Ukraine Crisis: Russia Deploys Ships and Troops in Crimea

International Business TImes ^ | 2/25/2014 | International Business TImes

[Dallas59]

Russia is believed to be deploying military ships carrying troops in the disputed autonomous Crimea region of Ukraine, as Moscow continues to refuse to recognise the interim administration which has taken control of Kiev.

Reports suggest the movement of Russia's large landing ship Nikolai Filchenkov, with at least 200 soldiers onboard, at the Russian Black Sea Fleet's base at Sevastopol.

The ship is said to be accompanied by at least four other vessels with an unknown number of Special Forces Troops onboard, sailing from the Russian port of Anapa to the Crimean/Ukrainian Sevastopol.

Oleh Tyahnybok, leader of the nationalist Ukrainian Svoboda, said he has proof of the movement in the form of a text message.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Is Putin about to rebuild the Soviet Union? One piece at a time.

[Gene Eric]

Syria, Crimea, oh my...what’s the series One to do?

[gasport]

“What difference does it make?”

[ImNotLying]

Probably do what he always does in a world crisis situation: Play golf.

[Stoat]

Reports suggest the movement of Russia's large landing ship Nikolai Filchenkov, with at least 200 soldiers onboard, at the Russian Black Sea Fleet's base at Sevastopol.

 

It "may" hold considerably more than just 200 soldiers......

Large Landing Ship -Nikolay Filchenkov- - Project 1171 - Alligator Class

 

Specifications
Builder:	Yantar Zavod, Kaliningrad
Year:	1975
Displacement:	4,650 tons full load
Speed:	16,5 knots
Range:	10,000 miles at 15 kts
Dimensions:	113.1 x 15.6 x 4.5 meters/371.1 x 51.2 x 14.7 feet
Propulsion:	2 diesels, 9,000 hp, 2 shafts
Crew:	55
Cargo:	300 troops + 1,700 tons including about 20 tanks and various trucks or 40 AFV's
Missiles:	3 SA-N-5 Grail launchers manual aiming 122 mm UMS-73 Grad-M bombardment RL
Guns:	1 dual 57 mm/70 DP  2 dual 25 mm AA

 

[Freelance Warrior]

Russia rents the Sevastopol naval base from Ukraine, and any movement of such q’ty of personnel/equipment is a routine day-to-day activity.

[ScaniaBoy]

Yesterday it was DEBKA and today it is the leader of Svoboda via text message. Sigh!

And of course ýou are right. It is even stated in the article that Russia has 26000 soldiers stationed in the Crimea. So what difference will 200 more make?

[ballplayer]

Into the Valley of death rode the 600...,can Errol Flynn be far behind?

[mikey_hates_everything]

Too cold now in DC for golf. He’ll be headed out West just like a couple of weeks ago, watch.

[kenmcg]

The Olympics are over now Putin will get down to business. He won't let Ukraine go, keep in mind Obama; let Vlady know that when I get reelected we'll be able to deal.

[Forward the Light Brigade]

Putin isn’t going about putting together the old USSR—he’s putting together the Czarist Empire of Pre-1914. He need the Crimea for its naval bases and ports—this will not be permitted to slip away.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Could be.

[OldNewYork]

I thought as much. What are the chances Khruschev’s gift will be returned?

[Freelance Warrior]

I thought as much. What are the chances Khruschev’s gift will be returned?

It depends on the locals' success, I don't think Putin will openly move Russian troops but secretly supporting the right groups is another thing. But if the Ukrainian chaos lasts a little too long the things may change.