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To: reed13k
Well according to Wikipedia (I know its not definitive, but a quick reference) the Russian Ground Forces have 285,000 men, of which 80,000 are conscripts serving one year terms. Up to 30,000 troops are stationed in the Crimea, and a large number are fighting in Eastern Ukraine as "rebels".

The Turkish Land Forces have 315,000 men, large number of conscripts that serve one year terms. Their premier unit, the 3rd Corps, is a mechanized NATO Rapid Deployment unit. The Turks don't have too many commitments abroad so their troops are available for response to Russian aggression. I highly doubt that the Russians could scrounge together enough men to take Istanbul and the Bosporus. Attacking Turkey would also mean Russian trade from the Black Sea would be cut off, eliminating the utility of taking the Crimea in the first place. If Putin were to go to war with the Turks, he would truly be a madman.

51 posted on 02/25/2015 11:42:18 AM PST by MeatshieldActual (Texan Independence, now and forever!)
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To: MeatshieldActual

Not saying it was a good plan - just wondering if Russia would attempt to pressure Turkey on their shared border.


52 posted on 02/26/2015 11:19:54 AM PST by reed13k (For evil to triumph it is only necessary for good men to do nothings)
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