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wantkitteh writes:
"The BBC is reporting that Russia has given Ukrainian military forces in Crimea a deadline of 3AM Tuesday morning to surrender or face assault. Moscow claims the position is to protect Russian civilians in Crimea following what it describes as the illegal coup in the past weeks. The Ukrainian Prime Minister has denounced Russia's actions as totally illegal and has called on it's allies to put pressure on Moscow. Russian military readiness in the area is very high with a blockade in place at Ukraine's naval headquarters and pre-positioned air and ground forces already in central locations around Crimea. Ukrainian forces are outnumbered and unprepared to face the threat. Demonstrations in the largely Russian-speaking area have supported Moscow's position while outside the area civilians are scared of what the future holds."
Russia's military has given Ukrainian forces in Crimea until dawn on Tuesday to surrender or face an assault, Ukrainian defence sources have said. The head of Russia's Black Sea Fleet Aleksander Vitko set the deadline and also threatened two warships, Ukrainian officials said. However, Interfax news agency later quoted a fleet spokesman who denied that any ultimatum had been issued. Moscow has said its troops are needed in Crimea to protect civilians. The Kremlin says people in Crimea have come under threat from "ultra-nationalists" since pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted last month. Russia is now said to be in de facto control of the Crimea region.
(Score: 5, Informative) by frojack on Monday March 03 2014, @07:35PM
You have to remember that many of these forces were already in Crimea, as
Russia has major bases there (via treaty). So we don't know if Russia actually moved more forces in or are merely using assets on hand. They had plenty there already.
The fact that all the soldiers on the streets have removed all insignia on their uniforms gives Russian authorities a thin layer of plausible deniability.
(Which of course no one believes).
Its pretty clear that this was a long planned reaction, carried out like clockwork. Much like the US taking down Panamanian Noriega, by an "invasion" from forces already in-country. (Although the US never bothered to deny it). This plan had to have been in place for years.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by dotdotdot on Monday March 03 2014, @07:45PM
I wonder if Russia was prepared for the hit [reuters.com] to their stock market: down 11.3%
Or was that also part of their plan?
(Score: 5, Insightful) by Sir Garlon on Monday March 03 2014, @07:50PM
If an investor knew the invasion was coming, he could have shorted [wikipedia.org] a lot of Russian stocks and cashed in quite nicely. So just because the market took a hit, does not imply no one came out financially ahead.
[Sir Garlon] is the marvellest knight that is now living, for he destroyeth many good knights, for he goeth invisible.
(Score: 3, Funny) by crutchy on Monday March 03 2014, @08:55PM
does goldman sachs have an office in russia?
(Score: 1) by fadrian on Tuesday March 04 2014, @03:54AM
Do dogs have fleas?
That is all.