03-13-2014, 08:45 PM
Sunday, Bloody Sunday?
So, count down to the Crimea vote -- it's scheduled for Sunday, March 16th.
The largely Russian population there will vote on whether to remain part of the Ukraine under its government, or to secede from the Ukraine and become an independent region (and then it can apply to become part of Russia; Putin has made it abundantly clear that he's all for taking control of Crimea).
Despite threats of sanctions and asset-freezing from Europe and the US -- and pleas to Putin to engage in conflict resolution talks with global leaders -- Russia is moving full speed ahead and essentially flipping its critics the bird.
Here's what's going down there now in prep for Sunday's vote:
Russia announced on Thursday it had started military exercises near the border with Ukraine in what is likely to be seen as a show of force in the standoff with Kiev and the West over Crimea.
Separately, the ministry said Russia had sent six Su-27 jet fighters and three military transport planes to ally Belarus, responding to a request prompted by joint U.S.-Polish exercises in NATO nation Poland, Interfax reported.
The Defence Ministry confirmed exercises had begun in the Southern Military District near the Ukrainian border, involving 8,500 artillery men. The exercise includes a large number of artillery and Grad (Hail), Hurricane and Tornado multiple-rocket launchers, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on its website.
Also involved are Howitzers, Nona self-propelled artillery and Rapier anti-tank guns, and the aim is to improve cooperation with motorised infantry, tank, air-assault and marine units.
Ref: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/13...57225.html
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If the majority of the people in Crimea vote to secede (and it sure seems to be the most likely outcome based on media reports), really hoping it doesn't incite a civil war between western and eastern Ukraine -- with Russia supplying the military for the east and NATO countries being driven to support the western Ukraine.
Would be nice to read in tomorrow morning's news that Putin has agreed to talk and has encouraged the Crimea Parliament to call off the vote. Possible, but highly unlikely - IMO.
So, count down to the Crimea vote -- it's scheduled for Sunday, March 16th.
The largely Russian population there will vote on whether to remain part of the Ukraine under its government, or to secede from the Ukraine and become an independent region (and then it can apply to become part of Russia; Putin has made it abundantly clear that he's all for taking control of Crimea).
Despite threats of sanctions and asset-freezing from Europe and the US -- and pleas to Putin to engage in conflict resolution talks with global leaders -- Russia is moving full speed ahead and essentially flipping its critics the bird.
Here's what's going down there now in prep for Sunday's vote:
Russia announced on Thursday it had started military exercises near the border with Ukraine in what is likely to be seen as a show of force in the standoff with Kiev and the West over Crimea.
Separately, the ministry said Russia had sent six Su-27 jet fighters and three military transport planes to ally Belarus, responding to a request prompted by joint U.S.-Polish exercises in NATO nation Poland, Interfax reported.
The Defence Ministry confirmed exercises had begun in the Southern Military District near the Ukrainian border, involving 8,500 artillery men. The exercise includes a large number of artillery and Grad (Hail), Hurricane and Tornado multiple-rocket launchers, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on its website.
Also involved are Howitzers, Nona self-propelled artillery and Rapier anti-tank guns, and the aim is to improve cooperation with motorised infantry, tank, air-assault and marine units.
Ref: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/13...57225.html
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If the majority of the people in Crimea vote to secede (and it sure seems to be the most likely outcome based on media reports), really hoping it doesn't incite a civil war between western and eastern Ukraine -- with Russia supplying the military for the east and NATO countries being driven to support the western Ukraine.
Would be nice to read in tomorrow morning's news that Putin has agreed to talk and has encouraged the Crimea Parliament to call off the vote. Possible, but highly unlikely - IMO.