Russia classifies military casualties in peacetime

[Bosonic]

Source: AP

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to make losses of Russian troops in peacetime a secret.

The decree published on the official government website and signed by Putin on Wednesday makes it a state secret to divulge information about peacetime losses of Russian troops in "special operations."

The decree comes as evidence of Russian involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine is mounting.

Ukraine last week captured two men who it said were Russian officers operating on the side of the separatists in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry said the two are no longer active servicemen. The two men, however, insisted in several video interviews that they were in Ukraine on their commanders' orders.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/russia-classifies-military-casualties-peacetime-31357460

[Duckhunter935]

1. Not surprised

He has to try and his his country's involvement with the invasion of another sovereign nation. I am sure RT will cover this any minute now.

[DetlefK]

2. Either there are no russian soldiers in Ukraine, or they are there on "special operations".

Putin just admitted that the Russians in Ukraine aren't independent volunteers... What a faux-pas.

[Nitram]

3. This is hilarious.

Sounds like "ignore the man behind the curtain."

[Adrahil]

5. It'd be hilarious if it wasn't so sad. n/t

[Nitram]

8. yes, but sometimes you have to laugh just to keep from cryin'

[Adrahil]

4. Strangethinking will be along any minute to tell us....

... To stop picking on Putin.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

6. Odd that Putin would openly sign a decree ...

that he's been enforcing without a decree.



The U.S. is always open about the circumstances of Special Operations deaths.

Chief Quartermaster (QMC) Phillips: My orders say I'm not supposed to know where I'm taking this boat, so I don't! But one look at you, and I know it's gonna be hot!
Willard: We're going up river about 75 klicks above the Do Lung bridge.
Chief Quartermaster (QMC) Phillips: That's Cambodia, captain.
Willard: That's classified. We're not supposed to be in Cambodia, but that's where I'm going.

[samsingh]

7. he's taking lessons from the bushees.

[Nitram]

10. In that case he's headed for a fall.

[pampango]

9. Moscow Times: "Putin Classifying Troop Losses Proves They're in Ukraine – Analysts"

Legal amendments introduced Thursday that classify as state secrets any losses sustained during peacetime special operations are further confirmation of Russia's direct involvement in the Ukraine conflict, legal and military experts told The Moscow Times.

The amendments, signed by President Vladimir Putin, make "information disclosing the loss of personnel … during special operations in peacetime" a classified state secret.

Military servicemen who are killed, injured or go missing can be considered military losses, meaning their relatives will be forced to keep information about their deaths a secret, lawyers said Thursday.

"Even a death notification sent to parents or other relatives [of a soldier] can be considered a secret under this decree," Ivan Pavlov, a leading lawyer in the field of government transparency who has successfully defended treason suspects, told The Moscow Times.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/putin-classifying-troop-losses-proves-theyre-in-ukraine--analysts/522577.html

[snooper2]

11. I've noticed our pro-Putin posters have been really quiet as of late-

Some of these articles are becoming impossible to spin I guess

[Nitram]

12. Must be frustrating for them to try to propagandize informed people.