Huge pro-EU rally grips Ukraine

[Hawk66]

Originally Posted by Skybird

No... I just miss the cold war. Politics were predictable and more stable back then.

I think chances are not low that you get a Cold War 2.0 setting, this time with different borders and players.

Sweden wants to spend more money on defense (especially buying new planes and submarines), Russia plays more games (the friendly visit of the Bear and approaching U.K waters with a DDG and so on....some indicators, I think.

It's time to rethink if the European forces should not put more emphasize on national defense....

The FAZ writes also that Putin is preparing the Russians for its new 'isolated' role. Priorities seem to be clear.

[Oberon]

The key factor is which way America wants to lean, it can't focus on Russia and China at the same time. Current indicators lean towards it wanting to focus on China, but European forces too weak and decentralised to deal with Russia without US assistance. Catch-22.

Meanwhile in Ukraine:

Footage from operations in Slavyansk:


Russian military forces mobilising and starting drills near the Ukrainian border 'in response to Ukrainian escalation' according to Russian defence minister:






Videos are unconfirmed but indicated to be taking place around the area of Novoshakhtinsk.

The attack on Slavyansk has currently been halted due to the Russia mobilisation.

The original plan for Sloviansk today was to recapture the town from separatists, including all government buildings they had taken over, a senior security official told the Kyiv Post. The operation, however, has been halted for the moment as the government is reformulating the plan based on their latest intelligence from the eastern border, the official said.

[Jimbuna]

"latest intelligence from the eastern border" being key.

[Mittelwaechter]

Look behind the curtain: http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/04/23/putins-dilemma/

[Oberon]

A Ukrainian Mi-8 has allegedly been hit in its fuel tank with an RPG whilst taking off at Kramatorsk and has exploded, the pilot managed to jump to safety. The 'Kramatorsk self-defence force' has claimed that they targeted the helicopter.



Meanwhile, at the Ukraine/Russian border, Russian forces on exercise have advanced to within one kilometer of the border.

[Dread Knot]

Well, Standard and Poors downgraded Russia's currency rating to a notch just above junk bond status today. What is there left to lose?

Goodbye Mr. Bonds.

[Oberon]

Meanwhile, a translation of some leaflets dropped by Ukranian aircraft yesterday:

[HunterICX]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Meanwhile, at the Ukraine/Russian border, Russian forces on exercise have advanced to within one kilometer of the border.

You mean these

[Betonov]

I think the entire Slovene army is considered a platoon in russian terms

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by HunterICX

You mean these

US seaboards, tomorrow morning -

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Meanwhile, a translation of some leaflets dropped by Ukranian aircraft yesterday:

Are they ligit?

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Are they ligit?

AFAIK



http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...stern-ukraine/

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

AFAIK



http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/...stern-ukraine/

Rgr that...and now the effect of sanctions may begin to have a noticeable effect.

Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's has cut Russia's rating to one notch above "junk" status.

The move comes as foreign investors continue to take money out of the country amid tensions over the situation in Ukraine.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27159423

[nikimcbee]

Curious why it's in Russian and not Ukrainian?

So, at what point should the West intervene? (if at all) If Eastern Ukraine joins Russia, do you think they will make a move on Western Ukraine?

That's going to make one nasty civil war (if it goes to that). I guess this is really going to test Ukrainian nationalism vs Russian cultural ties.
Time will tell...

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by Oberon

US seaboards, tomorrow morning -

Don't forget Seattle