Russian Ships Carrying Soldiers Said To Be En Route To Sevastopol
Those tracking the developments in the Ukraine, and specifically the Russian response to this weekend's coup, will be interested to note that according to the Russian flot.com website, the large landing ship Nikolai Filchenkov, previously known for itsparticipation in the Syrian naval arms build up, is expected to arrive in the Crimean port of Sevastopol carrying 200 armed soldiers, sent from the nearby Black Sea town of Temryuk.
From Flot.com
Today at 12:00 from the Russian port of Temryuk should arrive in Sevastopol, the large landing ship "Nikolai Fil'chenkov" with 200 soldiers on board. This was reported today by the chairman of the Ukraine "Freedom" faction Oleg Tyagnibok citing sources in the Crimean."I can show you the text message" - said Tyahnibok and read: "Today at 12:00 is expected the arrival from the port of Temryuk in the Russian Federation in the city of Sevastopol large landing ship Nikolai Fil'chenkov from the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation. It will bring about 200 armed soldiers from the 328th Marine battalion, who are based in Temryuk and 10 BTR-80."He also noted that "on February 22-23, ... IL-76 flights airlifted from Kubinka (Moscow region) to Anapa, personnel from the 45th Airborne Special Forces unit and additional divisions were relocated via four Il-76 flights from Pskov to Anapa. And from Sochi to Anapa were transported six Mi-8 helicopsters"- said Tyahnibok.
This appears to not be an isolated move as the naval build up seems to be escalating. In a concurrent release, Izvestia Kiev reported that out of Kubinka, four ships carrying special forces, are being relocated to Anapa. From there, in four hours, they will depart fo Sevastopol at a speed of 10-15 knots, citing "Izvestia in Ukraine" as a source. According to the source, the redeployment is "qualitative, not quantitative" and that the Ukraine is following these developments.
It remains to be seen if the Ukraine, or its brand new NATO BFFs, will respond in kind.
Russia Fires First Retaliatory Salvo, May Limit Ukraine Food Imports
Russia represents over 25% of Ukraine's exports and is the divided nation's largest trade partner. As Ukraine remains deep in its self-described "pre-default" state, the economy languishes vainly in the hopes of a trade deal with 'someone' and a bailout from 'someone' else. However, the IMF's first move to bail the nation out has now been met by a subtle punch to the country's kidneys as Interfax reports thatRussia threatens to limit food imports on the basis of "veterinary and phytosanitary risks."
Russia and the Customs Union could temporarily limit increased-risk food imports from Ukraine, given fears of loose safety control, said Sergei Dankvert, head of the Russian veterinary and phytosanitary oversight service Rosselkhoznadzor."My Belarusian colleague and I are extremely concerned about the situation in Ukraine. We do not rule out that curbs could be introduced on the imports of products of high veterinary and phytosanitary risks from Ukraine," Dankvert told Interfax after talks with his Belarusian counterpart Yury Pivovarchik in Bryansk, and telephone talks with Ukraine's Deputy Agrarian Policy Minister Ivan Bisyuk.Restrictions could also be imposed on transit shipments, he said.The conditions in which Ukrainian experts are working arouse queries and doubts that their work is being done properly, especially amid reports of African swine fever infections, he said.Cooperation between veterinary and phytosanitary experts is largely based on trust, Dankvert said. If the conditions in which the Ukrainian service is working do not improve, moreover, if its leadership is replaced, the business contacts, built over the past few years, may be affected," he said. "They were not always cloudless, but our Ukrainian colleagues were trying to work for expanding trade between our counties," he said.
It might seem like an odd reason to suddenly do this but of course the timing is perfect - especially as the anti-Russian provinces tend to be the most agricultural and farming based - as opposed to the eastern (more industrial) regions that are wealthier and more pro-Russia.
But as a reminder, a great deal of the nation's wealth resides in non-pro-Europe eastern Ukraine...
Did IMF Just Win The War Of Ukraine Debt Annexation?
The Russians had dangled their multi-billion euro carrot - then swiftly removed it pending further details of who is really running the show (demanding a crackdown on the extremists who are trying to establish power).
The Europeans have promised an even bigger carrot - predicated on, we presume, total abdication of sovereignty.
But now the Americans are jumping in - Treasury Secretary Jack Lew "urged" Ukraine's interim leader Yatsenyuk to start talks with the IMF as he and Lagarde agreed the fund would be the best foundation for advice and financing (if sought by a fully established Ukrainian government).
Just this morning, Ukraine explained it needed $35 billion over the next 2 years...
The Russians have made it clear they are not amused... (via Interfax)
Moscow on Monday urged the Ukrainians to bring back the situation in their country into "the legal framework" and "crack down on the extremists who are trying to get established in power.""We earnestly call upon all those who are involved in the crisis in Ukraine to show the maximum sense of responsibility, to take action to prevent the further degradation of the situation, to bring it back into the legal framework, and to crack down on the extremists who are trying to get established in power," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its website, www.mid.ru.The ministry expressed "extreme anxiety" over current developments in Ukraine."In the last few days, the capital and some other cities in the country have been sites of armed clashes between young rioters and militants from ultra-right nationalist organizations and law enforcement units that were defending the security of civilians and national interests," it said."The militants have not been disarmed, refuse to leave the streets of the cities that they de facto control and to vacate administrative buildings, and continue acts of violence," the ministry said."The agreement of February 21 on the settlement of the crisis in Ukraine is not being complied with, though its signature was authenticated by the ministers of foreign affairs of Germany, Poland and France whereas the United States and the European Union, and other international structures have welcomed this document," the statement said.
The Europeans, we presume, are hiding behind the IMF/US
Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew told Ukrainian leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk that Ukraine has support for an international aid package centered on the International Monetary Fund and urged him to seek assistance, a Treasury official said.Lew and IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde agreed that the fund would be the best foundation for advice and financing if sought by a fully established Ukrainian government, the official said in an e-mailed statement.Lew and Lagarde spoke on the way back to Washington from a meeting of the Group of 20 nations in Sydney.
and to apply a little more pressure:
- *S&P DOWNGRADES THREE UKRAINIAN BANKS TO 'CCC'; OUTLOOKS NEG
But it seems we have an answer... (from the newly-installed Ukraine central bank chief)
- *UKRAINE'S KUBIV PLANS TO INVITE IMF MISSION, UNIAN SAYS
Which means only one thing: Russia's locked out and gas prices are about to skyrocket...
And of course, now the US realizes it might have Russia on the ropes...
- MCCAIN, SENIOR U.S. REPUBLICAN SENATOR, SAYS U.S. MUST BE READY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE TO UKRAINE
“I am proud and overjoyed for the people of Ukraine. Their struggle for democracy, justice, and a European future is far from over, and it has come at a heavy price. But thanks to the sacrifice of many Ukrainian patriots, there is now new hope for Ukraine again.
“During this challenging time, the Ukrainian people have been fortunate to have dedicated friends. I commend the tireless efforts of U.S. Ambassador Geoff Pyatt and Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland. From Brussels to Berlin, Paris to Warsaw, Vilnius to Budapest, European leaders have also played an important role. I have spoken in recent days to Vitali Klitschko, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, all of whom were grateful for the international support that Ukraine has received.
“Now more than ever, the Ukrainian people need the continued support of their friends. The country is on the brink of economic crisis, and a host of difficult challenges awaits the new government and the Rada. Urgent reforms are needed to address many of the country’s unsustainable monetary, fiscal, and energy policies. Additional actions are needed to crack down on corruption, bolster the rule of law, deepen democratic institutions, and prepare for early elections. The path of reform will be difficult, but if the new Ukrainian government is prepared to make these tough – and, at times, unpopular – decisions, it will need significant assistance from the IMF and the European Union. The United States must be ready to provide additional assistance as well.
“The Ukrainian people will also need the unwavering support of their friends on behalf of their country’s sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity. It is deeply concerning that some in Ukraine and Russia seem to be calling these principles into question. None of us should forget that Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly questioned whether Ukraine is an independent country and whether Crimea is Ukrainian territory. Recent media reports, based on newly uncovered documents, allege that Russian intelligence officials were advising Ukrainian security forces in planning violent crackdowns. Ukraine’s future is for the Ukrainian people to determine, and the free world must send the unequivocal message that Ukrainian territory is inviolable and indivisible.
“While the road ahead is fraught with many challenges and dangers, the Ukrainian people have created a new opportunity to pursue their dream of a democratic, prosperous, and European future. The United States and all of Ukraine’s friends must stand with them.”
Russia Awakes: Accuses Ukraine's New Government Of "Armed Mutiny", Says It Poses "Real Threat To Our Interests, Citizens"
The Olympics are now over, which means that Russia can finally start taking steps toward making good on its warning from last week, spoken by a senior government official to the FT, that "If Ukraine breaks apart, it will trigger a war," adding that "they will lose Crimea first [because] we will go in and protect [it], just as we did in Georgia." And while there have been photos (so far unconfirmed) of Russian military vehicles heading into the Ukraine, for the time being Russia has kept a surprisingly low profile. Until now.
- MEDVEDEV SAYS RUSSIANS IN UKRAINE FACE THREAT IN UKRAINE: RIA
- MEDVEDEV SAYS RUSSIAN INTERESTS UNDER THREAT IN UKRAINE: RIA
- MEDVEDEV QUESTIONS LEGITIMACY OF UKRAINE'S INSTITUTIONS: IFX
- MEDVEDEV HAS NO INFORMATION IF AZAROV IS IN RUSSIA: RIA
Reuters adds:
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Monday said Russia had grave doubts about the legitimacy of those in power in Ukraine following President Viktor Yanukovich's ouster, saying their recognition by some states was an "aberration"."We do not understand what is going on there. There is a real threat to our interests and to the lives of our citizens,"Medvedev was quoted by Russian news agencies as saying."There are big doubts about the legitimacy of a whole series of organs of power that are now functioning there."
Finally, from the AP:
Dmitry Medvedev said Monday, according to Russian news agencies, that the new authorities have come to power as a result of "armed mutiny," so their legitimacy is causing "big doubts."
All this is happening as (insolvent) Europe is scrambling to obtain the tens of billions it needs to make good on a topping overbid for the Ukraine, something which Russia appears to be largely laughing about, and certainly something which Gazprom, which incidentally holds the fate of all of Europe, and not just Ukraine, in its hands. Literally.
As we have said since the Ukraine coup became official: keep an eye on the Russian response. Right now it is all that matters.
Ukraine turmoil LIVE UPDATES
Political instability settled over Ukraine as the opposition-controlled parliament voted to appoint its newly-elected speaker as acting president, with eastern and southern Ukraine saying they no longer see parliament as legitimate.
Monday, February 24
12:52 GMT:
The nationalist Svoboda party has submitted a lustration law to the Rada that would see Yanukovich-era officials barred from holding public office.
Vitaly Klitschko’s UDAR previous touted the initiative, saying it must particularly apply to the interior forces.
“No crime [committed during the standoff between protesters and government forces] must go unpunished,” said Klitschko.
12:50 GMT:
Moscow wants to see somebody in Kiev who would have the authority and power to implement whatever agreements the countries may negotiate, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said.
“Frankly, the legitimacy of many governmental bodies is in doubt there,” Medvedev said. “Treating masked men armed with Kalashnikov rifles, who are now circling Kiev, as a government – we would find it difficult working with such a government.”
He added that Russia is willing to fulfill all its obligations under agreements signed with Ukraine, but is concerned that its interests may be under threat. A sign of this unease is the recall of Russian ambassador to Ukraine back to Moscow for consultations.
“This move means that we do not understand what is happening in that country and that there is a threat to our interests, the lives and well-being of our citizens,” he explained.
Medvedev reminded that Russia's December agreement with then-President Yanukovich on a discount to the price of Russian natural gas sold to Ukraine has a deadline.
“What happens after that deadline is a subject for further discussion with the leadership of Ukrainian companies and Ukrainian government, if one exists by that time,” he said.
11:44 GMT:
The new Ukraine authorities have now been recognized by the EU, the US and the United Nations, said the acting president and acting PM, Aleksandr Turchinov, at the parliamentary meeting of the Ukrainian parliament (Verkhovna Rada).
11:06 GMT:
The Ukrainian parliament is considering forming an investigative commission, which would be tasked with looking into the alleged crimes of Viktor Yanukovich in his capacity as president. Vitaly Klichko, the leader of the Udar party, believes that the commission should include foreign specialists, he told heads of parliamentary factions and committees.
10:09 GMT:
The Ukrainian state treasury is empty and the country is nearly bankrupt, said Arseny Yatsenyuk, leader of the Batkivshchina (Fatherland) Party during the parliamentary session.
‘We have to ask financial help from the International Monetary Fund,” added Yatsenyuk, commenting that Ukraine has never seen a financial catastrophe on this scale in its history.
09:59 GMT:
The Party of Regions' faction in the parliament is now in opposition to the current authorities of Ukraine, the party’s leader in the Rada, Aleksandr Yefremov, announced.
“Considering the fact that you took over the party and, as we see, you have the capabilities to form a government and rebuild governance, we decided to be in the opposition,” he told heads of other parties and committees.
Viktor Yanukovich's once-majority Party of Regions has suffered a mass exodus of MPs in the past few days. At least 77 parliamentarians have announced their resignation from the party ranks, thinning them down to some 130 MPs.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Communist Party, an ally of the Party of the Regions in the Rada, announced it is now part of the opposition.
09:38 GMT:
The number of injured in Kiev clashes has risen to 675, of whom 447 people have been taken to hospitals, reports Ukraine’s Ministry of Health.
Thirty-one people sought medical help in the past 24 hours, and 24 of them were taken to hospitals, adds the ministry.
The number of dead - 82 people – remained unchanged.
08:48 GMT:
Ukraine estimates that it needs $35 billion in aid to stabilize its economy, acting Finance Minister Yury Kolobkov said.
The immense figure is exactly the sum of the $15 billion, which Russia pledged to lend in November, when the political crisis was it its first weeks, and the $20 billion, which the EU may lend to a new Ukrainian government, according to Elmar Brok, Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Both Russia and the EU say they want to see a stable government in Ukraine, before any money will actually be transferred. The EU also demands financial reforms in Ukraine as a condition for aid.
08:30 GMT:
An arrest warrant for Ukraine’s ex-President Viktor Yanukovich has been issued, said the country’s acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov.
“We have initiated criminal proceedings concerning the massacre of peaceful civilians. Yanukovich along with other officials has been put on the wanted list,” added Avakov.
05:24 GMT:
All in all, the governors of nine Ukrainian regions have resigned, according to regional state administration websites.
Among them are the governors form western Ukrainian regions of Lvov, Volyn, Ivano-Frankovsk and Zhitomir. Also the governments resigned in the southern region of Nikolaev, and central regions of Kirovograd, Poltava, Ternopol and Vinnitsa.
“Complex political situation in the country” was named as the motive of resignation in almost all the cases.
Good advice, wrong address: Russia responds to Susan Rice ‘no tanks to Ukraine’ warning
Russia sees merit in the advice against use of force in Ukraine which US National Security Adviser Susan Rice voiced, but believes it was wrongly directed towards Moscow. Washington would be a more appropriate recipient of the piece of wisdom.
“We have noted the expert assessment of Susan Rice based on multiple cases when American troops were sent to various places of the word, especially those where the US administration believed the norms of Western democracy were in danger, or where the local regimes were getting out of hand,” a Russian Foreign Ministry source told news agencies on Monday.
The source added that, “We expect that national security adviser would be giving to the US leadership the same advice on the mistaken path of the use of force if it decides to conduct a new intervention.”
The veiled reproach comes after a Sunday interview, in which Susan Rice said bluntly that sending troops to restore Yanukovich’s leadership in Kiev "would be a grave mistake" on the part of Russia.
Rice did not elaborate on why she believed Moscow would even consider using military force to help Yanukovich. During the three months of confrontation in Ukraine, Western officials flocked to the country in support of the opposition crowd. Russia, meanwhile, distanced itself from the situation and only criticized the West for what Moscow considered blatant meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs.
Following the ouster of President Yanukovich, Moscow has not changed its stance nor voiced any support for him. It only criticized the opposition for not keeping its word and breaking a West-sponsored reconciliation agreement, which it signed with Yanukovich.
Moscow wants to see somebody in Kiev who would have the authority and power to implement whatever agreements the countries may negotiate, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev stressed on Monday.
“Frankly, the legitimacy of many governmental bodies is in doubt there,” he said. “Treating masked men armed with Kalashnikov rifles, who are now circling Kiev, as a government – we would find it difficult working with such a government.”
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the establishment of new Russia, it has fought just one war with a foreign power. In 2008, Russian tanks were sent to Georgia, after the latter tried to use military force to seize control over its breakaway region of South Ossetia. Russia justified its actions by the death of Russian peacekeepers who were stationed in Georgia under a UN mandate with the brief not to allow military action between Georgians and Ossetians, and who were killed by the advancing Georgian troops.
Russia also used its military in its own territory in the Republic of Chechnya, which went from a nationalist uprising to forming a de facto independent government to transforming into a hotbed of banditry and terrorism, spilling violence into neighboring Russian regions. Moscow eventually took Chechnya back under its control through alliances with some local militant factions and by offering generous rebuilding funding in exchange for assurances of security and loyalty.
In 1991, when the USSR ceased to exist, the US conducted a war against Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Since then America has fought four major wars against foreign nations, including the bombing campaign in Yugoslavia, the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq (for the second time), and the bombing campaign in Libya. It stopped short of starting a fifth war against Syria in 2013, a move which was prevented in large part by the mediation of Russia, which convinced the Syrian government to relinquish its chemical weapons.
Washington justifies its interventions on humanitarian reasons and the obligation to depose repressive governments. Such obligations however, do not seem to apply to countries which have a poor human rights record, like Saudi Arabia, but remain American allies.
Yanukovich wanted over mass killings in Ukraine, whereabouts unknown
Good advice, wrong address: Russia responds to Susan Rice ‘no tanks to Ukraine’ warning
Russia sees merit in the advice against use of force in Ukraine which US National Security Adviser Susan Rice voiced, but believes it was wrongly directed towards Moscow. Washington would be a more appropriate recipient of the piece of wisdom.
“We have noted the expert assessment of Susan Rice based on multiple cases when American troops were sent to various places of the word, especially those where the US administration believed the norms of Western democracy were in danger, or where the local regimes were getting out of hand,” a Russian Foreign Ministry source told news agencies on Monday.
The source added that, “We expect that national security adviser would be giving to the US leadership the same advice on the mistaken path of the use of force if it decides to conduct a new intervention.”
The veiled reproach comes after a Sunday interview, in which Susan Rice said bluntly that sending troops to restore Yanukovich’s leadership in Kiev "would be a grave mistake" on the part of Russia.
Rice did not elaborate on why she believed Moscow would even consider using military force to help Yanukovich. During the three months of confrontation in Ukraine, Western officials flocked to the country in support of the opposition crowd. Russia, meanwhile, distanced itself from the situation and only criticized the West for what Moscow considered blatant meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs.
Following the ouster of President Yanukovich, Moscow has not changed its stance nor voiced any support for him. It only criticized the opposition for not keeping its word and breaking a West-sponsored reconciliation agreement, which it signed with Yanukovich.
Moscow wants to see somebody in Kiev who would have the authority and power to implement whatever agreements the countries may negotiate, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev stressed on Monday.
“Frankly, the legitimacy of many governmental bodies is in doubt there,” he said. “Treating masked men armed with Kalashnikov rifles, who are now circling Kiev, as a government – we would find it difficult working with such a government.”
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union and the establishment of new Russia, it has fought just one war with a foreign power. In 2008, Russian tanks were sent to Georgia, after the latter tried to use military force to seize control over its breakaway region of South Ossetia. Russia justified its actions by the death of Russian peacekeepers who were stationed in Georgia under a UN mandate with the brief not to allow military action between Georgians and Ossetians, and who were killed by the advancing Georgian troops.
Russia also used its military in its own territory in the Republic of Chechnya, which went from a nationalist uprising to forming a de facto independent government to transforming into a hotbed of banditry and terrorism, spilling violence into neighboring Russian regions. Moscow eventually took Chechnya back under its control through alliances with some local militant factions and by offering generous rebuilding funding in exchange for assurances of security and loyalty.
In 1991, when the USSR ceased to exist, the US conducted a war against Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Since then America has fought four major wars against foreign nations, including the bombing campaign in Yugoslavia, the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq (for the second time), and the bombing campaign in Libya. It stopped short of starting a fifth war against Syria in 2013, a move which was prevented in large part by the mediation of Russia, which convinced the Syrian government to relinquish its chemical weapons.
Washington justifies its interventions on humanitarian reasons and the obligation to depose repressive governments. Such obligations however, do not seem to apply to countries which have a poor human rights record, like Saudi Arabia, but remain American allies.
Yanukovich wanted over mass killings in Ukraine, whereabouts unknown
Yanukovich wanted over mass killings in Ukraine, whereabouts unknown
The new Ukrainian authorities have put missing President Yanukovich on the wanted list on suspicion of involvement in mass killings during the riots in Kiev. He was reportedly last seen at his residence in Crimea.
The arrest warrant was issued on Monday, acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced on his Facebook page.
He added that Yanukovich was last seen on Sunday night leaving his security detail a private resort in Crimea in southern Ukraine.
In addition to Yanukovich, some other officials are now wanted in Ukraine, Avakov said, but did not name them.
The ousted Ukrainian leader had fled Kiev last week after days of deadly clashes between armed radical protesters and security forces.
He was believed to have visited the city of Kharkov on Saturday and later tried to leave the country, but failed when his plane was not allowed to take off by the border guards, who said it hadn't filed the proper paperwork. His exact movements were unknown to the public.
But Avakov's report details a suggested travel route that Yanukovich may have taken, which includes helicopter trips from Kiev to Kharkov and later from Kharkov to Donetsk, two failed attempts to leave that city on separate private jets, a motorcade transfer to a private Crimean resort and later to another one in Crimean Balaclava.
There he offered his bodyguards the choice either to go with him or stay. Those who stayed were issued official resignations of their governmental security detail, Avakov said.
Various reports on Sunday night and Monday claimed that Yanukovich had been arrested in Donetsk, hiding with a thousand-strong entourage in a monastery, was preparing his personal yacht to sail away through the Black Sea, or had been assassinated by foreign special services.
So far the rumor mill has not been accurate.
The opposition-controlled parliament earlier tried to impeach Yanukovich, but later decided not to follow procedure and simply declared him deposed on the grounds that he is not conducting his presidential duties.
His own Party of Regions blamed him for the killings in Kiev and the chaos that befell Ukraine.
Yanukovich's downfall came after three months of mishandling the political crisis, during which he failed either to meet enough opposition demands to ensure the deflation of the tension or act decisively to restore public order.
As he avoided taking responsibility, the opposition forces became increasingly dominated by radical activists, who eventually resorted to violence against police to attain their goals.
The situation in Ukraine remains unstable, with reports of vigilantism on the ground, brewing secessionist sentiment in the predominantly-Russian east and south of the country, the paralysis of the national security service and a looming financial collapse.
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