OSIMINT Monitor Russia to deploy Tu-22M3 ‘Backfire’ bombers to Crimea

Osimint Monitor ^ | April 5, 2014 | Staff

[Truth29]

Russia is to return Tupolev Tu-22M3 ‘Backfire’ long-range supersonic bombers to Crimea by 2016 as part of a build-up of maritime aviation assets on the strategic peninsula, which was seized by Moscow’s military forces earlier this month, reports Jane’s.

The nuclear-capable bombers were the backbone of Soviet naval strike units during the Cold War but were subsequently withdrawn from bases in Crimea as part of the consolidation of Russian naval aviation and force level restrictions on the peninsula imposed by the Kiev government.

[Viennacon]

Has Donetsk set a referendum date yet?

[Truth29]

I believe it is May 10th, but the separatists are not in full control of the government and Kiev is sending internal security forces to retake control so the date is problematic.

[Citizen Tom Paine]

Backfire bombers were designed to go after carrier battle groups with nuclear weapons. A war will go nuclear at sea first.

[henkster]

I’ll bet they are being piloted by the grandchildren of the guys who first flew those things.

Of course, they can say the same thing about the B-52s, and add a generation or two.

[Viennacon]

If those security forces are on camera arresting Russians, Putin will move in. It seems the Ukrainians are caught in a trap. Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.

[lacrew]

My theory has been that Putin is just ‘waiting for an atrocity’.

Get enough ethnic Russians marching in the street, and sooner or later the Ukrainians will rough one of them up.

Then Putin will move to ‘protect’ the Russian people.

[Truth29]

"Backfire bombers were designed to go after carrier battle groups with nuclear weapons. A war will go nuclear at sea first."

They won't be there for a year plus yet, if the stated plans are accurate, but this is a message to the US about carriers in the Mediterranean threatening Syria (and probably Egypt if Putin's plans pan out)>

[tcrlaf]

The biggest problem in Ukraine right now seems to be the breakdown of central authority, and the rule of law (such as it is there to begin with.)

The Svoboda Banderist militia’s are acting on their own, without gov authority, to put down dissent. Meanwhile, “freedom militia’s” are robbing people on trains, and anarchy is setting in.

Imagine a Civil War in Mexico. Would a U.S. President hesitate at all to step in were Americans in Tijuana or Cabo were being threatened?

[Truth29]

"Imagine a Civil War in Mexico. Would a U.S. President hesitate at all to step in were Americans in Tijuana or Cabo were being threatened?"

Obama???

[Trod Upon]

0bama would welcome a civil war in Mexico, because then he could open the border wider (if that's possible) to allow in all those millions of new dependent Democrats refugees.