Russia Deploys Fighter Jets On Ukraine Border, Reportedly Takes In Ousted President

[n2doc]

Source: TPM/AP

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (AP) — Russia sent fighter jets to patrol the border with Ukraine, reportedly gave shelter to the country's fugitive president and stood by as pro-Russian gunmen stormed offices of a strategic region, deepening the crisis for Ukraine's new government even as it was being formed.

The moves pose an immediate challenge to Ukraine's new authorities as they seek to set up an interim government for the country, whose population is divided in loyalties between Russia and the West. Some 150,000 Russian soldiers carried out military exercises and fighter jets patrolled the border.

A respected Russian news organization reported that President Viktor Yanukovych, who was driven out of Kiev by a three-month protest movement, was staying in a Kremlin sanatorium just outside Moscow.

"I have to ask Russia to ensure my personal safety from extremists," Yanukovych said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies on Thursday. He said he still considers himself president.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/russia-fighter-jets-ukraine-border

[treestar]

1. What business is it of theirs?

Ukraine is another country entitled to decide its own government.

[DetlefK]

2. Ukraine has a huge russian minority and two languages: ukrainian and russian.

The eastern half is predominantly russia-friendly and russian is everyday-language in this area. The rest of the country (two thirds by area but only half by population) speaks ukrainian.

Both countries have close historic ties and eastern Ukraine was part of a huge industrial development-campaign (with russian aid) during the Cold War.

[melm00se]

3. sounds like Alsace-Lorraine of 100 years ago, no?

[loli phabay]

12. similar in some ways, ukraine will end up breaking up.

if the rodina pushes the ethnic russians in the east they will want to break away and when asked russia will support them. a better example of the ukraine would be former jugoslavia with distinct ethnic groups living within one country.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

4. It will be very interesting if Ukraine is able to get an indictment from the Hague.

A rogue NSA agent is small potatoes compared to a former president.

Would Russia voluntarily hand him over?

This could be a much bigger story than it already is.

[cosmicone]

5. This will not turn out well for the stupid Ukrainian protesters. n/t

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. Why were they "stupid"?

Just curious.

[stevenleser]

7. Apparently their great sin is to have offended Putin the magnificent and his puppet.

For that they are stupid or neo-nazis or whatever other slur will be dream't up.

[The Magistrate]

10. Some Are, Sir: Most Are Not

The 'Cold War' reflex works both ways, you know....

[TwilightGardener]

8. Is Ukraine going to invade them? What point is there to patrolling?

Other than to put on a show of force to save face? Russia seems to be flailing. They're going all North Korea Tantrum.

[The Magistrate]

13. Who Do Not Get Along With The Native Tatars, Sir

It is an interesting tangle there....

[TwilightGardener]

14. I doubt that. I think they're more concerned with naval bases and ports and industry and

a new, general lack of control over their neighbor. They're trying to exploit the last real Russia-friendly ties they have (people in the east/south) in order to win some leverage in the situation. I don't think they will invade--just shows of aggression to exert some influence. I wouldn't put it past them to false-flag some trouble in order to have a plausible excuse to "save" ethnic Russians, though. That's my take on it.

[Tarheel_Dem]

15. I wonder how many will have to die so Putin can save face?

[Earth_First]

16. Olympics are over; nothing to see here... nt

[daleo]

17. I recall when the U.S. Invaded Greneda

The pretext was to protect some American medical students there. Russia's excuse would be more plausible.