Pro-Russian separatists re-escalated tensions with the Ukrainian government over the weekend, “killing 49 servicemen and dealing a blow to a military campaign to crush their uprising,” according to Reuters. A military transporter was downed near Luhansk on Saturday, killing the more than four dozen on board. The incident marks insurgents’ most fatal offensive yet. One separatists said, “The fascists can bring as many reinforcements as they want, but we will do this every time. We will talk to them on our own terms.” The conflict continues to be aided and abetted by Russian president Vladimir Putin. “The State Department said Friday that Russia had sent tanks and other heavy weapons to separatists in Ukraine, supporting accusations Thursday by the Ukrainian government,” reports The New York Times. Putin’s “withdrawal” from the border, as predicted, is a divergence from his overarching goal – the complete takeover of Ukraine. The question remains: What is the Obama administration’s response? More sternly-worded warnings?