Ukranian Crisis

[gf0012-aust]

Just in...

Russia’s Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters has issued travel restrictions to all employees like the country’s firefighters, ambulance drivers and rescue troopers, reports LifeNews.

A similar travel ban is imposed for parts of employees under the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) including tens of thousands of police officers, prison guards, and other law enforcement agencies like the Federal Drug Control and the Federal Migration Service. Others listed are people with access to state secrets, like certain employees of the Foreign Ministry. According to estimates, they are around 250,000 people.

The two reasons given to explain the travel ban are to take measure to prevent leaks of secrets and secondly, to prevent the possibility of being arrested by U.S. law enforcement agencies.

MVD has prepared a blacklist of 150 countries their employees no longer can visit. Norway, Sweden and Finland are on the list, as well as all other EU member countries and nations around the world that have an agreement with the U.S. on mutual extradition, reports Izvestia. Countries like North Korea, Cuba and Vietnam are not on the list.

Blogger51 in Murmansk reports that there is a lively discussion among police officers in an online blog-forum. Many express their frustration after already made bookings to foreign travel destinations.

Head of visa-section at Norway’s Consulate General in Murmansk, Marit Egholm Jacobsen, says to BarentsObserver that they haven’t seen any signs of less visa applications due to the travel bans. She underlines, however, that they have no possibilities to read out of the statistics which occupational group the applicants belong to. “We have had a decline in applications of 9 percent compared with the same period last year,” says Marit Egholm Jacobsen, but explains this with the the weaker ruble and fact that more of the visas issued are valid for several years.

The duration of the travel ban is yet unclear. It is also unclear if it will cause any trouble for cross-border cooperation where the people in question are involved. In the Norwegian - Russian border areas, several law enforcement agencies have teamed up for closer collaboration in the last few years. Head of Police in Eastern Finnmark, Ellen Katrin Hætta, says to BarentsObserver she is not informed about the travel ban and can’t comment on it.

“So far, we have ongoing cooperation that goes as planned according to established plans,” she says.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, exceptions would be made in “exceptional circumstances” and for “good reason.”

 

[KiwiRob]

Speaking of Norway, Russia has improved the border defences between Norway and Russia. What is rather ironic IMO is the truck mounted searchlights (3kw xenon) they are using are manufactured in Norway by NorseLight.

FSB border guards | Barentsobserver

 

[Feanor]

Updates.

An ambush near Kramatorsk on a Ukrainian airborne column. Confirmed are 7 soldiers dead, 1 truck and 1 BTR destroyed. Rebels claim a higher death toll. The rebels also claim that the 102 deserters recently reported are actually KIA, and the government is concealing losses.

EDIT: On further investigation, the claim about the desertion being an attempt to write off casualties probably comes from an online rumor. Feel free to disregard.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - Бой под КраматорÑком. ОбновлÑÐµÐ¼Ð°Ñ Ð·Ð°Ð¿Ð¸ÑÑŒ
Под КраматорÑком произошло боевое Ñтолкновение между украинÑкими Ñиловиками и ополченцами
u-96.livejournal.com/3408618.html

The Donetsk referendum had a magical 100.63% participation rate. In other words, when you add together the percentages of those who voted for different options, you get 100.63%. Probably a counting error, but illustrates the flimsiness of the referendum.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: "Âîëøåáíûé" ðåôåðåíäóì â Äîíåöêîé îáëàñòè: â ãîëîñîâàíèè ïðèíÿëè ó÷àñòèå 100,63% ïðèøåäøèõ íà ó÷àñòêè

Another accident in the Ukrainian military, a fire inside an SP arty piece, wounding two service members.

Во Ð²Ñ€ÐµÐ¼Ñ ÑƒÑ‡ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ð¹ Ñгорела ÑÐ°Ð¼Ð¾Ñ…Ð¾Ð´Ð½Ð°Ñ Ð³Ð°ÑƒÐ±Ð¸Ñ†Ð° вооруженных Ñил Украины

Russian helicopters is preparing contracts for helicopter repair plants in Crimea.

«

Gazprom is presenting Ukraine with a bill for June gas, of 1.66 bln dollars. They request to be paid in advance.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: "Ãàçïðî âûñòàâèë Óêðàèíå ñ÷åò çà èþíü - 1,66 ìëðä äîëëàðîâ

Hungary has demanded autonomy status for Hungarians in Ukraine, and demanded that they be allowed double citizenship which is illegal under current Ukrainian law.

Ð’ÐµÐ½Ð³Ñ€Ð¸Ñ Ð¾Ñ„Ð¸Ñ†Ð¸Ð°Ð»ÑŒÐ½Ð¾ требует от Украины автономию Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð²ÐµÐ½Ð³Ñ€Ð¾Ð² на Закарпатье

 

[gf0012-aust]

Speaking of Norway, Russia has improved the border defences between Norway and Russia. What is rather ironic IMO is the truck mounted searchlights (3kw xenon) they are using are manufactured in Norway by NorseLight.

They have also beefed up forces around Finland - and they've reactivated 5 pre cold war basesin that Murmansk - Artic arc

 

[Feanor]

They have also beefed up forces around Finland - and they've reactivated 5 pre cold war basesin that Murmansk - Artic arc

There was some massively publicized reopening of bases on the arctic islands. Is that part of what you're referring to?

 

[dprijadi]

some bit of news about russia countering the US sanctions in regards to GPS and Space cooperation. I dont know who is going to lose more in this saction war.. US or Russian space program (regarding ISS and Rocket Engine export), though the GPS ground station banning seems a minor issue for both of them.

ussia is going to suspend the operation of all American GPS sites on its territory, starting from June 1, said Russia’s deputy PM, Dmitry Rogozin, who is in charge of space and defense industries.

"Starting June 1, we will halt the work of those stations on Russian territory,” Rogozin said.

Rogozin pointed out that American GPS ground stations are located in Russia under an agreement that dates back to 1993 and 2001.

“Under this agreement there are 11 GPS stations on the territories of 10 [Russian federal] subjects,” he said.

He stressed that Moscow and Washington have until May 31 to agree on the issue of setting Russian GLONASS stations on US territory.

“We’re starting negotiations which will last for three months. We hope that by the end of summer, these talks will bring a solution that will allow our cooperation to be restored on the basis of parity and proportionality,” Rogozin said.

But if the negotiations turn out to be fruitless, operation of the 11 American GPS stations in Russia will “be permanently terminated” from September 1, he warned.

Dmitry Rogozin also said that Moscow is banning Washington from using Russian-made rocket engines, which the US has used to deliver its military satellites into orbit.

To me , it seems russia's counter is directed to US even though both US and EU apply saction to russia. In my opinion , russia and EU seem willing to work together to resolve conflict , but russia do not see that coming from US state dept.

The almost silence or lack of information from mainstream western media about ukraine is a bit troubling.. I never see such thing happening in western press, it's scary to say the least..

 

[....]

The almost silence or lack of information from mainstream western media about ukraine is a bit troubling.. I never see such thing happening in western press, it's scary to say the least..

They have better things to cover all day like Donald Sterling, Monica Lewinksky and flight 370.

 

[stojo]

The almost silence or lack of information from mainstream western media about ukraine is a bit troubling.. I never see such thing happening in western press, it's scary to say the least..

On the contrary, I think it is quite common. Do you hear anything about Syria these days?

In my view, western mainstream media are interested in a particular conflict, only as long as there is a prospect of military engagement of Western Powers.

 

[gf0012-aust]

There was some massively publicized reopening of bases on the arctic islands. Is that part of what you're referring to?

yes

there has been some significant regional military activity in the north, north west that mainstream media has missed.

its been happening over the last 2 years.

so much so that countries like canada and norway are now revisiting their force posture and development

 

[Feanor]

yes

there has been some significant regional military activity in the north, north west that mainstream media has missed.

its been happening over the last 2 years.

so much so that countries like canada and norway are now revisiting their force posture and development

They're developing a whole new line of arctic military gear, from personal gear to vehicles. So it looks like Russia will be moving into the Arctic over the long term. Makes sense really, given the resources there. If anything isn't it good news? It means that they won't be pushing as hard elsewhere.

Though I don't know about sustainability. They had to use a nuclear ice breaker to get a naval taskforce to those islands. And given how few BDKs Russia has, and how thinly they are stretched out... and they only have so many An-72s with which to fly there...

 

[gf0012-aust]

They're developing a whole new line of arctic military gear, from personal gear to vehicles. So it looks like Russia will be moving into the Arctic over the long term. Makes sense really, given the resources there. If anything isn't it good news? It means that they won't be pushing as hard elsewhere.

Though I don't know about sustainability. They had to use a nuclear ice breaker to get a naval taskforce to those islands. And given how few BDKs Russia has, and how thinly they are stretched out... and they only have so many An-72s with which to fly there...

They're building 3 new icebreakers

 

[Feanor]

They're building 3 new icebreakers

You misunderstand. I know about the new nuclear icebreakers. I'm talking about the BDKs. These ships: Project 775 and 1171 Tapir.

Large landing ships - Project 775
Large landing ships - Project 1171

These vessels are the primary means of naval force projection for Russia in recent years. They are relatively few in number, no replacement class is being built, and as far as I know there isn't even an incremental upgrade planned for the current fleet. Without them getting to these islands becomes problematic. Look at what happened during the Crimean invasion; they had to stop the Syrian Express entirely because all the ships were occupied. Can they maintain an Arctic presence, if these vessels end up being needed elsewhere? When they sailed that expedition to the island to re-open the base, they had to bring two BDKs, in addition to multiple helos, and An-72s.

 

[KiwiRob]

They're building 3 new icebreakers

Russia are building three large conventionals at Vyborg, Project 21900M, Baltic SY has an order for 1 conventional Project 22600, although this looks like it's hull will to be transferred to Nordic Yards in Germany to fit the topsides and complete the vessel, and 1 nuclear ice breaker Project 22220, they only have an order for a single vessel to date, the other two are not confirmed, this was confirmed last week at a tender meeting in St Petersburg, although they are pushing suppliers quoting on the first vessel to keep the same pricing until 2018.

Another ice breaker was recently handed over, Baltika from Arctech in Finland, this is a pretty cool one, she has an asymmetric hull and breaks ice on the diagonal, she's not a large ship but can clear the path of a much larger vessel.

 

[gf0012-aust]

You misunderstand. I know about the new nuclear icebreakers. I'm talking about the BDKs. These ships: Project 775 and 1171 Tapir.

Large landing ships - Project 775
Large landing ships - Project 1171

These vessels are the primary means of naval force projection for Russia in recent years. They are relatively few in number, no replacement class is being built, and as far as I know there isn't even an incremental upgrade planned for the current fleet. Without them getting to these islands becomes problematic. Look at what happened during the Crimean invasion; they had to stop the Syrian Express entirely because all the ships were occupied. Can they maintain an Arctic presence, if these vessels end up being needed elsewhere? When they sailed that expedition to the island to re-open the base, they had to bring two BDKs, in addition to multiple helos, and An-72s.

their expeditionary assets will be the mistrals - thats why they went out and did an external buy - faster and an extant design (plus limited ToT).

Its also why some other countries lost interest in the Mistrals when the french made that sale

 

[Feanor]

Russia are building three large conventionals at Vyborg, Project 21900M, Baltic SY has an order for 1 conventional Project 22600, although this looks like it's hull will to be transferred to Nordic Yards in Germany to fit the topsides and complete the vessel, and 1 nuclear ice breaker Project 22220, they only have an order for a single vessel to date, the other two are not confirmed, this was confirmed last week at a tender meeting in St Petersburg, although they are pushing suppliers quoting on the first vessel to keep the same pricing until 2018.

Another ice breaker was recently handed over, Baltika from Arctech in Finland, this is a pretty cool one, she has an asymmetric hull and breaks ice on the diagonal, she's not a large ship but can clear the path of a much larger vessel.

According to my sources they have contracted the two serial ships as well as the lead ship, recently. So 3 nukes.

prokhor_tebin:

 

[gf0012-aust]

Russia are building three large conventionals at Vyborg, Project 21900M, Baltic SY has an order for 1 conventional Project 22600, although this looks like it's hull will to be transferred to Nordic Yards in Germany to fit the topsides and complete the vessel, and 1 nuclear ice breaker Project 22220, they only have an order for a single vessel to date, the other two are not confirmed, this was confirmed last week at a tender meeting in St Petersburg, although they are pushing suppliers quoting on the first vessel to keep the same pricing until 2018.

Another ice breaker was recently handed over, Baltika from Arctech in Finland, this is a pretty cool one, she has an asymmetric hull and breaks ice on the diagonal, she's not a large ship but can clear the path of a much larger vessel.

I should have qualified my prev with "intent"

They're short on icebreakers - they still send one along for normal task force support (they do double duty as a tow truck) as they've been tagging along as fleet supprt in ice free journeys

 

[Ocean1Curse]

Seen this yet. An article by RT showed up on my news feed showing an attack helicopter with UN markings. Any comments Feanor. http://rt.com/news/158832-un-ukraine-helicopter-scandal/

 

[KiwiRob]

You misunderstand. I know about the new nuclear icebreakers. I'm talking about the BDKs. These ships: Project 775 and 1171 Tapir.

Large landing ships - Project 775
Large landing ships - Project 1171

These vessels are the primary means of naval force projection for Russia in recent years. They are relatively few in number, no replacement class is being built, and as far as I know there isn't even an incremental upgrade planned for the current fleet. Without them getting to these islands becomes problematic. Look at what happened during the Crimean invasion; they had to stop the Syrian Express entirely because all the ships were occupied. Can they maintain an Arctic presence, if these vessels end up being needed elsewhere? When they sailed that expedition to the island to re-open the base, they had to bring two BDKs, in addition to multiple helos, and An-72s.

What about Project 11711 Ivan Gren being built at Yantar, I believe they are intending to build 4 vessels, plus the 2+2 Mistrals. That would give the Navy a core of either 6 or 8 amphibious vessels plus the older ships.

There are also the 3 Project 23120 supply vessels at Severnaya Verf, the first hull is nearly complete.

 

[gf0012-aust]

cross reference from WAB

The Embassy of The State of Israel in Ukraine reports that it is being flooded with requests for entry-visas to Israel. The reasons cited are an increase in vandalism and attacks by neo-Nazi groups, and the fears that eastern Ukraine will be annexed by Russia. The Jewish Agency says that around 1000 have arrived in Israel since January. The Ukrainian Jewish community in Israel is currently ~350,000. Kudos to The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem which has donated the funding for the next 100 emigre's. Although Israel (with a large ethnic Russian population) has attempted to remain neutral in regards to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense has refused to allow Russian warships to dock at either Haifa or Eilat.

The Embassy of The State of Israel in Ukraine reports that it is being flooded with requests for entry-visas to Israel. The reasons cited are an increase in vandalism and attacks by neo-Nazi groups, and the fears that eastern Ukraine will be annexed by Russia. The Jewish Agency says that around 1000 have arrived in Israel since January. The Ukrainian Jewish community in Israel is currently ~350,000.

Kudos to The International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem which has donated the funding for the next 100 emigre's. Although Israel (with a large ethnic Russian population) has attempted to remain neutral in regards to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense has refused to allow Russian warships to dock at either Haifa or Eilat.

 

[Feanor]

their expeditionary assets will be the mistrals - thats why they went out and did an external buy - faster and an extant design (plus limited ToT).

Its also why some other countries lost interest in the Mistrals when the french made that sale

But so far they only have two, and the other two are in big question. Realistically I think Russia needs more not less of them. I think 6 or even 8 ships would be better. With the mass production of the 11356s for the BSF, and the production of the 22350s, Russia should be able to provide escorts for a significant number of them.

The other thing is that you're not going to use Mistrals as cargo haulers. So the mission they filled for the Syrian express, and as supply ships for the Crimean task force are not going to be replaced by the Mistrals. The new transports they're building are a good idea, but only a few are being built so far.

What about Project 11711 Ivan Gren being built at Yantar, I believe they are intending to build 4 vessels, plus the 2+2 Mistrals. That would give the Navy a core of either 6 or 8 amphibious vessels plus the older ships.

There are also the 3 Project 23120 supply vessels at Severnaya Verf, the first hull is nearly complete.

The Ivan Gren has been in limbo for so long, I'm not sure what will happen in the end. Last I heard it's being built as little more then a transport, rather then amphibious assault ship.