Russian warships 'open fire on Ukrainian artillery ships' in Black Sea

Evening Standard ^ | 11/25/18 | Katy Clifton

[blueyon]

The Ukrainian navy has accused Russia of opening fire on some of its ships in the Black Sea, striking two vessels and wounding two crew members.

The navy made the statement after a day of rising tensions during which Russia stopped three Ukrainian navy vessels from entering the Sea of Azov via the Kerch Strait by placing a huge cargo ship beneath a Russian-controlled bridge.

[Shady]

It is going to be an interesting week...

[Zhang Fei]

[Trump has no choice but to play into the Dems hands now.]

---

The Dems want to appease Russia while making a show of verbal outrage. I don’t think that’s what Trump will do.

[Eleutheria5]

Whatever it is, I’m against it.

[dynachrome]

Bloodlands

https://www.amazon.com/Bloodlands-Europe-Between-Hitler-Stalin/dp/0465031471/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1543188189&sr=1-1&keywords=bloodlands+europe+between+hitler+and+stalin

“The author recounts how first Stalin and then Hitler undertook various programs/campaigns against the Polish, Belorussian, Ukrainian and Baltic populaces, as well as against those of the Jewish faith. In a combined campaign of extermination, over 14 million people were killed essentially because of where they lived, what religion they practiced, or if for some reason they were viewed as a threat”

[Zhang Fei]

[Ukrainian Air Force now alerted to full combat readiness. All tactical/attack assets are required to be airborne within 15-30 minutes, once called upon.

That would be interesting. How long would they last.]

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They have a lot of S-300 batteries capable of reaching deep into Russian airspace. I’d expect a Mexican standoff. Neither air force will do much in order to conserve expensive combat aircraft.

[dynachrome]

twitter fwiw:

More
#BREAKING: Ukraine’s president will propose to parliament tomorrow enforcing military law, amid crisis with Russia

https://twitter.com/AmichaiStein1

[McGruff]

Typical of dictators in trouble. Didn't Erdogan do the same.

[pepsi_junkie]

The Ukraine hosts what has historically been one of Russia's only warm water ports. That is, the only port they have that doesn't ice up for significant portions of the year. They ceded it to Ukraine when the USSR collapsed but on condition of a 20 year lease. Since that lease expired the Russians have been concerned about losing access to that port, and taking steps to ensure they don't. With power in Ukraine shifting away from pro-Russian view, this became urgent to them. The port in question is their only way of controlling the Black Sea and projecting power and commerce throughout the Mediterranean. It is, in their view, essential and they will never willingly walk away from it.

That's what all their adventures in Ukraine are about.

[dp0622]

Always enjoy your posts :)

You get right to the point.

[SaveFerris]

[ A year round warm water port with unrestricted acted to the Mediterranean. ]

Yes. Black Sea along the way.

FReepmail

[heights]

This is an “In Your Face” to Mommy Merkel’s “Army” talk. Chess Move 0ne#.

[caww]

Oh my gosh if Putin wanted Ukraine he’d of had it long long before now....Poroshenko’s got his pants in a knot as The New Russian Turkey Pipe Line is done he wanted to run through Ukraine...... along with the Bridge connecting Crimea to Russia, which BTW Poroshenko threatened to blow up.....you try and play footsie for weeks under Putins Bridge with your boats expect a response. Besides I smell Hillary and Barrack hands all over this since Pence just met with Russia and Trump to meet at G-20 soon with Putin...as well as possible Buenos Aeries in the near future.

[Jmouse007]

This has absolutely nothing to do with any pipeline. You are just a shill for Putin. The Russians have no territorial claims on that area of the Black Sea. They stole it, like they stole and annexed Crimea.

As for the bridge the Russians threw up to support and supply theif oppressive military insurgency; since Putin placed TACTICAL NUCLEAR WEAPONS in Crimea, and turned all of Crimea into a giant Russian gulag, that bridge represents a valid military target.

[Sequoyah101]

Pretty bridge.

[billakay]

What are they trying to accomplish? Defense of their territory!

These Ukranian ships made a run for the brand-new Crimean bridge while completely disregarding all protocols regarding notification to the controlling authorities of the strait.

If you or I were in charge of the defensive force in the area, we most likely would have made the same decision. Compound this with the fact that the "President" of Ukraine immediately declared martial law after this incident, which allows him to cancel the upcoming election (where he was polling ~10%).

[billakay]

Putin is defending his territory against Ukranian aggression. Why is that whenever Ukraine acts belligerently and Russia responds, its always Russia’s fault?

[billakay]

If the Ukrainians do this, they are asking for a full-scale invasion. They will be defeated militarily in days, and the Russians will have both the military and moral win.

[dfwgator]

If the Ukrainians do this, they are asking for a full-scale invasion. They will be defeated militarily in days, and the Russians will have both the military and moral win.

[billakay]

Gulag? Have you been to Crimea? By all accounts, it is quite beautiful, and as far from a military-occupied territory as you can get.

Russia has full authority to put tactical nukes on any of its territories, which Crimea most certainly is.

[billakay]

Disclaimer to my previous comment: I haven't been yet, but I know many people who both visit regularly and live there.

I was planning to go this past summer, but the drive from Krasnodar was too far with two one-year-olds. We went to Gelendzhik instead. South Russia is a beautiful place to spend summers with the family.

We will be back in Russia next summer, so as long as Ukraine has been put in their place by then, we will likely go.