Six NATO countries say ready to dispatch their forces to Black Sea area, among them Russia's new BFF Turkey.

Six NATO countries say ready to dispatch their forces to Black Sea area, among them Russia's new BFF Turkey. (Tass).

As many as six NATO countries are prepared to send their ground-based, naval and air force units to the Black Sea area in 2017, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday upon the completion of the first day of a conference of the North-Atlantic pact's defense ministers.

He said Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, Turkey, and the U.S. had confirmed their plans to dispatch units to Romania for a strengthening of NATO presense in the Black Sea area.

Specifically, he said 

• Albania, Italy, Poland, and Slovenia will join the Canadian military already depoloyed in Latvia, 
• Belgium, Croatia, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, 
• and Norway will join the Germans in Lithuania. 
• Denmark and France will send unit to pool with the Brits in Estonia, while Romania and Britain will augment the U.S. troops in Poland. Hmmm.....Putin should know better than to trust Erdogan. Read the full story here.

Russia to open new naval base in Black Sea to counter NATO.

Russia to open new naval base in Black Sea to counter NATO. (RBTH).

The Russian Defense Ministry is completing the construction of the final three submarine berths in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk (930 miles south of Moscow). According to a RBTH source in the military-industrial complex, the Black Sea Fleet's new base will host six Varshavyanka class Project 636.6 submarines.

"Currently, three of them are already in the city's harbor – the Rostov-on-Don, Novorossiysk and Stary Oskol," said the RBTH source.

"Each submarine is equipped with underwater torpedoes to combat surface ships and Kalibr missiles, which have demonstrated their combat power in Syria, including the ability to hit targets at a distance of up to 2,500 km."

According to the source, the decision to deploy an additional base on the Black Sea was made in connection with the increased activity of NATO warships in the past few years.


"The deployment of Varshavyanka class Project 636.6) submarines in Novorossiysk allows Russia to control potential threats in Europe and the Middle East," said the source.

The strength of the new base's location for the Black Sea Fleet is the possibility to distribute ships and submarines between several naval bases in the same region, say analysts. However, the base in Novorossiysk has a crucial issue that still needs to be resolved.

"First of all, it’s about climatic conditions," Litovkin told RBTH. "The maritime area of Novorossiysk is regularly subjected to the impact of northern winds from the Caucasus Mountains, which hit ships and houses in their path with great force.

“The wind can throw ships ashore and destroy the entire military infrastructure. The base is being constructed in such a way that the gusts of wind will not be so catastrophic."


According to him, Russia is building an additional tunnel in the Caucasus Mountains to nullify the threat of destructive winds.

US warship given permission to traverse Bosphorus en route to Black Sea.

US warship given permission to traverse Bosphorus en route to Black Sea. (HD).

Turkish authorities have given permission to a U.S. Navy warship to pass through the Bosphorus within the next two days as fears grow that the standoff between Russia and Ukraine and the West over Crimea could soon become militarized.

Turkish sources, speaking with the Hürriyet Daily News on March 5, declined to elaborate on the name of the U.S. warship. The same officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, however, noted that it was not the USS George H.W. Bush nuclear aircraft carrier as suggested in some news reports, as it did not meet the standards specified by the 1936 Montreux Convention in terms of weight.

According to the Montreux Convention, the total weight of military ships that non-littoral states to the Black Sea may deploy to the body of water cannot exceed 45,000 tons.

Video - Yanukovich denies ouster, says 'ashamed & guilty' for not preventing chaos

Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich pledges to fight for Ukraine. He addressed a press conference in southern Russia, appearing in public for the first time since he fled Kiev amid bloody riots.

“No one has ousted me,” Yanukovich told reporters. “I had to leave Ukraine because of a direct threat to my life and the lives of my family.”

According to Yanukovich, “nationalist fascist-like fellows representing the absolute minority of Ukrainians” took over power in Ukraine.

He described the situation in Ukraine as “complete lawlessness,” “terror” and "chaos", saying that the politicians, including MPs, have been threatened and are working under threats.

It has nothing to do with the unity government that was negotiated with the opposition, he said.

The violence and deaths in Ukraine are the “result of the irresponsible politics of the West, which has encouraged Maidan,” Yanukovich stressed.

US and other Western countries’ representatives “must take full responsibility” for the fact that the agreement between Yanukovich and the opposition leaders was not held, the ousted president stressed. Western powers’ “patronage” of Maidan makes them directly responsible for the situation in Ukraine, he claimed.

The current Ukrainian parliament is “not legitimate,” and the people in power are spreading the propaganda of violence, Yanukovich asserted.

When asked if he feels ashamed of his actions, Yanukovich replied that he feels ashamed and sorry for “not having been able to stabilize the situations and stop the mayhem” in Ukraine.

“I want to apologize to the Ukrainian people for what has happened in Ukraine and that I lacked strength to maintain stability.”

Yanukovich also apologized to the Ukrainian riot police, Berkut, for having to “suffer” while doing their duty of maintaining peace and order. Police officers had to stand their ground while rioters set them on fire with petrol bombs, he reminded.

Yanukovich stressed he had not given any order for police to shoot live fire until the rioters started using firearms, putting the officers’ lives under threat.

According to Yanukovich, the early Ukrainian elections announced for May 25 are “illegitimate” and he will not take part in them.

However, he said that he will “remain in politics.”

Ukraine parliament appeals for UN Security Council to discuss crisis.

Ukraine parliament appeals for UN Security Council to discuss crisis.Live updates from here from BBC.

Update: Ukraine says Russian forces block airport


Good Crimea analysis and recs from Carnegie.  … "What was once seen as impossible has now become all too conceivable."

MT  Seems to be new Russian Army uniform: http://en.ria.ru/photolents/20121225/178388360_4.html … Any other suggestions?

Putin seeks Ukraine financial aid consultations with IMF and G8; will consider Crimean authorities' request of humanitarian aid

Putin seeks Ukraine financial aid consultations with IMF and G8; will consider Crimean authorities' request of humanitarian aid.(RBTH).

Russian President Vladimir Putin has instructed the government to continue to work together with its Ukrainian partners in order to further promote trade and business ties between the two countries, hold consultations with Russia's international partners, including the International Monetary Fund, concerning the issue of financial assistance for Ukraine, as well as consider the possibility of sending humanitarian supplies to Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea in response to an appropriate request from it, presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said.

"President of Russian Vladimir Putin instructed the government of Russia to continue contacts with its partners in Kyiv on matters surrounding the development of trade and business ties between the Russian Federation and Ukraine," Peskov said.

The president also ordered that consultations be held with Russia's foreign partners, among them the IMF and G8 member countries, concerning the issue of financial aid for Ukraine, he said.

"Apart from that, bearing in mind the Crimean authorities' request of humanitarian aid, the president of Russia instructed the Russian government to consider this issue, including on the part of regions of the Russian Federation," he said.Read the full story here.

Ukraine Accuses Russian Soldiers in Crimea of armed 'Invasion' and 'occupation'.

Update:

Ukraine Accuses Russian Soldiers in Crimea of armed 'Invasion' and 'occupation'.(RN).

The interior minister of Ukraine accused Russian troops Friday of blockading an airport in the Crimean city of Sevastopol in what he has described as an armed invasion.

While stressing that no direct violent confrontations had taken place, Arsen Avakov said the matter should be dealt with on a diplomatic level before armed clashes broke out.

Avakov said on his Facebook account that troops from the Black Sea Fleet, which is stationed in the city, could be seen outside Belbek airport, although the inside of the terminal was controlled by Ukrainian troops.

“The airport is not operating. At the external perimeter there are Ukrainian Interior Ministry checkpoints. There have been not been armed clashes,” Avakov said.

The alleged presence of Black Sea Fleet troops at the airport, if confirmed, would be in direct defiance of a demand by Ukrainian interim authorities Thursday for Russian troops to refrain from leaving their quarters. That appeal apparently echoed international concern that Moscow may choose to throw its weight behind pro-Russian groups in Crimea seeking to defy interim authorities in Kiev.

“Any movement, particularly with weapons, outside official residences regulated by our agreement will be interpreted by us as military aggression,” interim President Oleksandr Turchynov said.

Russia, which has a substantial military presence at its leased naval base in Sevastopol, has insisted it will not interfere in its neighbor’s affairs, while at the same time voicing worries about possible discrimination against ethnic Russians in the country.

About half of Crimea’s population identifies as ethnic Russian. Ousted President Viktor Yanukovych drew much of his support from Ukraine’s Russian population, which has reacted with alarm at what it perceives as an aggressively nationalistic rule now installed in Kiev.

In his statement Friday, Avakov said that 100 men that he said identified themselves as Cossacks attempted overnight Thursday to occupy the airport in Simferopol, which is 80 kilometers northeast of Sevastopol, but were repelled. “The territory of the airport was vacated by the ‘Cossacks’ at one o’clock – they boarded covered Kamaz trucks and left,” he said. He said that 119 armed soldiers in camouflage apparently belonging to the Russian armed forces arrived at the airport building at 1:30 a.m. and settled in an airport restaurant.

The soldiers refused to respond to queries from Interior Ministry officers about whether they were soldiers and if they had permission to be in the airport.

“I assess what is happening as an armed invasion and occupation. It is in violation of all international treaties and norms. This is a direct provocation to armed bloodshed on the territory of a sovereign state,” Avakov said.

Anyone surprised? Central banker appointed as Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Anyone surprised? Central banker appointed as Prime Minister of Ukraine.HT: Blacklistednews.

A reshuffled Ukrainian Parliament installed following a coup last week has voted to appoint Arseniy Yatsenyuk as the new prime minister of the country. 

Yats, as Victoria Nuland, the Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs at the U.S. State Department, called him, is a natural choice. He is a millionaire former banker who served as economy minister, foreign minister and parliamentary speaker before Yanukovych took office in 2010. He is a member of Yulie Tymoshenko’s Fatherland Party. 

Prior to the revolution Tymoshenko was incarcerated for embezzlement and other crimes against the people of Ukraine. Now she will be part of the installed government, same as she was after the last orchestrated 'CHANGE', the Orange Revolution.

Yats will deliver Ukraine to the international bankers. “Ukraine is on the brink of bankruptcy and needs to be saved from collapse — Yatsenyuk has a strong economic background,” Ariel Cohen, senior fellow at the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, told Bloomberg on Wednesday. “Ukraine faces difficult reforms but without them there won’t be a successful future.”Hmmm.....You think he knows Goldman sachs?

Armed soldiers surround Crimea's main airports in Sevastopol and Simferopol.

Armed soldiers surround Crimea's main airports in Sevastopol and Simferopol.(Ukrainianpolicy).

UNIAN is reporting that approximately 6 military trucks full of armed soldiers are currently surrounding the Sevastapol International Airport, which doubles as an Ukrainian Air Force facility.

The source notes that “unknown armed people in uniform” also surrounded a guest residence normally reserved for senior officials. NBNews claims the soldiers to be Russian Black Sea Fleet personnel. Those on the scene were not able to identify the purpose of the soldiers, as they will not answer questions to the press.

Gazeta quotes Ukrainian political scientist Pavel Nuss, citing his own sources, who identified the troops as Russian military and said the convoy rammed the , and speculates that the purpose may be to secure airlift of troops in.

Local news is reporting that in fact both Sevastopol and Simferopol airports are surrounded, the latter by militants at 1am local time. Interfax and Ukrainska Pravda confirmed these reports, and that approximately 150 armed unmarked soldiers are in the area, dropped off via 3 unmarked Kamaz transport trucks. The airport is still operational. They report that 25 supporters have a Russian naval flag. The soldiers speak with heavy Russian accents.

The head of the security at the airport stated the gunmen “politely” asked security officers to leave, and while refuting an outright takeover, they “arrived at the airport to search for Ukrainian airborne troops. However, after finding out that there was no military present on the tarmac, they apologized and left the territory.”

Russian MP Vladimir Garnachuk, who is now in Simferopol, elaborated that the aim of the operation was to stop the interim Ukrainian president Oleksandr Turchynov from landing in Crimea.

This news comes directly after armed insurgents occupied the Crimean parliament buildings in Simferopol under the Russian flag.Hmmm........What counts is to be the first with the most.

More troubling news from Crimea:

New head of Crimean regional govt says Yanukovych still president, will take instructions from him. http://t.co/zKpI3Zxxq4

— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) February 27, 2014

More and more of these “mutinous berkut guard the entrance to the crimea” stories coming in. http://t.co/lTUYUpLcHn

— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) February 27, 2014

Tomorrow, we expect to be following the story of Crimean self-defense forces, and the return of the now-disbanded Berkut, because these could now be the front-line soldiers of a counterrevolution — or not, but tensions look like they are increasing at the moment, not decreasing.

What are the odds of the Crimea breaking away from Ukraine?

What are the odds of the Crimea breaking away from Ukraine?(RBTH).

There are two important factors to consider: the ethno-cultural, and the economic.

Crimea is the most Russian part of Ukraine. Its population is 58 percent ethnic Russian, 24 percent Ukrainian, and 12-per-cent Tatar. Russian is the mother tongue for three quarters of Crimeans. Only 10 per cent say their mother tongue is Ukrainian. According to the Kiev International Institute of Sociology, 97 per cent of Crimeans speak Russian.

Crimea does not have an economic elite oriented towards Europe. Its economy was devastated over the years of Ukrainian independence. In the late 1990s Ukrainian oligarchs grabbed many of the most lucrative Crimean resorts, and even began to invest some money into them - but it was other people's money. That is why the Crimean elite does not have the kind of interests that make the Donetsk or Dnipropetrovsk-based elites so pliable when the EU or the USA put their pressure to bear.
For these two reasons, Crimea could not remain indifferent to what is going on in Kiev. The first reaction was anger, the second – demands to restore order.

Three possible scenarios.

The first scenario is that things will somehow settle down of their own accord. However, the only person that seems to believe this is President Yanukovych. The chances of that scenario coming to pass are slim.

The second scenario is that Crimea will receive even broader autonomy. This scenario will come to pass only if some degree of stability is restored - and that will only be possible if the parties agree to the federalization of Ukraine. But supporters of Ukrainian independence are afraid of federalization.

The third scenario is Crimea breaking off from Ukraine and becoming another “unrecognized state” under Russian protection. Kiev does not have the strength to prevent that, even if a functioning government is restored in the Ukrainian capital.

Ukraine does not have especially effective armed forces, and due to the crisis, it has next to no economic leverage remaining either. But such a scenario could trigger a conflict in Crimea itself - a conflict between the Crimean Tatars and ethnic Russians who inhabit the peninsula.Based on materials from Vzglyad.Read the full story here.

Ukraine will appeal to NATO, if it turns out that in the Crimea Russian spetsnaz active.

Ukraine will appeal to NATO, if it turns out that in the Crimea Russian spetsnaz.(Cencornet).

Ukraine will appeal to NATO, if it turns out that in the Crimea Russian Spetznaz  acting for  the Russian Federation.

This was announced today on the sidelines of the parliament said the candidate for the position of First Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Vitaly Yarema * , reports RBC-Ukraine reports Tsenzor.NET .

Read also "Tsenzor.NET": Russia's actions in the Crimea can provoke jihad on the peninsula ,

- The New York Times "I have no advice for all occasions. I hope that this is not the Russian special forces. 'Cause if Russian special forces, it is aggression of a foreign state, it will have recourse to NATO. This is enter the relevant international agreement ... and how we will continue to act, let this not yet think "- said Yarema.

He expressed hope that in the Crimea still no Russian special forces. "I hope this is just some of the gang, with which we quickly understand, "- said Yarema.

Video - ATR Live from Crimea / Ukraine protests

BREAKING: Crimea parliament announces referendum on autonomous region’s future http://on.rt.com/fjrquo

 Video - ATR Live from Crimea / Ukraine.

From Euromaidan :

Ukrainian MFA handed note to Russian Chargé d'affaires calling for immediate consultations. Following the recent developments in Crimea, Ukrainian foreign ministry handed note to Russian Chargé d'affaires calling for immediate consultations under the Article 7 of Ukraine-Russia Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership of 31 May 1997.

A separate note called Russia to refrain from redeploying its troops outside zones settled by respective international agreements on Russian Black Sea fleet stationing in Crimea. Ukrainian foreign ministry, moreover, reiterated Russian obligations to guarantee Ukrainian territorial integrity under the Budapest memorandum of 1994.



 Latest Updates via Twitter: @YanniKouts and here at Storify

Related?

Russian spy ship Just docked in Havana

In depth : Crimea – from playground to battleground

Crimea Crisis? - Chechens ready to keep peace in Crimea - Kadyrov.

Update: Ukrainian fugitive president Yanukovych asks for Russia's protection from 'extremists' - @AP

Any kind of unsanctioned movement of Russian military in Crimea we'll consider as "an aggression" http:world.time.com/2014/02/27/pro-russia-forces-storm-government-offices-in-ukraines-crimea/ …

Crimea Crisis? - Chechens ready to keep peace in Crimea - Kadyrov.(RBTH).

Head of Russia's internal republic of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov is ready to protect the rights of the Russian-speaking people in Crimea that sees disturbances over the change in authorities.

"Ukraine and Russia are fraternal peoples. I have many Ukrainian friends, and like them all and regret what has recently been happening there The majority of people living today in Crimea are Russians, Cossacks. We are always with them and if necessary are ready to come to the rescue. We will stand up for Russians, Cossacks and Chechens no matter where they live," Kadyrov told journalists on Wednesday.

Chechens are "a part of multiethnic and multi-religious Russia" and live "in friendship with all peoples," he said.

"We are called upon to protect our peoples. If necessary, we are ready to go, to be observers. If necessary, we are ready to be peacekeepers and soldiers and protect the people," Kadyrov said.

He also called on Crimean Tatars not to fan up tensions. "Those who came to the square [outside the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol] today and say that they were deported, heat up tensions. Chechens, the whole Chechen people, were departed as well […] I think if one is unhappy, he should act in line with the law rather than profit from the moment, gather in groups and shout various slogans," Kadyrov said.

Update: Russian Troops Arrive at Ukrainian Border http://nbcnews.to/1dD8X6K 

Unconfirmed reports of Houses of Parliament and the Council of Ministers of Crimea captured by armed men "in unmarked uniform."

Update: From Jpost: 

Armed men seize government HQ, raise Russian flag in Ukraine's Crimea .

Armed men seized the regional government headquarters and parliament on Ukraine's Crimea peninsula on Thursday and raised the Russian flag.

A Reuters correspondent on the scene in the Crimean capital, Simferopol, said the door of the parliament was blockaded from inside by tables and chairs and no one was now able to enter.

Interfax news agency quoted a witness as saying there were about 60 people inside and that they had many weapons. It said no one had been hurt when the buildings were seized in the early hours of Thursday.

"I heard gunfire in the night, came down and saw lots of people going in. Some then left. I'm not sure how many are still in there," a 30-year-old man who gave his name only as Roman told Reuters.

Houses of Parliament and the Council of Ministers of Crimea captured by armed men "in unmarked uniform." HT: Flot.[Google Translate]

Houses of Parliament and the Council of Ministers of Crimea captured by armed men "in unmarked uniform." This was announced by the head of the Majlis on Facebook (unofficial Crimean Tatar parliament) Refat Chubarov. Any claims, according to him, they have not yet advanced.

capture by buildings shall also BSNews. "Information untrue. Council of Ministers of Crimea on the building raised the Russian flag" - the agency. According to the "Center for Investigative Journalism," and raised the Russian flag over the building of the Crimean parliament.

The source said some details of the capture: according to him, in the capture of a government building people "overpowered guards and police threw stun grenades." town center, according to the source, is covered by law enforcement officials. Were not allowed any pedestrians or vehicles. eve of the building of the Crimean parliament passed two rallies.

In one of them supporters attended the Crimea to Russia, the other - the representatives of the Crimean Tatar community, acting for the preservation of the region within Ukraine and supports the recent change of government in the country.

Black Sea Fleet will make adjustments - Milonow about Crimea

St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly deputy Vitaly Milonow commented on the situation around the Crimea, where clashes between persons claiming the MPs not to recognize the new leadership, and the Crimean Tatars, supporting the change of power in the country.

"Can we afford this way, a handful for some new minorities pass Crimea Banderovites? It's time real patriotism "- wrote in his microblog deputy in the" Twitter. "

According to him, the Crimean Tatars have been dreaming about the Kosovo scenario "grab Orthodox edge using fascists and NATO." "Black Sea Fleet will make adjustments "- he concluded.

Recall, February 25 inhabitants of Crimea began an indefinite protest in front of the Supreme Council, demanding that the deputies did not recognize the country's new leadership. They also demanded to restore the constitution of the Crimea as amended in 1992, according to which the republic had its own president and independent foreign policy.

February 26 at the same location of the Crimean Tatars rally began supporting the change of power in the country. Meetings between members clashes. According to some reports, about 20 people injured, one died.

Defense Ministry takes measures to ensure safety of facilities, infrastructure and arsenals Black Sea Fleet, told reporters Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

"We carefully watch what happens in the Crimea that is happening around the Black Sea Fleet. We take measures to ensure the security of the facilities, infrastructure and arsenals Black Sea Fleet, "- said the Minister on February 26 in Moscow.

About what exactly measures in question, he did not elaborate. 

Meanwhile, earlier unofficially reported that some checkpoints BSF reinforced armor in case of provocation. In general, as a source said RIA Novosti, stationed in the Crimea, the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian bear service as usual.

A change of power in Ukraine took place over the weekend. Verkhovna Rada of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych from power to change the constitution, the duties entrusted to the President and the Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov appointed presidential elections on May 25.

Yanukovych also said that is the legally elected head of state, and the country has all the hallmarks of a coup. Moscow doubts in the legitimacy of decisions of the Verkhovna Rada .

On Tuesday, some residents gathered for an indefinite Crimean rally demanding the leadership of the region not to recognize the new government in Kiev. On the other hand rally representatives of the Crimean Tatar community, supporting the change of power.

NATO Responds To Russian Military Drill, Backs "Inviolability" Of Ukraine Frontiers.

NATO Responds To Russian Military Drill, Backs "Inviolability" Of Ukraine Frontiers.HT: Zerohedge.
Shortly after today's surprising announcement by Russia that it would conduct broad military drills in Central and Western Russia, which would include 150,000 troops, we posted a rhetorical question: How will NATO respond?

Moments ago NATO responded:

• NATO: INDEPENDENT, STABLE UKRAINE KEY TO EURO-ATLANTIC SECURITY
• NATO BACKS UKRAINIAN TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY, ALLIANCE SAYS
• NATO ALLIES CONTINUE TO BACK UKRAINE SOVEREIGNTY, ALLIANCE SAYS
• NATO BACKS `INVIOLABILITY OF FRONTIERS' ON UKRAINE: ALLIANCE
• NATO COMMENDS ARMY FOR STAYING OUT OF UKRAINE POLITICAL CRISIS
• NATO SAYS IMPERATIVE THAT UKRAINE ARMY DOESN'T INTERVENE

Full NATO statement:

We continue to follow developments in Ukraine very closely. We deplore the tragic loss of life. We welcome the fact that violence has been stopped through negotiations that paved the way for a peaceful outcome. We emphasise the importance of an inclusive political process based on democratic values, respect for human rights, minorities and the rule of law, which fulfils the democratic aspirations of the entire Ukrainian people.
NATO and Ukraine have a distinctive partnership, embodied in the NATO-Ukraine Commission. Through that partnership framework, NATO stands ready to continue to engage with Ukraine and assist with the implementation of reforms. Defence reform and military cooperation remain key priorities. We commend the Ukrainian armed forces for not intervening in the political crisis. In a democracy, it is imperative that the armed forces do not intervene in the political process. We underscore the need to strengthen democratic control over the defence and security sector, with effective parliamentary oversight and the robust involvement of civil society. In the context of recent tragic events, transparent democratic and accountable institutions are essential to the future of Ukraine.
A sovereign, independent and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security. Consistent with the Charter on a Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine, NATO Allies will continue to support Ukrainian sovereignty and independence, territorial integrity, democratic development, and the principle of inviolability of frontiers, as key factors of stability and security in Central and Eastern Europe and on the continent as a whole.

And as the military escalations - now on both sides - escalate some more, the algos are BTFATH. Let's sit back and watch which back off first.Hmmm.....How long before NATO could bring in enough troops to stop a Russian 'invasion'?

Russian versus Tartars Shouting 'Allah Akbar" in confrontation outside regional assembly in Simferopol.

Live blogging and updating :

Far more serious — the Russian military has announced a series of surprise drills, in what is being seen as a major provocation:

Russian President Vladi­mir Putin ordered surprise military exercises Wednesday and put troops in the area on high alert starting at 2 p.m. Moscow time. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the drills were aimed at checking preparedness “for action in crisis situations that threaten the nation’s military security,” but he made no mention of Ukraine.

The exercises, due to start Friday and last four days, will also involve elements of the Russian navy and air force, Shoigu said.

The exercises, he said, involve the western military district, which abuts Ukraine’s northeastern border and is headquartered in St. Petersburg, and units of the central district, which covers a vast swath across the middle of Russia and is headquartered in the Ural Mountain city of Yekaterinburg. The district closest to the Crimea, the area with the greatest agitation for Russian protection, is not involved.“

According to the order of the President of the Russian Federation today at 14.00, all divisions and units of the Western Military District are on alert, as well as the 2nd Army of the Central Military District, the command of Air-Space Defense, paratrooper divisions, and short- and long-range air transport units,” said Shoygu at the MoD meeting.

In Sevastopol, the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation military lists serve families of seamen in case of evacuation. This 0692.ua reported a source in the Black Sea Fleet.

In case of possible provocations against military equipment, facilities, vehicles, military, naval infantry brigades listed on high alert, particularly Temryuk Brigade, and others - also the source said.

And in the center of Sevastopol February 25 saw the APC. - Indeed, movements occur within a single technology anti terrorist measures to strengthen the protection of objects of the Russian Federation - Site ForPost correspondent confirmed a source close to the leadership of the Black Sea Fleet.



Related:

Moscow will protect ‘compatriots’ in Ukraine, says Russian lawmaker,
.  “If lives and health of our compatriots are in danger, we won’t stay aside,” said Leonid Slutsky.





Headline on @ukrpravda_news says that Chechnya's Ramzan Kadyrov is going to Crimea. This can't turn out well. 


Update: HT: Roland Oliphant

Sevastopol to Simferopol road crammed with cars headed to today's pro-revolution Tatar rally, or the anti revolution Russian one.Edit that; definitely a Tatar convoy, and picking up more as they travel.Insane Russian versus Tartar confrontation outside regional assembly in Simferopol today.
Update:

Bottles, stones and flags flew in the air as thousands of pro-and anti-Russian demonstrators clashed in front of the parliament building in Simferopol, the capital of Ukraine's autonomous Crimea region.

The rival groups are protesting for and against the new national authorities in Kiev. Part of the residents proclaimed that Crimea are not going to obey Kiev, while the local Muslim community of Crimean Tatars expressed support for the new Ukrainian authorities.

Two separate rallies, consisting of several thousands of protesters, are facing each other. Russians are shouting "Russia-Russia!" And "Berkut!", The name of the special police task force disbanded yesterday by the new Ukrainian authorities, who blame them for heavy-handed policing of opposition activists in recent months in central Kiev.

The Muslim community protesters are shouting "Ukraine-Ukraine!" And "Crimea is not Russia!" Pro-Russian demonstrators are holding Russian flags, while Tatars are holding Ukrainian flags and flags of their own nationalist organizations.

Video footage from the scene appears to show that both sides are preparing for a clash.

The police officers who temporarily left the scene have now returned to the square and are attempting to separate the two sides.The police are unarmed except for rubber batons.

The parliament of the Crimea autonomous region is now deciding when to hold a session to declare the region's official position toward the new authorities in Kiev. The Tatar community has spoken out sharply against holding a parliamentary session on the issue.

The speaker of the Crimean parliament, Vladimir Konstantinov, dismissed reports in the region's media that MPs would discuss the possible secession of the Crimea Autonomous Region from Ukraine.
"The Crimean parliament is not discussing the issue of secession from the state of Ukraine. This is A Provocation Aimed at discrediting the Autonomous Region's Supreme Council, to Deprive it of ITS Legitimacy, " he Said in A statement released Wednesday.

The Russian rally is demanding that the Crimea autonomous region declare independence and ask for assistance from Russia. Read the full story as it evolves here.

Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol prepares lists of military families in case of evacuation, Sevastopol is now guarded by Russian marines in armored vehicles. (Video).

Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol prepares lists of military families in case of evacuation.Sevastopol is now guarded by Russian marines in armored vehicles [video] (Flot).[GoogleTranslate].

In Sevastopol, the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation military lists serve families of seamen in case of evacuation. This 0692.ua reported a source in the Black Sea Fleet.

In case of possible provocations against military equipment, facilities, vehicles, military, naval infantry brigades listed on high alert, particularly Temryuk Brigade, and others - also the source said.

And in the center of Sevastopol February 25 saw the APC. - Indeed, movements occur within a single technology anti terrorist measures to strengthen the protection of objects of the Russian Federation - Site ForPost correspondent confirmed a source close to the leadership of the Black Sea Fleet.

Related:

Moscow will protect ‘compatriots’ in Ukraine, says Russian lawmaker,
.  “If lives and health of our compatriots are in danger, we won’t stay aside,” said Leonid Slutsky.



Update: HT: Roland Oliphant

Sevastopol to Simferopol road crammed with cars headed to today's pro-revolution Tatar rally, or the anti revolution Russian one.Edit that; definitely a Tatar convoy, and picking up more as they travel.Insane Russian versus Tartar confrontation outside regional assembly in Simferopol today.

Chinese Navy ships Enter Black Sea For First Time, Chinese frigate and Destroyer passed through the Dardanelles.

                                          The Jingkai II (Type 054A) class frigate 538


Chinese Navy ships Enter Black Sea For First Time, Chinese frigate and Destroyer passed through the Dardanelles.(Rferl).Officials at the Russian and Ukrainian defense ministries say Chinese naval vessels have entered the Black Sea for the first time ever. The "Qingdao" destroyer, armed with guided missiles, and the "Yinkai" Frigate, captained by the deputy commander of China's northern fleet, entered the sea on July 31 at Ukraine's invitation. The two Chinese ships have previously taken part in international operations against pirates in the Gulf of Aden. Officials said the "Yantai" was expected to sail to the Romanian port of Constanta before leaving the Black Sea on August 9, while the "Qingdao" was expected to stay in Ukraine's Crimean port of Sevastopol until August 4. In accordance with the Montreux Convention, the vessels of non-Black Sea countries can remain in Black Sea for up to 21 days.Read the full story here, more here.

Five Russian Backfire bombers over Black sea alert Bulgarian and Turkish air forces.

Five Russian Backfire bombers over Black sea alert Bulgarian and Turkish air forces.(Novinite).
Five Russian strategic bombers have raised alert with the Bulgarian and Turkish Air Forces after flying close by over the Black Sea on Wednesday.
The five Russian Tu-22 bombers were detected right off Bulgaria's coast, on the fringes of the Bulgarian air space, the Standart daily reported Thursday, saying that the information has been confirmed by sources from the Bulgarian Defense Ministry.
The Bulgarian military has explained, however, that the Russian bombers never entered Bulgaria's air space, even though they reached within 40 km of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast, apparently bound south, towards Africa.
At the same time, however, the Russian bombers are reported to have caused alarmed the Turkish Air Force, with unofficial information saying that the Turkish military immediate flew two F-16 fighters to escort the Russian bombers.
When asked why no Bulgarian fighter jets on duty were flew off over the Russian bombers, the Bulgarian Defense Ministry is quoted as saying that it is up to NATO's southern command to decide whose fighter jets would be sent in the air in similar situations.Read the full story here.