Russian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

it's escalated according to Facebook
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shots fired by the Russians which resulted in Ukrainian ships loosing power and Russian SF boarded and captured them (!?);
two wounded on the Ukrainian side

sorry if I lost anything in translation, yes, I'm upset
 

Dizasta1

Senior Member
There are always two sides to a story, so let's read what the "other" side describes the events that took place at Kerch Strait, as they experienced it

Tense standoff around Kerch Strait between Russia & Ukraine: How it developed

26th November 2018

The waters near the Crimean peninsula were the site of an intense standoff between Russian and Ukrainian ships that involved a chase, some firing and fighter jets, followed by strong statements from Moscow and Kiev. Around 07:00 Moscow Time (04:00 GMT) on Sunday two artillery boats and a tugboat belonging to the Ukrainian Navy crossed the Russian maritime border in the Black Sea and headed to the Kerch Strait. Vessels generally pass through the strait after receiving a proper permission and according to a schedule, but these ships had none, according to Russian Federal Security Service responsible for maintaining order at the border. The Russian officers repeatedly asked the Ukrainian vessels to leave Russia's territorial sea and exclusive economic zone, but they ignored those requests. "The vessels are undertaking dangerous maneuvers, and are not obeying lawful instructions from the Russian authorities," FSB said in a statement. The ships also entered waters that had been temporarily closed to navigation.

Around 11:30 Moscow time (08:30 GMT), two more Ukrainian vessels departed an Azov Sea port of Berdyansk and approached the Kerch Strait from the other side.
Soon after that, the Kerch Strait was blocked. A video from the scene showed a giant buck freighter standing under the arch of the Crimea Bridge and blocking the only passage through the strait. The cargo ship was accompanied by several Russian military vessels. General of the Crimean sea ports, Aleksey Volkov, confirmed that the strait was closed "for security reasons." The Russian military apparently also scrambled aircrafts to enhance security at the scene while the situation remained tense. Videos from the scene showed Russian Ka-52 gunships cruising under the Crimea Bridge. Later, they were joined by several Su-25 strike fighters. Ukrainian vessels continued their journey despite warnings from the Russian authorities. The Ukrainian navy said the military vessels were sailing from the port-city of Odessa to the Azov port of Mariupol as part of a scheduled routine transfer, adding that it warned the Russian authorities about the trip in advance.

The FSB denounced the actions of the Ukrainian vessels as "provocation" and expressed concerns that they might provoke a "conflict situation."
The video released by Russian authorities shows the Ukrainian vessels maneuvering in close proximity to the Russian ones. At midnight, the FSB released a statement that Russian warships had to open fire after the three Ukrainian ships ignored "legal demands to stop" and continued "performing dangerous maneuvers." Three Ukrainian sailors were wounded and have been given medical assistance, while the ships were seized. The group of ships that were heading to the strait from the Azov Sea turned back to their port. Kiev uses "bandit methods" to achieve its goals, Russian Foreign Ministry's spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said following the incident near the Kerch Strait. Ukraine "first stages a provocation then plays power games and [eventually] accuses [another side] of aggression," she continued.
Around midnight, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko instructed the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) to convene for an emergency meeting proposing to impose a martial law. The council has moved forward with the motion. The Verkhovna Rada, the Ukrainian Parliament, will vote whether to approve the decision in an extraordinary session on Monday. Poroshenko stated that the martial law will not mean immediate mobilization of troops and said that no offensive operations are being planned.

Russia, in turn, has called for an extraordinary meeting of the UN Security Council, also scheduled for Monday. The agenda consists of a single item,“maintenance of international peace and security.


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Dizasta1

Senior Member
Ukraine to declare Martial Law after sea clash with Russia

25 November 2018

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said that he will propose declaring martial law in the wake of the altercation in the Black Sea that saw Russian military seize Ukrainian vessels for breaching Russian territorial waters. The Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) has supported declaring martial law for 60 days. The motion will now go before the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, for final approval. The Ukrainian leader says Kiev does not plan to carry out any offensive operations if martial law is imposed. Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Poroshenko said that Kiev has asked NATO and the EU to “coordinate our actions to ensure the protection of Ukraine.”

“We appeal to the whole pro-Ukrainian international coalition: we must unite efforts,” Poroshenko said, adding that he would discuss further steps with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday.

Talks with the leaders of Ukraine-allied countries have also been planned for Monday, he said. Poroshenko sought to assure the public that Kiev’s decision to impose martial law will not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of its citizens, noting that Ukraine will only carry out defensive actions to protect its territory and people. He claimed that the imposition of martial law will not affect the standoff in the breakaway Lugansk and Donetsk Republics, that have been in a state of a shaky truce with Kiev.



What martial law means

Martial law allows the Ukrainian government to limit a range of civil freedoms otherwise protected by the constitution, such as the freedom of press, the freedom of movement and the freedom of assembly. Under martial law, Kiev can, for instance, introduce restrictions on travel up to barring residents from leaving the country altogether. The martial law also envisages stricter control at border checkpoints, that may include thorough searches of vehicles, cargo and other belongings. The move also allows for increased control over the media. Publications, TV and radio channels can be shut down if considered to constitute a threat to Ukraine’s national security.
Martial law gives authorities the right to ban peaceful rallies, protests and demonstrations, as well as other mass actions. It also allows to potentially ban activities by political parties and public associations.

In addition, neither the upcoming presidential, nor parliamentary elections can be held with martial law in place. However, since martial law can only last for 60 days unless extended, it is set to expire before the votes, which are scheduled for March and October respectively. The martial law comes some four months ahead of a presidential election in Ukraine, with Poroshenko’s rating hitting rock bottom. According to a recent poll, only 7.8 percent of Ukrainians are ready to cast their ballots for the incumbent Ukrainian leader in the March vote. The race is being topped by former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko with some 18.5 percent of the vote. Poroshenko is even trailing behind a famous Ukrainian comedian, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is in second place with 10,8 percent – despite the fact that he hasn't yet confirmed he was running.

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Dizasta1

Senior Member
So what we know so far is that Ukrainian Navy had three vessels, two "artillery boats" and a tug boat that were sailing from Odessa to Berdyansk in the Azor Sea around 0700hrs (Russian time). The Ukrainian side claims that they had informed the Russian FSB about this "schedule transfer of vessels." As the three vessels approached the Kerch Strait, from the direction of the Black Sea, the Russian Coast Guard on directive from FSB, intercepted the Ukrainian vessels. They were told by the Russian Coast Guard turn back, repeatedly, until one of the vessels (Ukrainian Navy tug boat) was rammed by the Russian Coast Guard ship. Four hours after this incident, two more Ukrainian vessels approached the Kerch Strait, this time from the opposite side. Which is from Azor Sea toward the Black Sea.

In response, the Russian Military got involved and deployed helicopter gunships, as well as fighter jets, around the Kerch Strait. In addition, the Strait was blocked off by the Russians, with freight ships parked at the passage under the Bridge. The Russian Federation has also called in an emergency meeting at the United Nations Security Council, to raise the incident at the highest level. Labeling it as a grave "conflict" incident.
 

Dizasta1

Senior Member
Admiral Kasatanov frigate being readied for Sea Trials

ST. PETERSBURG, November 20. /TASS/. The cutting-edge frigate Admiral Kasatonov under construction for the Russian Navy at the St. Petersburg-based Severnaya Verf Shipyard will enter sea trials in early December 2018, the Shipyard’s press office reported on Tuesday.

"The Project 22350 first serial-produced frigate Fleet Admiral Kasatonov is preparing for the first stage of shipbuilders’ sea trials in early December. Now the Shipyard’s delivery team and the crew are making final preparations for the ship’s first departure for sea," the press office said in a statement.

During three weeks, the shipbuilders will check all the frigate’s systems: the propulsion unit (including the operation of the main engines in various modes) and electric equipment, navigation, communications, rescue, survivability, ventilation and air conditioning systems, its speed, maneuverability and stability for their compliance with the Project’s requirements. The program of trials also envisages artillery and missile fire.

The warship may enter state trials already next summer, the press office said.

"Thanks to the fact that the Project’s flagship, the frigate Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov has passed the fullest and the detailed program of trials, we plan to pass the program of shipbuilders’ sea trials with the first serial-produced Kasatonov much quicker. I believe that three weeks after its departure for sea, it will already return to the Shipyard from the first stage of shipbuilders’ sea trials. We are now working closely with the Severnoye Design Bureau, the project’s developer, to verify all the elements of the program of trials and we will take all the efforts to ensure that the ship leaves for state trials in summer," the press office quoted Shipyard CEO Igor Ponomaryov as saying.

The frigate Fleet Admiral Kasatonov is the second (the first serial-produced) Project 22350 warship. The Project was developed by the Severnoye Design Bureau. The lead warship of this series, the Admiral Gorshkov, was delivered to the Navy in the summer of 2018 and the construction of two more frigates (the Admiral Golovko and the Admiral Isakov) continues at the slipways of the Severnaya Verf Shipyard in St. Petersburg.

Project 22350 frigates are expected to become the Russian Navy’s most advanced warships in their class. These frigates displace 4,500 tonnes and can develop a speed of 29 knots. They are armed with Oniks and Kalibr missiles and the Poliment-Redut air defense missile system.

tass.com/defense/1031697
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Azov Sea is a strategic choke point, which US/NATO are desperately trying to get access to. Hence the reason why the Ukrainian Govt
Nice spin there but you are forgetting the local politics.
Ukraine was and had access by the Crimea. With the annexation they lost that.
Or as you yourself point out

So no, Azov Sea doesn't belong to Russia

The problem with this logic is we see the same thing happening all over the world when ever there is a territorial dispute and NATO doesn't have to be egging any one on for that.
Ukraine would've have been better off having cordial relations with Russia and would have flourished in both trade and militarily strengthened itself,
The problem with that is it doesn't reflect the politics on the ground.
The Ukrainians politics. Ukraineis a classic case of lines drawn on a map as opposed to actually reflecting what was on the ground.
The claim you make fails here has you have the western portion of Ukraine having ethnic and cultural heritage closer to Poland and Germany well the eastern part of Ukraine having ethnic and cultural heritage closer to Russia.
This was the major driver of the conflicts where in the Post Soviet era most of the Russian trade fell along that divide as well with Russia employing and supporting the eastern part of Ukraine well systematically cutting off it's ties to the western part. This combined with leadership issues I.E. the system of the Ukranian government where Kiev appoints regional governors with little regards to local affaires and you generate discontent.
The continuous issues of corruption and stunted economic development as the industry of the western part tried to sell its wears but found few buyers. That's also text book.
So then came the economic aide offers. The A package deal from the EU And a package deal from Russia both with language that upon signing they had to be considered exclusive. To be signed by a President who was elected on a eastern majority.
This was the straw as they say.

The western populations have a strong EU And NATO slant the eastern a strong Russian.
Russia doesn't want NATO on its boarders it wants buffer States.
The western population prefers the EU and sees Russia as the threat.
So you end up with a divided nation.
The Russians see the situation in the ground and know that the western part tried to politically push them out of there Crimean bases. A critical asset to the Russian Navy with limited warm water ports as is so they re-annex the Crimea.
No national leadership can back down from that with out some resistance. Unless they are forced to as part of a humiliating defeat.
 

anzha

Captain
Registered Member
Nice spin there but you are forgetting the local politics.
Ukraine was and had access by the Crimea. With the annexation they lost that.

It should be pointed out that the Budapest Memorandum, which Russia was a signatory, guaranteed Ukraine's borders of 1994 in exchange for Ukraine relinquishing its nuclear arsenal. It inherited a massive number of nuclear weapons from the Soviet Union and, at the time, had the third largest in the world. The Russians, Brits and Americans stated Ukraine's borders, inclusive of Crimea, were recognized and to be protected.

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As for the Ukrainian Left Bank, the situation is far more complicated than the media sources like to make it. If it were merely linguistics and culture, then Odessa, Mauripol and Kharkov ought to have followed Donetsk, Gorlovka and Lugansk. They did not.
 

TerraN_EmpirE

Tyrant King
Hmm. It's not the only driver but those points you mention have other economic activity. Or an exceptionally strong Ukranian security presence in Alliance with the regional leaders who are anything but Democratic.
Two are major ports, in fact both are involved in this recent action as the home port of the seized Ukranian ships was Odessa and there destination was Moriopl.
The issue for the Azov sea in this case is that Crimea is a perfect choke point. The Problem for Ukraine is it needs those ports for its economic standing.
Those are critical infrastructure for Ukraine.
The Russians built a bridge across the critical straight that apparently is easily capped by moving a large freighter across.
Which is activity it has predicted for months.
 
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