Russia says it has thwarted armed Ukrainian raids on Crimea

[webfact]

Russia says it has thwarted armed Ukrainian raids on Crimea

 

 

MOSCOW: -- Russia says it has thwarted two attempts by armed Ukrainians to get into Crimea.

 

The country’s FSB security service says there have been at least two armed clashes recently on the border between Crimea and Ukraine.

It also says it has dismantled a spy network inside the annexed peninsula.

 

What has the FSB said?

The FSB says it thinks Ukrainian special forces had been planning attacks targeting critical infrastructure.

 

An FSB employee and a Russian soldier were killed in the clashes at the weekend, according to officials.

 

The FSB says it tackled one group of what it describes as Ukrainian “saboteurs” in the early hours of Sunday, smashing what it says was a Ukrainian “spy network”.

 

Ukrainian and Russian nationals were arrested.

 

20 homemade explosive devices, ammunition, mines, grenades and weapons normally used by Ukrainian special forces were recovered, the FSB said, adding that there were more incidents late on Sunday and early on Monday.

 

“Ukrainian special forces units tried to break through two more times with groups of saboteur-terrorists but were thwarted by FSB units and other forces,” a statement said.

 

“The aim of this subversive activity and terrorist acts was to destabilise the socio-political situation in the region ahead of preparations and the holding of elections,” the FSB said in a statement.

 

“I think it is obvious for everyone now that the current Kyiv authorities are not seeking a way to solve the problems through talks but choose terror. This is very concerning,” said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 

What has Ukraine said?

A spokesman for Ukrainian military intelligence has dismissed the claims as “false information”.

 

Kyiv has denied Russia’s claim of attempted armed incursion into Crimea.

 

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry said in a statement that the FSB’s assertions look like an attempt to justify “acts of aggression” and the redeployment of military units to Crimea.

 

“Representatives of the Russian special services are trying to divert the attention of the local population and the international community from criminal acts to transform the peninsula into an isolated military base,” it said.

 

“Russian accusations towards Ukraine of terrorism in the occupied Crimea sound as preposterous and cynical as the statements of the Russian leadership about the absence of the Russian troops in the Donbass (region of Ukraine),” said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

 

What is the context?

Observers say there has been a recent increase in Russian military activity in northern Crimea.

 

Fighting has also been heavier in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian government troops are battling pro-Russian separatists.

 

If true, these latest developments would be the most serious escalation on the contested peninsula since Moscow annexed it from Ukraine in 2014.

 

US and EU sanctions to punish Russia for annexing Crimea remain in place.

 

Moscow has made it clear it has no intention of handing the peninsula back to Ukraine.

 

 

-- © Copyright Euronews 2016-08-11

[arjunadawn]

Well, since the West funded and mobilized former special forces contractors and CIA assets to foment revolution by training and advising the radical far right and overthrow a democratically elected president, they might as well either continue to steer them or turn a blind eye as they act out further aggression in furtherance of Western aims.

[craigt3365]

14 minutes ago, arjunadawn said:

Well, since the West funded and mobilized former special forces contractors and CIA assets to foment revolution by training and advising the radical far right and overthrow a democratically elected president, they might as well either continue to steer them or turn a blind eye as they act out further aggression in furtherance of Western aims.

I think locals had a lot more to do with this than the West.  LOL  They didn't want to be part of Russia and desired the protection of NATO.  In hindsight, we now know why.  Russian soldiers are in their country killing Ukrainians!  Again!  History repeats itself.

[craigt3365]

Here's what started the problems.  Seems Russia was at the heart of it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_Ukrainian_revolution

 

Quote

 

After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Ukraine endured years of corruption, mismanagement, (years long) lack of economic growth, currency devaluation, and problems to secure funding from public markets.^[23][24] Successive Ukrainian governments in the 2000s sought a closer relationship with the European Union (EU).^[25][26] One of the measures meant to achieve this was an association agreement with the European Union, which would have provided Ukraine with funds in return for liberalising reforms.^[27] President Yanukovych announced his intention to sign the agreement, but ultimately refused to do so at the last minute.^[28] This sparked a wave of protests called the "Euromaidan" movement.^[29] During these protests Yanukovych signed a treaty and multibillion-dollar loan with Russia.^[29] The Ukrainian security forces cracked down on the protesters, further inflaming the situation and resulting in a series of violent clashes in the streets of Kiev.^[30] As tensions rose, Yanukovych fled to Russia and did not return.^[29]

 

Russia refused to recognize the new interim government, calling the revolution a coup d'état,^[31] and began a military reenforcement of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine.^[32][33] The newly appointed interim government of Ukraine signed the EU association agreement and agreed to reform the country's judiciary and political systems, as well as its financial and economic policies. The International Monetary Fund pledged more than $18 billion in loans contingent on Ukraine's adopting those reforms.^[34] The revolution was followed by pro-Russian unrest in some south-eastern regions,^[35][36] a standoff with Russia regarding the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol,^[37][38] and a war between the Ukrainian government and Russia-backed separatists in the Donbass.^[39][40][41]

 

 

[simple1]

54 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

I think locals had a lot more to do with this than the West.  LOL  They didn't want to be part of Russia and desired the protection of NATO.  In hindsight, we now know why.  Russian soldiers are in their country killing Ukrainians!  Again!  History repeats itself.

 

As you know there is an undeclared low intensity war in Eastern Ukraine and at its 'hottest' around 8,500 deaths within one year with 1million+ internally displaced. Ukrainian forces could be stirring the pot, though to me the goal/s of a political end game is baffling to say the least.

 

I provide the link below, but treat with caution as the reporter has been accused of being yet another conspiracy theorist.

https://off-guardian.org/2016/05/14/cia-undermining-and-nazifying-ukraine-since-1953/

 

[craigt3365]

Hard to argue with the Ukrainian forces stirring the pot.  It's there sovereign territory!!!  Not Russia's.

[LomSak27]

 Ukrainian forces could be stirring the pot, though to me the goal/s of a political end game is baffling to say the least.

 

You only think that if you troll for Vlad. Every one else thinks this is the False Flag Op. that Vlad is putting out before he chops off some more Ukranian dirt, or creating a crisis that only he can solve ...   Yawn  

[derator01]

Please stick to the topic.  And recent history.

[Naam]

2 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Hard to argue with the Ukrainian forces stirring the pot.  It's there sovereign territory!!!  Not Russia's.

the Crimea was a present from Khruschev to the (then) Ukrainian brothers during the Soviet era in 1954. when these brothers planned to become Russia's enemies (e.g. NATO missiles at the Russian border, kicking out the Russian Black Sea fleet from Sevastopol harbour, et al) this present was taken back.

 

note: don't sakru with Putin  

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954_transfer_of_Crimea

 

 

[simple1]

2 hours ago, LomSak27 said:

 Ukrainian forces could be stirring the pot, though to me the goal/s of a political end game is baffling to say the least.

 

You only think that if you troll for Vlad. Every one else thinks this is the False Flag Op. that Vlad is putting out before he chops off some more Ukranian dirt, or creating a crisis that only he can solve ...   Yawn  

 

"Troll for Vlad" - LOL. Reconsider my post & you will realise I was suggesting a possible scenario which you outlined.

[craigt3365]

39 minutes ago, Naam said:

the Crimea was a present from Khruschev to the (then) Ukrainian brothers during the Soviet era in 1954. when these brothers planned to become Russia's enemies (e.g. NATO missiles at the Russian border, kicking out the Russian Black Sea fleet from Sevastopol harbour, et al) this present was taken back.

 

note: don't sakru with Putin  

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1954_transfer_of_Crimea

 

Understood!  But it was given to Ukraine, legally.  Not taken from Russia at the end of a gun.  Like Russia did when they took it back.  With tanks! LOL

 

If Crimea wants to be reunited with Russia, they should have done a legal referendum like Scotland did.  Not one done after an invasion.

[mrwebb8825]

Who really cares? What a waste of a naval fleet in an enclosed body of water. The whole area is as closely associated with Russia as it is with the Ukraine. If there was a contractual agreement in place before the "leader" was overthrown then it should be honored.

 

Isn't this why Obama has just shipped $400 million cash to Iran? Due to an original contractual agreement signed by a previous leader?

[Naam]

57 minutes ago, craigt3365 said:

 

Understood!  But it was given to Ukraine, legally.  Not taken from Russia at the end of a gun.  Like Russia did when they took it back.  With tanks! LOL

 

If Crimea wants to be reunited with Russia, they should have done a legal referendum like Scotland did.  Not one done after an invasion.

 

i am looking at it from the perspective of a long time soldier. taking the Crimea was a strategic decision to secure the home of the Black Sea Fleet and its presence in the Mediterranean. strategic decisions are not carried out by legal referenda but preferably by swift actions. 

 

[Naam]

1 hour ago, mrwebb8825 said:

Who really cares? What a waste of a naval fleet in an enclosed body of water. The whole area is as closely associated with Russia as it is with the Ukraine. If there was a contractual agreement in place before the "leader" was overthrown then it should be honored.

 

Isn't this why Obama has just shipped $400 million cash to Iran? Due to an original contractual agreement signed by a previous leader?

 

perhaps you should brush up your geography knowledge as far as "enclosed bodies of water" are concerned?

 

 

[SOTIRIOS]

...and who is it that is furnishing arms to The Ukraine...???

[craigt3365]

4 minutes ago, SOTIRIOS said:

...and who is it that is furnishing arms to The Ukraine...???

They've always been in the top 10 countries for weapons exports.  Even Thailand has, and will, purchase arms from them.

[Guest]

Why does Russia want to have a war with Ukraine? They already occupied Crimea and the situation has been status quo ever since. Why now they start another war?

 

Is this simply to please the home audience of Russian home politics? Putin sees troubles ahead inside Russia and tries to once again, direct the focus to a war, outside of domestic issues? What else there is to gain for Putin with a full war with Ukraine?

The timing, during autumn and  oncoming winter is good for that. Russia still provides a lot of gas for Europe, which could see a shortage during the winter months. Therefore Europe might not be so keen to add more restrictions to the Russia's exports. 

 

 

[craigt3365]

Focusing on external "enemies" to get the population rallied up is a classic trick for the Russians.  Times are tough in Russia now and they don't seem to be getting much better.

[ilostmypassword]

7 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Focusing on external "enemies" to get the population rallied up is a classic trick for the Russians.  Times are tough in Russia now and they don't seem to be getting much better.

It's a classic trick for a lot of countries. i.e. George W. Bush's Iraq war for example.

[craigt3365]

39 minutes ago, ilostmypassword said:

It's a classic trick for a lot of countries. i.e. George W. Bush's Iraq war for example.

Completely different.  The US wasn't having economic problems then.  This was a response to the World Trade Centers, where I worked.  Russia is doing this because their economy is in a shambles and the people are starting to get upset.

 

http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/26/news/russia-protests-economy/?iid=EL

 

Quote

Official statistics show that over 20 million Russians, roughly 14% of the population, are now living in poverty. That compares with 16 million in 2014.

 

http://money.cnn.com/2016/08/11/news/economy/russia-economy-recession-six-quarters/index.html

[Naam]

19 hours ago, oilinki said:

Why does Russia want to have a war with Ukraine? They already occupied Crimea and the situation has been status quo ever since. Why now they start another war?

 

Is this simply to please the home audience of Russian home politics? Putin sees troubles ahead inside Russia and tries to once again, direct the focus to a war, outside of domestic issues? What else there is to gain for Putin with a full war with Ukraine?

The timing, during autumn and  oncoming winter is good for that. Russia still provides a lot of gas for Europe, which could see a shortage during the winter months. Therefore Europe might not be so keen to add more restrictions to the Russia's exports. 

 

 

 

who says that Putin wants to have a war with the Ukraine? there's an ethnic Russian majority in the estern Ukraine which is fighting for autonomy. of course Putin is supporting that fight because the status quo and perhaps later developments prevent NATO missiles stationed directly at the Ukrainian/Russian border.

[manfredtillmann]

On 8/11/2016 at 0:55 PM, Naam said:

 

perhaps you should brush up your geography knowledge as far as "enclosed bodies of water" are concerned?

 

 

wouldn't take much to 'enclose', even just for a few strategic days...

a blown up bridge at istanbul?

[halloween]

2 hours ago, Naam said:

 

who says that Putin wants to have a war with the Ukraine? there's an ethnic Russian majority in the estern Ukraine which is fighting for autonomy. of course Putin is supporting that fight because the status quo and perhaps later developments prevent NATO missiles stationed directly at the Ukrainian/Russian border.

If he pushes the border south, they will still be on the border. You know Hitler used the same excuse to start annexing parts of his neighbours.

[craigt3365]

3 hours ago, Naam said:

 

who says that Putin wants to have a war with the Ukraine? there's an ethnic Russian majority in the estern Ukraine which is fighting for autonomy. of course Putin is supporting that fight because the status quo and perhaps later developments prevent NATO missiles stationed directly at the Ukrainian/Russian border.

There's an ethnic majority of serious proportions in Southern California.  Should that allow Mexico to send tanks and troops in to take it for their own? 

 

No conflicts means no missiles on the border with Russia.  History is filled with the problems Russia has created in this area.  As you well know.

[AlexStepashkin]

On 11.08.2016 at 2:46 AM, craigt3365 said:

I think locals had a lot more to do with this than the West.  LOL  They didn't want to be part of Russia and desired the protection of NATO.

 

Majority of locals wanted to be associated with Russia.

[AlexStepashkin]

On 11.08.2016 at 4:31 PM, oilinki said:

Why does Russia want to have a war with Ukraine?

 

 

It doesn't.

[volka]

On 8/11/2016 at 6:46 AM, craigt3365 said:

I think locals had a lot more to do with this than the West.  LOL  They didn't want to be part of Russia and desired the protection of NATO.  In hindsight, we now know why.  Russian soldiers are in their country killing Ukrainians!  Again!  History repeats itself.

do you have a credible, independent source to back up this claims?

[volka]

18 hours ago, craigt3365 said:

Focusing on external "enemies" to get the population rallied up is a classic trick for the Russians.  Times are tough in Russia now and they don't seem to be getting much better.

So having NATO build up on your door step is imaginary?

[seedy]

Flaming  posts and quoted replies Removed.

[craigt3365]

7 hours ago, AlexStepashkin said:

 

Majority of locals wanted to be associated with Russia.

Could be. Then put it to a vote, one that's clean, and supported by the Ukraine government.  It's also up to the rest of the population in Ukraine.  It is a sovereign country with designated borders.  If the locals don't like living in Ukraine, then move!  Not hard to do.

 

But you can't just invade a country and take it's land.  That's illegal.  And just being a bully.