Defy us and we will crush you... Russia's warning

dailymail.co.uk ^ | 19th August 2008 | Will Stewart

[Tailgunner Joe]

Russia yesterday threatened to 'crush' anyone who dared to defy it, after moving missile launchers within range of Georgia's capital.

The provocative move throws down the gauntlet to Nato leaders meeting today in emergency session on the new Cold War crisis.

U.S. intelligence said the Kremlin had moved several SS-21 missile launchers into the rebel enclave of South Ossetia, putting them in range of Tbilisi.

The move allows Russia to pull out of Georgia proper as it has promised but punish Tbilisi at any moment at the push of a button.

Russian president Dmitry Medvedev vowed a 'crushing response' if Georgia or anyone else dares to defy Moscow's will in the tinderbox Caucasus region. ...

Mr Medvedev was at his most hawkish since the conflict erupted, telling war veterans: 'If someone thinks they can kill our citizens, kill soldiers and officers fulfilling the role of peacekeepers, we will never allow this.

'Anyone who tries to do this will receive a shattering blow.'

His warning followed Russian threats to unleash nuclear weapons on Poland in a future conflict because Warsaw agreed to installations linked to America's defence shield.

Moscow has also indicated that it will arm its Baltic fleet with nuclear weapons.

Awarding medals to servicemen involved in the conflict in Georgia, Mr Medvedev insisted that Russia has always been 'a peace-loving nation'.

He added: 'The Russian, Soviet state has never started a war. But even the most peace-loving state should have an effective army.'

[Tailgunner Joe]

"The Russian, Soviet state has never started a war." - Russian "President" Dmitry Medvedev - UPI, RIAN

[JRandomFreeper]

Same song, second verse. The refrain remains the same. Doing it over again gets boring.

/johnny

[dr_who]

This doesn’t inspire much faith in the US. Putin isn’t done with his bag of tricks. He’s probably going to steadily ramp up this confrontation until our side backs off and he’s free to rape Georgia any way he pleases.

[2ndDivisionVet]

"The Russian, Soviet state has never started a war." - Russian "President" Dmitry Medvedev.

I don't think that was any more of a Freudian slip than Dr. Dean's "white" comment the other day.

[phatus maximus]

Until now...

[jmc813]

"The Russian, Soviet state has never started a war."

That line stuck out like a sore thumb to me too.

[Travis McGee]

Those SS-21s would be a great target for our new airborne laser. Zap them from Georgian air space in a few milliseconds. Just fry them.

[mkjessup]

Oh stop worrying everyone, Condi Rice is on the job.

[chilepepper]

CCCPv2.0 whoops! Russia must be weaker than I thought to use these tactics.

Really sad times... unfortunately, all Russia ever learned to do was build cheap but excellent weapons. With the largest nation on earth, with fabulous untapped riches and beauty in Siberia, with a brilliant populace, Russia does not live in the same time and space that we do. Russia still thinks its 1945...

[Candor7]

Those SS-21s would be a great target for our new airborne laser. Zap them from Georgian air space in a few milliseconds. Just fry them.>>>>>>>>>>>>

A couple of squadrons of A-10 Warthogs would not be so bad either.

[wastedyears]

Spoken just like the pug-headed Communists they are.

[Candor7]

Oh stop worrying everyone, Condi Rice is on the job.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

I think she needs help. Maybe we should recall Madelaine Albright??

[LibLieSlayer]

Only if osamabama wins.

LLS

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Russia yesterday threatened to 'crush' anyone who dared to defy it, after moving missile launchers within range of Georgia's capital.

Finally, some honesty.

Now, I am not a military strategist but I am a student of human nature. If Russia is following the plans of a war 70 years ago and using outdated equipment, that doesn't seem to bode well for them in the creativity and strategy department. Are they ready to fight a 21st century war? Although they do make up for those weaknesses in the pride and arrogance department (which can be used against them by the right minds :-)

[dr_who]

I'm wondering if this is a preview for a future standoff between China and the US over Taiwan. Hopefully Taiwan is better prepared for an attack than Georgia was, but with the missiles pointed at Tblisi by the aggressor, the unrestrained threats by Russia at anyone and everyone, and the fact that Georgia is in Russia's backyard makes you wonder if Putin's buddies, the Chinese are studying the dynamics of this very carefully.

Makes me wonder if free world is reaching its high water mark. Putin probably thinks so.

[the anti-liberal]

Hopefully Russia and China aren’t working together to weaken the US for mutual fun and profit, er I mean gain.

[VOA]

Are they ready to fight a 21st century war?

That's what scares the cr-p out of me.
That a vacuum tube in one of the units will flake and start the
first nuclear EXCHAGE.

I feared what could have happened before the break-up of the USSR.
I REALLY fear what might happen with an angry Russia wielding
nuclear weapons with some antiquated infrastructure.

No matter what guarantees the Russians give for peace...
I can't forget their total disregard for the treaty on Chemica/Bio weapons.
"Disregard" is too weak. They CHEATED.

[HereInTheHeartland]

I want to wake up and realize that I have just read a new Tom Clancy novel, and this isn’t real.

[redstateconfidential]

[Radix]

" Russia yesterday threatened to 'crush' anyone who dared to defy it, after moving missile launchers within range of Georgia's capital."

Since there is nobody in Washington with any real sac, if I were a Russian, I'd have no problem with such a declaration.