Ukrainian troops in the Crimea surrender

[DJofSD]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/05/world/europe/crimea-ukraine-russia.html?_r=0

Good luck and God's speed to those souls. I would not want to be in their boots.

[Tom]

1939 all over again.

[Robert Fischer]

It seems likely that regime change in Kiev was never actually expected to force Russia to give up Crimea and Sevastopal.

The loss of Sevastopal would be crippling to enough of an extent that serious warfare would take place.

[Robert Fischer]

this article seems to be pretty informative AFAIK http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/.premium-1.576212

you may need to friend on facebook or register to read.

There are several reasons to fear that if the crisis in Ukraine is not resolved diplomatically to Russia's satisfaction, Ukraine's neighbor will intervene - and some of the reasons also have to do with Syria.

Russia maintains an enormous military port in the Ukrainian city of Sevastopol, home of Russia’s mighty Black Sea Fleet....
...
What does this have to do with Syria?
...

For many years, Syria’s Tartus port has served as a “safe harbor” for the Russian Navy in the Mediterranean. In May 2013, as part of Russia’s new strategic deployment in the wake of the rebellion against President Bashar Assad’s regime, Russia established a “Mediterranean Naval Command.” Tartus is now the safe harbor for the new fleet, which comprises 11 warships: aircraft carriers, submarine combat ships, escort ships and a missile destroyer. This new fleet is an extension of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, and under its command.

All Russian activity in the eastern basin of the Mediterranean is currently dependent upon the Sevastopol port in Ukraine. However, it is through the Syrian ports of Tartus and Latakia that Russia is transferring increasingly large arms shipments to Assad’s army and safeguarding its interests in Damascus.
....
....

They do go on to criticize Obama as well.

[TJDave]

1939 all over again.

Unlike the Crimea, Poland actually put up a fight.

[Greyfox]

Unlike the Crimea, Poland actually put up a fight.

With almost 60% of the citizens in that region of the Ukraine of Russian heritage, with their first language being Russian, and many having jobs and/or relatives in Russia, it would be hard for me to imagine them fighting against Russia.

The western Ukraine ethnic composition would present a very different scenario, and they likely would fight.

[TJDave]

With almost 60% of the citizens in that region of the Ukraine of Russian heritage, with their first language being Russian, and many having jobs and/or relatives in Russia, it would be hard for me to imagine them fighting against Russia.

Agree. Which is why the idea of us sticking our nose over there is absurd.

Doesn't our president read history?

I'd recommend starting with the Crimean war.

[Greyfox]

Agree. Which is why the idea of us sticking our nose over there is absurd.

Doesn't our president read history?

I'd recommend starting with the Crimean war.

Agreed. :ThmbUp: Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem "Charge of the Light Brigade"
should serve as a grim reminder of what can happen there.

"Half a league, half a league,
http://poetry.eserver.org/space.gif Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
http://poetry.eserver.org/space.gif Rode the six hundred.
"Forward, the Light Brigade!
"Charge for the guns!" he said:
Into the valley of Death
http://poetry.eserver.org/space.gif Rode the six hundred."

Continued at:
http://poetry.eserver.org/light-brigade.html

[mostpost]

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/05/world/europe/crimea-ukraine-russia.html?_r=0

Good luck and God's speed to those souls. I would not want to be in their boots.
It seems to me that most of the "Ukrainian" forces that "surrendered" are Crimean troops who changed sides.

Of course you know that Crimea is an autonomous area of the Ukraine that has its own Parliament and its own Prime Minister. You know that the population of Crimea is 3/5 Russian and 1/5 Ukrainian. You know that the autonomous Prime Minister of Crimea requested Russian troops.

[TJDave]

Of course you know that Crimea is an autonomous area of the Ukraine that has its own Parliament and its own Prime Minister. You know that the population of Crimea is 3/5 Russian and 1/5 Ukrainian. You know that the autonomous Prime Minister of Crimea requested Russian troops.

Crimea is not an autonomous area of Ukraine. It is a vassal state of Russia.

[JustRalph]

It seems to me that most of the "Ukrainian" forces that "surrendered" are Crimean troops who changed sides.

Of course you know that Crimea is an autonomous area of the Ukraine that has its own Parliament and its own Prime Minister. You know that the population of Crimea is 3/5 Russian and 1/5 Ukrainian. You know that the autonomous Prime Minister of Crimea requested Russian troops.

So, you have no problem with northern US States joining Canada?

[TJDave]

So, you have no problem with northern US States joining Canada?

A better analogy would be California and Texas joining Mexico. ;)

[JustRalph]

A better analogy would be California and Texas joining Mexico. ;)


You're probably right

[JustRalph]

I guess it's all over but the shouting........check out the RT Russian TV map they are using now..........

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BiDQ9TrCIAAckhf.png

That's Crimea included in Russia............. :lol:

[DJofSD]

Pretty safe bet which way the vote will go ....