Russia moving missiles to Crimea amid Ukraine tensions

[left-of-center2012]

Russia is planning to move more anti-aircraft missiles to Crimea amid escalating tensions with Ukraine, the latest indication that the conflict between the two countries will continue to intensify, The Associated Press reported.

A top Russian Defense Ministry official, Col. Vadim Astafyev, told Interfax News Agency that Russia will soon have a total of three anti-aircraft missile systems on the Crimean peninsula, according to the AP. The announcement comes on the heels of a weekend in which Russia fired on and seized Ukrainian ships off the coast of Crimea.

The standoff marked first overt military confrontation between the two countries, the AP noted since the annexation of Crimea. The international community and some U.S. lawmakers have responded with pointed condemnation of Russia.

President Trump on Monday responded to the conflict for the first time, saying the U.S. will cooperate with Europe to address escalating tensions. "We do not like what’s happening either way," Trump told reporters. "We don't like what's happening, and hopefully it’ll get straightened out."

https://thehill.com/policy/international/418618-russia-moving-missiles-to-crimea-amid-ukraine-tensions

[mr_lebowski]

1. "Herpty Derp ... I don't understand a f***ing thing about any of this other than they say it's bad"

Trump told reporters, adding "What I do understand though is that it's kinda messing with my golf schedule, so we're wishing those people over there would just get it handled. But I trust President Putin!"

[CincyDem]

2. IMHO - Putin's blatant escalation in Ukraine is driven by the US Election results.

Had this republicans held the house, there would be no risk to his asset in the WH, enabling him to take a more subtle (yet time consuming) route to his end game in Ukraine.

With the dem win, just like Trump has got some things he's got to get done before 1/2/19 (like install a lackey AG - check, shut down Mueller - not so check yet)...Putin now has a timing squeeze and he's got some things he needs to get done while he's still got leverage in DC.

Just an opinion from flyover country but he's clearly playing the "possession is 9/10ths of the law" game. If he's in Ukraine on 1/2/19, it's going to be a lot harder to push him out.