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Alarm in Ukraine as Putin Puts Russian Troops on Alert
Reuters ^ | Wednesday, February 26, 2014 | Alessandra Prentice and Richard Balmforth

Posted on 02/26/2014 5:52:42 AM PST by kristinn

President Vladimir Putin put Russian combat troops on high alert for a drill on Wednesday, the Kremlin's most powerful gesture yet after days of sabre rattling since its ally Viktor Yanukovich was toppled as president of Ukraine.

Thousands of ethnic Russians, who form the majority in Ukraine's Crimea region, demonstrated for independence for the peninsula that hosts part of Moscow's Black Sea Fleet. They scuffled with rival demonstrators, mainly from the Tatar minority, who support the new authorities in Kiev.

With the political turmoil hammering Ukraine's economy, the hryvnia currency tumbled 4 percent on Wednesday, with ripples spreading to Russia where the rouble fell to five-year lows and bank shares took a hit.

Ukraine's central bank, which has been rapidly burning its hard currency reserves to protect the hryvnia, said it has abandoned a managed exchange rate policy in favor of a flexible currency, a senior official told CNBC TV

Moscow also denounced what it described as the rise of "nationalist and neo-fascist sentiment" in the country's mainly Ukrainian-speaking western areas, where it said Russian speakers were being deprived of rights. It has repeatedly expressed concern for the safety of Russian citizens in Ukraine.

"In accordance with an order from the president of the Russian Federation, forces of the Western Military District were put on alert at 1400 (0500 ET) today," Interfax news agency quoted Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: crimea; putin; russia; russiatroops; ukraine; ukrainecrisis
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1 posted on 02/26/2014 5:52:43 AM PST by kristinn
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To: kristinn

Pootie’s playing Risk while Barry is playing Candyland.


2 posted on 02/26/2014 6:00:22 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: kristinn

Obama will take the phone off the hook before the 3AM call comes through.


3 posted on 02/26/2014 6:01:17 AM PST by AU72
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To: kristinn

Puti’s panties in a wad?


4 posted on 02/26/2014 6:02:06 AM PST by mabarker1 (Please, Somebody Impeach the kenyan!!!!)
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To: kristinn
Poor Ukrainians.

Their goose was cooked the second Ubama drew another red line. Putin doesn't cotton to Ubama's red lines very well.

5 posted on 02/26/2014 6:04:56 AM PST by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
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To: kristinn

I suspect should an entry happen it will be from the south to settle any scores there first and if from the south they may move .... I know not if to the north they shall go. putin (imho) knows most of his problem is in the north. putin might open a can of worms he will not be able to ever containerize ever. putin maybe is simply thinking worms ... fishing trip. Not certain with former kgb.


6 posted on 02/26/2014 6:07:06 AM PST by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
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To: everyone

my apology for saying former kgb ... putin was and is never former kgb.


7 posted on 02/26/2014 6:08:49 AM PST by no-to-illegals (Scrutinize our government and Secure the Blessing of Freedom and Justice)
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To: kristinn

2014 rhymes with 1914.


8 posted on 02/26/2014 6:17:29 AM PST by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: kristinn
Some how I can't help but feel Putin wanted this Uprising in the Ukraine.

Even if he loses the Western Portion to the E.U. or Poland or whoever. It sounds like he will keep the Eastern Portion and Regain the Crimea. Which of Course houses the Black Sea Fleet.

Not a bad gain for the Ruskies.

9 posted on 02/26/2014 6:18:32 AM PST by KC_Lion (Build the America you want to live in at your address, and keep looking up.- Sarah Palin)
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To: kristinn

If the ethnic Russians in Ukraine’s Crimea region decide to seek independence, I fear Europe will have a war on its hands.


10 posted on 02/26/2014 6:20:43 AM PST by Carthego delenda est
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To: kristinn

Russian Army trucks in Ukraine:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=keGmnAV4_-g


11 posted on 02/26/2014 6:27:06 AM PST by cunning_fish
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To: cunning_fish

Does Russia have an Embassy, Consulate, or Naval services that are adding security there. What was the destination?


12 posted on 02/26/2014 6:36:03 AM PST by Navy Patriot (Join the Democrats, it's not Fascism when WE do it, and the Constitution and law mean what WE say.)
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To: kristinn
The idiot Carney has already said the stoner Obama will not do anything.

Putin will have his naval base, period.

How many will die in the process is the only remaining question.

13 posted on 02/26/2014 6:36:53 AM PST by Gabrial (The nightmare will continue as long as the nightmare is in the Whitehouse.)
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To: Buckeye McFrog

“Pootie’s playing Risk while Barry is playing Candyland.”

LOL! Nice!


14 posted on 02/26/2014 6:38:06 AM PST by CodeToad (Keeping whites from talking about blacks is verbal segregation!)
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To: KC_Lion
Some how I can't help but feel Putin wanted this Uprising in the Ukraine

Sure he does. Draw in the brave fighters to kill them off like sitting ducks.

15 posted on 02/26/2014 6:43:43 AM PST by jetson
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To: Navy Patriot

I have no idea, from this video it seems like a Ukrainian naval facility. A guard at checkpoint asks a cameraman what is he doing here, and cameramen asks him why do they have Russians arrived. A guard tells it is not our business, just drive away. A cameraman said he is a journalist etc.


16 posted on 02/26/2014 6:47:20 AM PST by cunning_fish
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To: CodeToad

Sounds like a good idea for political cartoon.


17 posted on 02/26/2014 6:48:18 AM PST by wally_bert (There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
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To: Navy Patriot

Another video:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uEtUe1I6824
It seems like a naval version of BTRs used by a Russian marines (with snorkels for amphibious landing).


18 posted on 02/26/2014 7:00:42 AM PST by cunning_fish
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To: Carthego delenda est

Really? What’s going to happen. Is the rest of Ukraine going to declare war on Russia? Who will back them? Is the British army ready to fight in Ukraine? Is there any popular support for that?

If the Crimea and some surrounding regions demand secession, Putin will likely unload some troops onto the peninsula via the naval base (no doubt to roaring approval from the crowds) as a show of strength, and the Kievan government will simply agree to let it go. It’s not worth fighting to keep people in the country who don’t want to be in it.’


19 posted on 02/26/2014 7:08:13 AM PST by Viennacon
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To: cunning_fish

I think Putin wanted Obama to focus on Venezuela while he took Ukraine. Obama supporting Maduro and the MSM not paying attention didn’t help Putin.


20 posted on 02/26/2014 7:08:33 AM PST by EQAndyBuzz (Insurgent Conservative)
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