And how exactly do you determine "the truth"? The western view is probably viewed as propaganda in Russia. There is no such thing as an objective point of view.

Lets look at the facts,

Russian speaking troops without any country marking (shoot at one and the world would quickly find out who they belong to) but are speaking Russian and driving trucks with Russian numbers plates are occupying Crimea and blockaded Ukranian military bases.

And are now pushing for an Anschluss style referendum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Stimmzettel-Anschluss.jpg

I highly doubt the Ukranians would have blockaded their own bases "for the laugh" or want a part of their country annexed by Russia.

Whichever way the state controlled Russian media tries to spin in, "the boots on the ground" paint a different picture as to what the Russians are being told.

Are you trying to argue with me? Because I haven't made any argument for or against Russia or the West in my post. I just pointed out that facts can be interpreted in different ways. That shouldn't prevent anyone from taking a stand, but it's important to know how "the truth" works.

of course, the new revolutionary government repealing protection laws for Russians in their borders has nothing to do with the fact Crimea was part of Russia (before Gorbachev gave it to Ukraine to gain favour) and Crimea being almost entirely occupied with the remaining Russian families has absolutely nothing to do with the protection of Russians.

it _must_ be to do with Russia being a bully- sarcasm

$Sudetenland = preg_replace('/Russian/','/German/',$argument);

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudetenland

Wait so are you saying the Anschluss was involuntary and Austrians didn't openly welcome Hitler?

The similarities, the rhetoric and the actions from Putin are frighteningly similar as to what happened at the start of WW2 :(

I see, so I take it you left home through your third story window rather than the front door, and then flew to work on a pigeon since nothing can be known as objective truth.

It feels very different, however. It feels that while the "other" news channels are indeed pushing their point of view, most of the Russian news media is pushing something else, which is neither their point of view ("truth" as they would see it) nor particularly based on facts on the ground. There are plenty of exceptions, of course, and in any case, I am talking about perceptions.

Russian troops help organising referendums now at least that is common in all reports.