Yup... Interesting times ahead in that part of the world... Same as it ever was...

Unfortunately, the way things are going there, soon you won't need links, just watch TV...

Just like Syria...

I just finished reading a novel called "Warrior Class"  Which was about the new US president downsizing the military,  and declaring that the US would no longer be fulfilling the role of world policeman.  Also Russion intervention in the Ukraine and Baltics.   Talk about life imitating art....

Wow... talk about "what if?"....  Who wrote that novel?

Dang! And it all across the border from me! I wish hey wouldn't start a war there. Wish us all luck

Paweł

we do because you would be the first battlefield in a russia vs NATO war

Things are heating up.... Almost like 1956, 1968, and 1979 again...  Following the same game plan- seize the airports to fly in more troops and take over the government buildings. I wonder if the Russkies still use ASU's?

What is ASU?

And how do you gentlemen think a war there would look like? No doubt that Russia is stronger but at what price? How long?

Any thoughts? What ifs...

An ASU is the airborne self propelled gun, such as the ASU-85. They were replaced by the BMD in Soviet Airborne Units after being used in the initial invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. They were also  used in Czechoslovakia during the invasion there in 1968.

How would a war in Ukraine look? Ugly if course, and with both sides using variations of the same equipment.

Hmmm, I think this thread is straying into the political arena.  Probably a no-no for the mods.

As to the original question, I guess Wikipedia might help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Ukraine

They did give up their nuclear weapons.  (I would have "lost" a couple in the accounting.)

Well I am seeing photos of those HMMWV type vehicles that the Russians are using, along with some BTRs. There are kits of these in 1/35 I believe.

And GAF if you are referring to my comments regarding Soviet invasions of the past, I was speaking of them in historical context and how they playbook has not seemed to have changed. From a military perspective the Russians have tightened up their shot group and are not the same inept batch that went into Chechnya, but are demostrating competence of the highest level so far in their apparent operations.

GAF nah we haven't strayed into the political arena yet. used you link and readiin OOBs is going to be interesting since at least 1 ukrainian bde has 3 regiments and numerous spt bns. looks more like a small division. so a unit list by itself may not show the whole picture

STIK you're right it looks like the russians learned there lessons. lots of humveeskis (aka TIGERs) and BTRs. the MENG kit looks pretty nice. pulled it out this morning.

only one land bridge into crimea and the russain navy controls the black sea so thats the only way in. it will depend on what ukrainian units in crimera supprt their government, which ones support the russians and which ones will fire on civilians and which civilians they will be firing on.

the west will bloviate but really can't do anything militarily unless every country in NATO decides to act. economically the russains could lose on the gas lines but i don't see the europeans boycotting that. i suppose the turks could close the straits but i doubt that too. i don't think chinese is in a position to want to do anuthing. i think they have more internal difficulties than is being reported. looks like s done deal and maybe much of eastern ukraine also secedes and joins russia.

STIK> Nope!  Not directed at anyone personally. Hope no one takes my reminder as anything more than what it is...

WAYNEC>  Yep.  You are correct, sir.  After Abkhazia and South Ossetia, I think the Crimea will fall under Russian influence. Lots of Russian oil pipelines running to the Balkans and Southern Europe through this area.  http://www.rferl.org/content/Long_Term_Moscow_Kyiv_Gas_Dispute_Redraw_Europe_Energy_Map/1374075.html

POLITICS>  Let me see...  The world in a state of depressed economy.  The US armed forces severely weak.  A political power annexing neighboring parts of nations with little to no consequence... This all sounds vaguely familiar.

If President Obama meets with President Putin and comes back declaring "peace in our time", I'm moving into the bunker! 

Lol! Yes I have been thinking that there are some historic parallels to 1938 as well. I am curious if there is a Russian equivelant for "lebensraum".

From a diplomatic standpoint I see the West stomping their collective feet and making unhappy statements. But I don't see any NATO country, let alone the whole alliance putting anybody in harms way over this. The force projection challenges alone make it difficult to attempt at best. But this potentially could lead to a new "cold war" and east/west confrontation. Not so idealogical as last time, but more regionally geopolitical.

i, too, have been thinking of  the historic parallels though right now my history fovus is on ww1; reading THE SLEEPWALKERS about the politics from 1900-1914 and will pick up a book on monday SAVAGE CONTINRNT about the wars just after ww1. some interesting parallels there too.

in the'30s i gues you could say the russian term for lebensraum was UKRAINE sinc e most of the russians there now probably come from the relocation of russians to ulraiine after starving and/or exiling many of the ukrainians. what's the russian word for "carpethagger"?

Yankee? ;-)

stikpusher

Yankee? ;-)

Yeah...that's 'bout right!

LOL Yankeeski works for me too.

I keep thinking of that Bugs Bunny/Yosemite Sam cartoon where Sam is guarding the Mason Dixon line and thinks that Bugs is a Yankee...

"Vladimir, this is Chancellor Merkel calling"

"Vladimir, could you turn the music down a little?"

"There, that's better.."

"Vladimir, please stop yelling. Have you been drinking?"

stikpusher

I keep thinking of that Bugs Bunny/Yosemite Sam cartoon where Sam is guarding the Mason Dixon line and thinks that Bugs is a Yankee...

I remember that one. Yosemite Sam: "Now I've got to go burn my boots! They done touched yankee soil!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybbwaL22j0o&feature=player_detailpage

oh Lord the last thing i need is to go into the STRANGELOVEverse. i am already in 3 other universes including  the ENDERverse and the ALAN LEWRIEvverse

mississippivol

stikpusher

I keep thinking of that Bugs Bunny/Yosemite Sam cartoon where Sam is guarding the Mason Dixon line and thinks that Bugs is a Yankee...

I remember that one. Yosemite Sam: "Now I've got to go burn my boots! They done touched yankee soil!"

"he's not in there..."

"If'n I had four feet and went 'Hee Haw', what would I be?"

Ukraine has mobilised 16,000 troops and Ukrainian warships at anchor in the Crimea have told media that Russians have asked for their surrender.  This will get ugly.

Gamera's Rule of Life Number 57: Never get on the bad side of someone named Vlad...

Yeah, on a serious note I can't see any ending to this without a lot of bloodshed.  

You come to Mother Russia, or Mother Russia comes to you!