Ukraine Crisis 2014
Reports that Russia has test fired an ICBM (March 4th)
Russia test-fires ICBM amid tension over Ukraine
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RT-2UTTKh Topol-M - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
JAS
MOSCOW, March 4 (Reuters) - Russia said it had successfully test-fired an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) on Tuesday, with tensions high over its seizure of control in the Crimea and its threat to send more forces to its neighbour Ukraine.
some referenced information from Wikipedia
RT-2UTTKh Topol-M - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
JAS
Wait a sec. If the Russians had their program going along, and had scheduled a launch some months ago for this month, how is their adhering to their schedule necessarily related to what is up with the Ukraine?
FFS, nations can multi-task. I'd not immediately associate the two events. It is possible that it was a signal sent, but I am willing to go with Occam's razor and presume that the test was part of a program plan.
FFS, nations can multi-task. I'd not immediately associate the two events. It is possible that it was a signal sent, but I am willing to go with Occam's razor and presume that the test was part of a program plan.
Someone, please tell me how that can improve the situation?
Admittedly, they could have postponed the test, but probably they decided that it would not matter. The only people making a fuss are the press and that will have blown over by tomorrow. Complete non-story.
No, it's not a complete non story. Maybe in your head, but not to everyone. It's a provocation in a tense situation to flex your muscles when your nose to nose with an opponent.
Btw, how do you know this was a long planned test?
Btw, how do you know this was a long planned test?
NutLoose wrote
Putin is still going with the very well-trained self-defence forces line! I think I could see his nose getting bigger as he said it! 
Putin says he reserves right to protect Russians in Ukraine - The Washington Post
So who's troops are they?
When asked about the armed men who have taken over Crimean government buildings wearing military uniforms without insignia, he said they were not Russian, defying the observations of numerous journalists. Military experts said they were too well-trained to be anything but an elite force.
“Look at former Soviet republics,” he said. “You can go to a store and buy a uniform. Were these Russian soldiers? No, they’re very well-trained self-defense forces.”
“Look at former Soviet republics,” he said. “You can go to a store and buy a uniform. Were these Russian soldiers? No, they’re very well-trained self-defense forces.”
Military experts said they were too well-trained to be anything but an elite force
Surely someone more reasonable than Hague-the-mekon or that utter ar$e Kerry could have been sent to the area?
Putin must wonder what on earth the West is doing sending such people.
Putin must wonder what on earth the West is doing sending such people.
Russian soldier asked about the lack of insignia. The reporter got the brand new uniform story!
From
Situation in the Ukraine/Crimea *Photos - Videos* ONLY - Page 71
Basically the reporter asks the Buryat soldier who are they where they are from, ect. The soldier mumbles in his answers (geez, nobody told them what to say), but when asked about the uniform. He replies, "this is a good brand new uniform of the Russian armed forces. Why are there no chevrons or other insignia?" The soldier continues, "no insignia because I've told you IT'S A BRAND NEW UNIFORM".
Situation in the Ukraine/Crimea *Photos - Videos* ONLY - Page 71
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Someone, please tell me how that can improve the situation?
Other than that, not much.
If the Russians had their program going along, and had scheduled a launch some months ago for this month, how is their adhering to their schedule necessarily related to what is up with the Ukraine?
Not hard to reschedule either, given that Sov.., err, Russian, rocket forces are certainly on constant standby.
Last edited by Willard Whyte; 4th Mar 2014 at 21:11.
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Surely someone more reasonable than Hague-the-mekon or that utter ar$e Kerry could have been sent to the area?
Assuming it all 'kicks off'.
Is Russia not a signatory to the Geneva Conventions?
Do said conventions not require armed troops to be identifiable?
Is there not one member of the international media with the brains to know this & point it out? (No, ed.)
Do said conventions not require armed troops to be identifiable?
Is there not one member of the international media with the brains to know this & point it out? (No, ed.)
Fox.....if you are invading another country in violation of numerous Treaties and the like.....do you think the absence of rank badges and unit patches is going to be an issue to those calling the shots?
You are entirely correct in your comments but I have to think that is way down the list of concerns laying on Mr. Putin's desk blotter right now.
Who knows....absent the markings.....they might be passed off as some sort of Contract Security Company and not Russian Military forces.
Plausible Denial?
You are entirely correct in your comments but I have to think that is way down the list of concerns laying on Mr. Putin's desk blotter right now.
Who knows....absent the markings.....they might be passed off as some sort of Contract Security Company and not Russian Military forces.
Plausible Denial?
"I don't think he really cares who the west sends."
And in spite of how hopping mad EU, NATO, US etc. are about this, unless they are truly willing to do something substantial (i.e., that impresses dear Vladimir) we should not care too much either who is sent or what empty words they have to say.
And our leaders better be careful, we shouldn't threaten to put boots on the ground unless we are willing to do it, and we should not be willing to do it unless we are willing to achieve real results, no matter the costs, including the lives on both sides. If its not worth the lives lost, don't enter into it. Otherwise, its Mr. Chamberlain all over again, or worse yet, WWI. No lives are worth political B.S. I don't care what Clauswitz said.
Historically and culturally, Crimea, at least was Russian and while I don't like anything Putin says or does, I understand Russian motivation. Not to mention that its also the base for Russian Navy. Crimea never meant that much to the rest of us.
If we are going to make a big cold war stand (which I doubt) then we are already behind the curve. Vlad will have his fait accompli very soon now.
And in spite of how hopping mad EU, NATO, US etc. are about this, unless they are truly willing to do something substantial (i.e., that impresses dear Vladimir) we should not care too much either who is sent or what empty words they have to say.
And our leaders better be careful, we shouldn't threaten to put boots on the ground unless we are willing to do it, and we should not be willing to do it unless we are willing to achieve real results, no matter the costs, including the lives on both sides. If its not worth the lives lost, don't enter into it. Otherwise, its Mr. Chamberlain all over again, or worse yet, WWI. No lives are worth political B.S. I don't care what Clauswitz said.
Historically and culturally, Crimea, at least was Russian and while I don't like anything Putin says or does, I understand Russian motivation. Not to mention that its also the base for Russian Navy. Crimea never meant that much to the rest of us.
If we are going to make a big cold war stand (which I doubt) then we are already behind the curve. Vlad will have his fait accompli very soon now.
Ukrainian Frigate returning from anti-piracy operations is now back in the Black Sea. She was flying a large Ukrainian Flag as she passed through the Turkish Straits.
Images at following link
http://turkishnavy.net/
Images at following link
http://turkishnavy.net/
Can someone explain to me this story of Russian troops firing at/over Ukranian troops? Does not seem to have made my usual news feeds.
EDIT: got a link from TEEJ, thanks.
EDIT 2:
Missile test was on the books.
A senior U.S. official told NBC News that the test launch had been "on the books for some time prior to the current crisis in Ukraine."
"This was a previously notified and routine test launch of an ICBM," National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.
"As required under the New START Treaty, Russia provided advance notification of this launch to the United States," she said. "Such advance notifications are intended to provide transparency, confidence, and predictability and to help both sides avoid misunderstandings. Russia and the United States routinely flight test their ICBMs and SLBMs."
EDIT: got a link from TEEJ, thanks.
EDIT 2:
Missile test was on the books.
A senior U.S. official told NBC News that the test launch had been "on the books for some time prior to the current crisis in Ukraine."
"This was a previously notified and routine test launch of an ICBM," National Security Council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said in a statement.
"As required under the New START Treaty, Russia provided advance notification of this launch to the United States," she said. "Such advance notifications are intended to provide transparency, confidence, and predictability and to help both sides avoid misunderstandings. Russia and the United States routinely flight test their ICBMs and SLBMs."
Last edited by Lonewolf_50; 4th Mar 2014 at 21:44.
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Lack of insignia.
Calculated and deliberate by Russia - as both sides seem to be using identical uniform and military firearms/equipment, future close combat will look confusing to the western media audiance further underlying how close this is to a civil war, or how close the Ukraine and Russia really are, how sad this war may be. (Defuse a Russia v underdog image).
Western Media tonight seem irritated by the lack of blood so far (the utter vultures if you are reading).
Thought those Russian Troops who fired the warning shots over the column of approaching Ukrainians were in a way, a model of sense, humanity.
They seemed far older and therefore more mature than many other nationals I could mention.
Western Media tonight seem irritated by the lack of blood so far (the utter vultures if you are reading).
Thought those Russian Troops who fired the warning shots over the column of approaching Ukrainians were in a way, a model of sense, humanity.
They seemed far older and therefore more mature than many other nationals I could mention.