violence of the two month long crisis in eastern Ukraine exploded at Donetsk' Sergei Prokofiev airport. Early Monday morning, gunmen of the Donetsk Peoples Republic arrived at the airport and took over the terminal building, prompting the Ukrainian military based there to issue an ultimatum to the rebels to lay down their weapons and leave. A massive firefight broke out which both fighter jets and attack helicopters were used by the Ukrainian military.

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Title: Shelling Continues in Separatist Stronghold: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 51)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byfre-t5cT8&index=2&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: While the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France are discussing the fate of eastern Ukraine during the country's weeklong ceasefire, the eastern city of Slovyansk — which is occupied by the rebel forces and surrounded by the Ukrainian army — remains under siege. Amid consistent clashes, residents are gathering to mourn civilian deaths and pray for a quick end to the conflict. For the rebel fighters defending their positions in the outskirts of the small town, the ceasefire is something happening elsewhere. They don't trust it, and say the Ukrainian army is only using the opportunity to bring in more heavy weaponry and refill stocks of ammunition. Early on June 21, VICE News embedded with a small group of rebel fighters as they walked quietly through a field of high grass to an abandoned chemical plant controlled by the pro-government troops. Their mission was to stage an attack and collect intelligence about the enemy's sniper positions.

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Title: Simon Ostrovsky Questions "Mayor" of Sloviansk: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 29)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6rPlH0K7o4&index=25&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: Before VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky was detained on April 21 and held by pro-Russia separatists in Sloviansk, he filed this dispatch featuring an interview with his future captor, the city's self-appointed "people's mayor," Vyacheslav Ponomarev. Simon was released on Thursday. Simon went to Sloviansk to investigate reports of a shooting at a checkpoint outside of the city on Easter Sunday. At least three people were reportedly killed in the incident. Pro-Russia forces and Russian media outlets quickly blamed the Ukrainian nationalist group Right Sector for the assault. After interviewing local Ukrainian police, who couldn't confirm the number of deaths, Simon attended a briefing where he questioned Ponomarev directly about the alleged shooting.

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Title: Violent Clashes in Mariupol on Victory Day: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 36)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlSzewPMhD4&index=18&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: In an effort to curb further unrest, the Ukrainian government canceled the majority of the victory day parades across the country. Commemorating the victory over Nazi Germany during WWII, victory day came at a convenient time for the pro-Russia rebels. Claiming they're fighting a fascist junta in Kiev, the Donetsk Peoples Republic used the symbolism of victory day to boost support for their independence referendum on Sunday.

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Title: Missing Militia Men Cause Chaos: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 33)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNDy80-cc_E&index=21&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: On the morning of May 1, a pro-Russia militia guard post on the outskirts of Krasnoarmeysk was attacked by Ukrainian forces (reportedly Right Sector members) — taking 11 local militia men with them. Soon after, a crowd from Krasnoarmeysk gathered in front of a Right Sector base, where they tried to find out about their friends' fate. Having no luck, the crowd decided to return to Krasnoarmeysk, and storm the local police building, to show their protest towards police negligence. No shots were fired and no injuries were reported.

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Title: Separatists Shoot Down Ukrainian Plane: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 50)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjrrDtppp6A&index=3&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: Last Saturday, pro-Russia separatists shot down a Ukrainian military transport plane in the eastern city of Luhansk, killing 49. It was the deadliest incident since the conflict in eastern Ukraine broke out in April. The country's military has been struggling to regain control over the porous border with Russia as separatists continue to set up checkpoints and engage in sporadic fighting. Meanwhile, civilians are fleeing from towns in the area to avoid being caught in the crossfire. VICE News is in Luhansk to meet some of the separatist men and women who are determined to keep battling the government at any cost.

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Title: Searching Through the Debris of Flight MH17: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 61)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNXf_HncM20

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Title: The Ceasefire That Wasn't: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 52)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok-yi5tEGqA&index=2&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: The ceasefire in Ukraine between pro-Russia forces and the Ukrainian military technically ended on Monday, but the ceasefire never lived up to its name. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky traveled to several checkpoints around the eastern city of Sloviansk and spoke to soldiers who had been attacked by pro-Russia forces in recent days — attacks that resulted in dozens of deaths.

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Title: Ukraine Recaptures Sloviansk: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 54)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMBvMuuTOWU&index=54&list=PLw613M86o5o5zqF6WJR8zuC7Uwyv76h7R

Description: On July 5, the eastern Ukrainian town of Sloviansk was recaptured by the Ukrainian military, driving out pro-Russia rebels and ending their three-month occupation. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky travels back to Sloviansk and visits the cell in which he was held for days by those rebels in April. The city is in shambles and residents are struggling to find food and water despite a considerable humanitarian effort. The pro-Russia rebels have retreated to Donetsk, but the Ukrainian government is determined to pursue its anti-terror operation until there are no rebels left.

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Title: Taking over a Ukrainian Base: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 17)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBLs_AsBtjg&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B&index=37

Description: In the aftermath of the referendum in which 97% percent of the Crimean population supposedly voted to join the Russian federation, VICE News' Simon Ostrovsky returns to the Ukrainian Naval headquarters in Sevastopol, after self defense forces stormed the premises and took over the base.

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Title: Simon Ostrovsky Describes His Kidnapping: Russian Roulette In Ukraine (Dispatch 31)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQGRJN4Radk&index=23&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: VICE News reporter Simon Ostrovsky tells the full story of his abduction and captivity in eastern Ukraine by pro-Russia forces. On Monday April 21st, VICE News reporters Simon Ostrovsky and Freddie Paxton were stopped at a checkpoint by armed pro-Russia forces loyal to the self-proclaimed mayor of Sloviansk, Vyacheslav Ponomarev. They were pulled from their car, along with three other journalists they were traveling with. After a thorough search and questioning, Paxton and the three other journalists were released. Ostrovsky was held in a basement cell where he was blindfolded, beaten, and accused of being a spy. For days, his whereabouts were unknown, which sparked a furor among journalists in the region and people from around the world who have been following his work. On Thursday, April 24 Simon was suddenly released onto the streets of Sloviansk with little explanation. In this dispatch, Simon tells the story of his abduction, his days in captivity, and why he thinks he was targeted by "mayor" Ponomarev.

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Title: Retrieving the Remains of Flight MH17: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 62)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyOQFwGw850&list=PLw613M86o5o5zqF6WJR8zuC7Uwyv76h7R&index=62

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Title: Taking The Temperature Ahead Of Ukraine's Election: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 41)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJMrPxJPF0g&index=12&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: The Ukrainian elections are Sunday, and there's still uncertainty that they will actually take place in eastern Ukraine. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky travels around the eastern part of the country to gauge the vibe before election day. He interviews Ukraine's Interim President Oleksandr Turchynov about plans to make sure everything goes smoothly in Donetsk and Luhansk — areas which have a heavy presence of pro-Russia forces. He then visits a polling station in Donetsk where nearby a Ukrainian checkpoint was attacked a few hours earlier resulting in at least 11 deaths, and meets up with the Donbas Battalion, who are working to ensure that everyone will be able to participate in the elections. Despite the measures that are being taken by Ukrainian troops and officials, it's still unclear what tomorrow will bring.

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Title: Russian Roulette in Ukraine (Dispatch 22)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wetleAB1XmY&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B&index=32

Description: On April 7, the people of Donetsk declared themselves an independent republic and called for a Crimea-style referendum by May 11th. VICE News correspondent Simon Ostrovsky was there as people stormed the regional administration building and demanded to join Russia.

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Title: Simon Ostrovsky Returns To Eastern Ukraine: Russian Roulette (Dispatch 40)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzAIXo9BeFA&index=14&list=PLw613M86o5o7DfgzuUCd_PVwbOCDO472B

Description: Earlier this month, a number of pro-Russia checkpoints around the Donetsk region were taken by Ukrainian forces, in an attempt to encircle the city of Sloviansk, a stronghold for the pro-Russia insurgents. Here, VICE News reporter Simon Ostrovsky embeds at one of the checkpoints with the Ukrainian National Guard, a volunteer militia made up of people who were protesting at the Kiev Maidan just a few short, but eventful, months ago. Simon spent the night in the dark basement of a police station with some of the men, as heavy fire and fighting rumbled above them. Ukraine's presidential elections are scheduled for Sunday, but with this volatile situation in the east of the country, it's starting to look a lot more like a war.

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