Russian troops fire into air as Ukrainians march on Crimean airbase

[EX500rider]

Source: BBC

"Russian troops guarding Crimea's Belbek airbase fired warning shots into the air as Ukrainian soldiers approached them on Tuesday."

(mostly video at link)



Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26443227

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The Ukrainians marched in order under their flag unarmed and sang their national anthem. They wanted back in their airbase. Very brave move i thought.

[Demeter]

1. Pretty stupid move, IMO.

But then, I am more of a realist than these Ukrainians, I suspect. And I really don't believe in martyrdom.

[christx30]

6. It wasn't martyrdom.

Neither wants to be the side that fires first. Neither wants to be the side that starts the war. Ukraine dared the Russians to do it. Russia declined. It is Mutally Assured Destruction, what Putin is doing for the world. Find out where the line is that he can cross before the shooting starts. Get your foot right up to the line, and push just a bit.
It shows Putin that he's not in charge of the situation. Maybe get him to back down. And all done without anyone dying.

[joshcryer]

10. Not really. They backed down when militas came around.

So they know 1) that trained army won't shoot fellow military men and 2) that it is more likely paid militas / thugs would be untrained and disrespectful and fire.

[KeepItReal]

2. Here's a link to the story as it happened last night

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024601214

[jakeXT]

3. When shooting in air, bullet can land anywhere

[MillennialDem]

5. It's safe if shot nearly straight up - but very, very dangerous if shot at a 45ish degree angle

instead.

Not that I condone firing into the air or even own any guns.

[EmilyAnne]

8. I would say any shooting is dangerous in that it invites return shots from frightened people. nt

[MillennialDem]

9. Fair enough

[blackspade]

4. I can see this unravelling on the Russians.

There are undoubtedly ethnic Russians among these Ukrainian soldiers.
If the Russians start killing Russian Ukrainians the local population will turn on them.

[SunSeeker]

7. But there are no Russian forces in Crimea. Putin said so today.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/03/04/285653335/putin-says-those-arent-russian-forces-in-crimea

[kiranon]

17. If soldiers are not Russian, Ukrainian or Crimean then they are

mercenaries not legally in the country and they should be deported to who knows where. Prison would be appropriate until some country claims them. Believe a UN force could go in and place them under arrest since no country claims these soldiers. I would go along with Putin's claim that the soldiers are not Russians and treat the soldiers accordingly. Perhaps the soldiers could be offered sanctuary in a Western country if Russia has abandoned them. I would put up signs in front of the mercenaries saying that Russia has abandoned you, put down your weapons and join us.

[SunSeeker]

18. LOL Great idea!

Round up anyone without a patch on their uniform. All the Ukrainian soldiers have patches on their uniforms; they have nothing to be ashamed of.

[ButterflyBlood]

11. Those are some brave Ukranian soldiers. Kudos to them!

And this is the sort of way to stand up to Putin.

[angrychair]

12. OP and article title misleading

This was a UKRAINIAN airbase, not a Russian one. Russian soldiers raided the base and Ukrainian military retreated to avoid armed conflict. The images are of their marching back to their own base in an attempt to save face and get their airfield back.

[newthinking]

13. Crimea is an autonomous republic, they have their own Parliment and constitution

They consider the government in Kiev to be illegitimate and the bases are closed according to Crimean law.

I am not sure how we can really say that the Crimean movement, which is actually far more representative of the population in that region, are less legitimate than Kiev. Seems like if we are ok with one we certainly have to be consistent and be ok with the other.

[angrychair]

15. I respectfully disagree

Last edited Wed Mar 5, 2014, 04:32 PM - Edit history (1)

Crimean autonomy is symbolic, it still falls under Ukrainian law and its military. Currently there is no prime minister (which is approved by Kiev) or parliament. There is a good Washington Post article about the history and current governing situation of Crimea worth reading that I have attached:
http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2014/03/03/crimean-autonomy-a-viable-alternative-to-war/

Hope that helps!

[The Magistrate]

20. You Do Not Seem To Understand The Matter Very Well, Sir

The Crimean authorities, even if viewed as legitimate, have no more authority to close a Ukraine Army or Air Force or Navy base then, say, the state of Texas would have to close the U.S. Army base at Fort Hood.

[RobertEarl]

14. What kind of war is this?!!

They wont even shoot each other!!

This is like the dumbest war ever.

Some a one a youse must be quite upset they aren't killing each other.

[Adrahil]

16. I think Putin expected the Ukrainians to shoot,

Justifying his use if force, at least to his own people. But the Ukrainians didn't cooperate...

[SunSeeker]

19. Indeed. The Ukrainians approached the Russians without their weapons.

It still freaked the Russians out--one of them fired a rifle in the air. Wusses. The Ukrainians have been playing this quite well, with incredible bravery. The Crimea airport standoff footage Rachel showed last night was stunning.