(I'm not implying this is the start of something between Russia and NATO, but civil war may be about to break out in Ukraine.)
http://www.smh.com.au/world/russia-sink ... hvghs.htmlRussia sinks ship to block Urkrainian naval vessels from entering Black Sea
"The Russian navy sank one of its own, junked vessels to create an obstacle, a Ukrainian official said on Wednesday.
Ukraine Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Alexei Mazepa said Russian sailors pulled the anti-submarine vessel Ochakov out of a naval junkyard and sank it in the straits that connect the Black Sea with a body of water known as Donuzlav Lake. He said the act was intended to prevent Ukrainian navy ships from leaving a nearby base and going to sea..."
..."The sinking was the latest in a series of moves by Russian naval forces in the area that were jangling the nerves of Ukrainian officers.
Earlier in the week, the commander of the Russian Black Sea fleet, Admiral Alexander Vitko, visited Ukraine’s South Base, according to the deputy base commander, Captain Viktor Shmiganovsky.
“He asked me to invite all the officers and suggested that we collectively take up the Russian military allegiance oath and become part of the Black Sea fleet … promising good pay and a bright future,” Shmiganovsky said in an interview. “He insisted we do that to help protect Ukraine from extremist gangs.”
The officer said his boss, the base commander, retorted: “Comrade admiral, we didn't see any extremist gangs here until you came with your men.” He said the admiral left “in a rage.”
On Wednesday, the mouth of the bay was blocked by 10 Russian vessels including the formidable guided missile cruiser Moskva..."
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/russia-sink ... z2vE3ioXEu
The base commander's line was quite funny- though it may cost them dearly soon.
Another article in the Moscow Times:
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/a ... 95740.html
