Crimean Army gets 49 fighter jets from Ukrainian air bases - official (defection from Ukrainian AF)

Russia Beyond Headlines ^

[kronos77]

The 204th fight-jet airbase of the Ukrainian Air Force, which has 49 aircraft in service, has sided with the government of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, a local government representative told Interfax on Monday.

"Today the command of the 204th base in Belbek has announced it is taking the side of the Crimean people," he said, adding that the base is more than 800 strong.

"The Belbek airfield has 45 Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters and four L-39 trainer aircraft. Of them, only four fighters and one trainer are in good condition," the official said.

Thus, "the total number of the Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen, who have sided with the Crimean people, has approached 6,000," the source said.

[Ingtar]

I love how they have learned from our DC politicians: including autonomous in the title as if that were truly the case.

[Carriage Hill]

"The 204th fight-jet airbase of the Ukrainian Air Force, which has 49 aircraft in service, ... "The Belbek airfield has 45 Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters and four L-39 trainer aircraft. Of them, only four fighters and one trainer are in good condition,"...

Not a good omen.

[meatloaf]

If the Ukrainian air force defectors are smart, they’ll get the Russians to take care of getting all of the planes in operational condition.

[Obadiah]

...Of them, only four fighters and one trainer are in good condition," the official said.

Oh, great. That'll help. Wow.

[Sacajaweau]

Crimea has a different 4relationship with the Ukraine than the other “districts”. And autonomous is a piece of that difference.

[amigatec]

I guess they can always tow the aircraft to the other side.

[DJ MacWoW]

FR To The Finish Line!

[nomad]

So, I keep hearing about how ALL those Ukrainians want to be in the EU, really?

[edcoil]

So 95% of their Air Force is non-operational?

[Viennacon]

I doubt the military is in favor of that. All countries that have joined the EU have seen a de-focus on the military.

[McGruff]

I thought they all hated Putin?

[goldstategop]

In all the blather from the West, its funny no one stopped to ask the Crimeans what they want.

They want to be with Russia. I guess Western support for self-determination and democracy vanishes when someone isn’t your friend.

Real people do live in Crimea and no one has noticed most of them in fact are ethnic Russian. It was only the edict of a long dead Soviet dictator that formally landed them is what is now Ukraine.

[Red Badger]

“Back In The U.S.S.R.”
THE BEATLES

Oh, flew in from Miami Beach B.O.A.C.
Didn’t get to bed last night
On the way the paper bag was on my knee
Man I had a dreadful flight
I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
You don’t know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.S.R. (Yeah)

Been away so long I hardly knew the place
Gee it’s good to be back home
Leave it till tomorrow to unpack my case
Honey disconnect the phone
I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
You don’t know how lucky you are boy
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.
Back in the U.S.S.R.

Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia’s always on my mind

Aw come on!
Ho yeah!
Ho yeah!
Ho ho yeah!
Yeah yeah!

Yeah I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
You don’t know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.

Well the Ukraine girls really knock me out
They leave the West behind
And Moscow girls make me sing and shout
That Georgia’s always on my mind

Oh, show me around your snow-peaked mountains way down south
Take me to your daddy’s farm
Let me hear your balalaika’s ringing out
Come and keep your comrade warm
I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
Hey you don’t know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R.

Oh let me tell you, honey
Hey, I’m back!
I’m back in the U.S.S.R.
Yes, I’m free!
Yeah, back in the U.S.S.R.

Ha ha

[txrefugee]

Tell us again why it’s wonderful to have Muslims in all the branches of our military and in the CIA and FBI. When we fight the next war....and there is a good chance Muslims will be involved...we should expect the same sabotage that the Russians in the Ukrainian Air Force are committing.

[ExpatCanuck]

This is already over.It can conclude with minimal bloodshed and desctruction or it can get bloody, but the end result will be the same.

[freedomfiter2]

The west doesn’t support self determination.

[Ingtar]

The Soviets (yes, the Russian government still has that mindset) moved in and the new name is Autonomous. That does not seem likely to last.

[Vroomfondel]

All countries that have joined the EU have seen a de-focus on the military.

Fewer than 1/10th of their fighters are operational. How much worse could the EU make it?

[Bogey78O]

They voted back in the 90s