Crisis in the Ukraine

There were stories about Lugansk PR militia capturing a SU-25 nearly a month ago, when they overran an Airfield in their territory.

There was a lot of fanfare about them acquiring an airforce at the time and about them being soon able to take the fight to the enemy etc.
In reality it went very quiet very quickly and there were no verified accounts of the plane being used in action.

It does rather suggest that a lot of the "high end" equipment that the militia captured from the bases, were only left behind because they were none operable or at best of only limited working ability. It's not a surprise as it is no secret that the Ukrainian military has been in a poor condition for many years and having to rely on cannibalism (that's taking parts from other similar weapons - not starving conscripts eating each other) to keep even a minimal force capable of taking the field.

I have always rather suspected that the SU25 and indeed S11 captured by the militia will have been equipment of this catagory.

As said before the Su25 is a ground attacker, fairly rugged. It might be a possibility. The Pro Russian militia would have needed time to find maintenance personal, equipment even parts from other Su25s to repair a serviceable air frame. Then get a pilot who can do the job. Assuming only one bird a month might be a possibility.

Another thought. SU25 can't designate its own ground targets it has to have a wingman in the ground attack role lazing for precision weapons. Generally a air force is not going to allow a single ship formation when using them.
I may be digressing and bring back up the Russian report of the Su25 in climb with the MA17 but if the Ukraine Army suspected that there was a Su25 in service to the pro Russian factions then they might have sent out a Buk to hunt it. When the pilot got a missile warning he might have stripped his bird and climbed Ma17 being in the air the missile intend for the Frogfoot could have homed in on the 777.
its total conjecture and I am not saying I believe it or the Russian report. But I am more likely to believe a single ship formation for the militias then the UkAF. And if the militias are operating even a single aircraft then the Ukrainian government would have to kill it as priority.

Yes, I did get a sense from yesterdays impact site, video that the militia men were looking for salvageable parts and some parts in particular.

If so, it is one hell of a way to run a railroad.

Thanks also to everybody who helped with my question about the tank last night.
Looks like a T64 it is.

Look how British journalist pinpointed actual launch site of the rebel's Buk.
Only to prove that they tried to hit another plane.
If there was a Buk that hit the Boeing - it was a Ukrainian Buk.
Amazing.

Most say a single Su-25 was following MH17, but the Spanish air traffic controller talked about two Sukhoi's following the aircraft.

I am sorry Nicky It doesn't prove anything. All it shows is the Telegraph is working overtime and has it's people chasing leads on the ground. the Scorch mark spotted could have been form any number of military activities Including a SAM launch. and As the report indicates the position in question was Rebel occupied.

I see on the website of my favorite broadcaster but not yet on the BBC site that the government in Kiev has disintegrated. Proposed laws and money matters are the cause of the trouble. That surely cannot amaze us.

texx1 said:

If we are to be honest, this is the third major proxy conflict between Russia and US after Vietnam and Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. The current score is 1:1. For non-aligned parties, please bring popcorn.

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Georgia?

plawolf said:

Georgia?

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You are right as always. But I think Georgian conflict is not as crucial in a strategic sense as Ukraine since one is closer to Russian heartland.

Ukrainian Coalition Government just collapsed and Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has resigned.

Ukraine crisis: PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk resigns amid government collapse

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has announced his resignation following turmoil in government. Yatsenyuk made the announcement from the dais of the parliament after two parties said they would pull out of the governing coalition.

"I am announcing my resignation [in connection] with the collapse of the coalition," Yatsenyuk said.

He said the parliament could no longer do its work and pass necessary laws.

The nationalist Svoboda party and the Udar party led by former boxer Vitali Klitschko pulled out of the group of legislators that took over after former President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted by protesters seeking closer ties with the European Union.

Parliament speaker Oleksandr Turchynov said it was up to Udar and Svoboda to propose a candidate for temporary prime minister to lead the government until early parliamentary elections can be held.

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Meanwhile Ukrainian bonds are falling fast