Recent events in the Ukraine.

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:00:54 -0500

What are your thoughts on the recent events in the Ukraine? Is this the birth of a second Cold War?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 11:06 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:06:19 -0500

I dont think we will go to war with them but I think President Obama is mad that Putin isnt doing anything asked. Russia thinks we are a joke!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 11:21 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:21:22 -0500

I don't believe the Cold War truly ended.  The breakup of the USSR and the decline of Russia was a temporary setback, in my opinion.  They lacked strong leadership, Putin has this in spades.  Russia has been growing in strength for years and has demonstrated their lack of concern of our saber rattling in Georgia and now the Ukraine.  As bad as this may sound I actually think this is a good thing.  A strong Russia gives the Chinese something to think about and also helps in combating terrorism.  Time and time again Russia has demonstrated they have no issue with taking the gloves off (not that they were ever on) in dealing with terrorism.     

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 11:38 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:38:34 -0500

Yes, sergeant, I think it might be. The Russian Federation's invasion of the Ukraine is a direct attack on democracy and the process through which the Ukrainians elected their new government. Since PM Yatseniuk considers it a declaration of war and has asked for our help, we're in the spotlight.

We should use our influence to cut off all support and trade with the Russian Federation. There isn't much more we can do to help, considering our nation's financial state. We can't/shouldn't send troops to the Ukraine; we need to focus on recovering our troops and taking care of the homefront.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 2 at 2014 11:47 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 11:47:49 -0500

I think that the events in the Ukraine and Georgia are President Putin slowly assimilating and reestablishing of the USSR. This can be both a Good and Bad thing, in my opinion.

We will have to watch and see what the outcome is.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2014 8:43 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 08:43:37 -0500

The first question is whether or not it is in the National Interest of the US. We are not the world's police force. The only way we would be used as a police force is if was at the behest of the UN. The second option is whether or not the rightful government asks us for support. The third factor is whether or not the Russian government will take any action on the side of the rebels that would end up with us fighting the Russians. Diplomacy is the best course of action right now.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 4 at 2014 10:50 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 10:50:19 -0500

My only thought is " well, at least it's not another desert!".

Response by Sgt Eben Osgood made Mar 4 at 2014 11:28 AM

Sgt Eben Osgood — Tue, 04 Mar 2014 11:28:31 -0500

The US/EU has already aided in the destabilization of the country by supporting the pro-EU factions and their violence. We cannot afford to be the world's police force, although we have stubbornly pursued that role for over 100 years, and it has served as a detriment towards our economy. <br><br>We scold Russia's attempts to secure the Crimea region to protect its compatriots while we have used the same excuse in other countries. Leave it alone and save our money, and our troops. We already have a back-log of veterans that are not receiving the services they need through the VA, to get involved in another conflict would only add to this problem. <br>

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 17 at 2014 5:53 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 05:53:17 -0400

No one want war not even Russia

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Mar 17 at 2014 6:03 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 06:03:51 -0400

Given our attention span as a people, it will fade from public memory when some random celebrity gets a parking ticket, or something of note happens in a sport...

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jun 3 at 2014 11:40 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 23:40:02 -0400

It is difficult to say. It sort of resembles the old cloak and dagger game that was played during the Cold War.

I have not followed this real close, perhaps I should. From what I have seen, I think he is testing the US and the rest of the world to see how far they can be pushed. Just an uneducated opinion.

Response by COL Ted Mc made Feb 6 at 2015 12:59 PM

COL Ted Mc — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 12:59:05 -0500

Just a bit of an update

From "IHS Janes 360"

http://www.janes.com/article/48685/russian-tos-1-and-pantsyr-s1-systems-reported-in-east-ukraine?utm_campaign=[PMP]_PC5308_J360%206.2.15_KV_Deployment&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

Russian TOS-1 and Pantsyr-S1 systems reported in east Ukraine

Anti-Kiev forces are deploying TOS-1 220 mm thermobaric multiple rocket launchers and possibly Pantsyr-S1 air-defence systems in the continuing conflict in east Ukraine, reports indicate.

In a statement on 4 February the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed its forces had destroyed a TOS-1 system during fighting on 3 February. This followed a claim on 14 January by the MoD that its forces had encountered the type for the first time during fighting on 13 January.

Unconfirmed media reports had previously suggested TOS-1s were being used in the assault on Donetsk airport, although the Ukrainian MoD made no such claim at the time. The TOS-1 is not known to have been pictured in east Ukraine, making the statements by the MoD hard to verify - although the Ukrainian MoD has been a broadly reliable source in the past.

However, pictures have emerged of a 96K6 Pantsyr-S1 (SA-22 'Greyhound') self-propelled anti-aircraft gun and missile (SPAAGM) system that is claimed to be operating in east Ukraine. The images are supposed to have been taken in late January in the vicinity of the towns of Shakhtarsk and Makiivka, just east of Donetsk, although this cannot be independently verified by IHS Jane's .

The TOS-1 is often referred to by Russia as a heavy ...

[EDITORIAL COMMENT:- Hmmmm?!? Keep the opposition air power away and level the opposition's defensive positions. I wonder if that indicates any possibility of an attack.]

Russian TOS-1 and Pantsyr-S1 systems reported in east Ukraine - IHS Jane's 360

Anti-Kiev forces are deploying TOS-1 220 mm thermobaric multiple rocket launchers and possibly Pantsyr-S1 air-defence systems in the continuing conflict in east Ukraine, reports indicate. In a statement on 4 February the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence (MoD) claimed its forces had destroyed a TOS-1