Exclusive: Russian ‘Blackwater’ Takes Over Ukraine Airport

[okaawhatever]

Last edited Sat Mar 1, 2014, 11:30 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: Daily Beast

The troops who have taken over two airports in Crimea are not Russian military, but they could be security contractors working for the Russian military, and they are there to stay.
Private security contractors working for the Russian military are the unmarked troops who have now seized control over two airports in the Ukrainian province of Crimea, according to informed sources in the region. And those contractors could be setting the stage for ousted President Viktor Yanukovich to come to the breakaway region.

The new Ukrainian government in Kiev has accused Moscow of “an armed invasion and occupation” in the Crimean cities of Simferopol and Sevastopol, where well-armed and well-organized troops with no markings or identification have taken control of the airports. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Secretary of State John Kerry over the phone Friday that no Russian military or marines have been deployed outside of the base of the Black Sea Fleet, which is anchored nearby, officials in both governments said.

Lavrov was technically telling the truth, but the troops are being directed by the Russian government. Although not confirmed, informed sources in Moscow are telling their American interlocutors that the troops belong to Vnevedomstvenaya Okhrana, the private security contracting bureau inside the Russian interior ministry that hires mercenaries to protect Russian Navy installations and assets in Crimea. Other diplomatic sources said that the troops at the airport were paramilitary troops but not specifically belonging to Vnevedomstvenaya Okhrana.

Simes cautioned that information about the fast moving events in Crimea is hard to verify, but the message coming out of Moscow is that these security contractors were deployed by the Russian military for two purposes; first of all they want to secure the airport to ensure that thousands of pro-western protesters don’t descend into Crimea to push back against the Crimean population’s effort to establish a new government and seek some autonomy from the new government in Kiev, which most Crimeans see as illegitimate.

Second, the forces could be paving the way for Yanukovich to travel to Crimea, where he will maintain that he is still the president of all Ukraine. In fact, Yanukovich was involved in the decision to deploy the security contractors to the airport, he said.

Read more: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/28/exclusive-russian-blackwater-takes-over-ukraine-airport.html

[cosmicone]

1. Stupid, impatient protesters are going to end up losing all n/t

[joshcryer]

3. Do you think they are going to "descend into Crimea"?

I don't know what this is about. I don't see any real efforts to those ends at all, if anything ethnic Ukrainians and Tartars in Crimea are probably more worried about their own security to try anything.

[christx30]

4. From what I understand,

The prostesters were fighting back against government efforts shut them down. They were like Occupy in that the cops were tearing their camps apart and protestors were resisted. Yanukovych-asshole then started ordering the protestors killed. The protestors fought back harder, killing and capturing security forces. Yanukovych flees Ukraine.
In short, had Yanukovych allowed the protests and actually respected democracy, he might still be in power. But being a murderous shithead removed any trace of legitimacy from his government.
If your government has no respect for your life, why should you have any respect for it?

[Joe Shlabotnik]

8. Ummm no

The protesters were nothing at all like occupy. Occupy was non partisan, and non political. They also weren't bussed in with matching uniforms, helmets and riot gear. Moreover they didn't seize police station armories, nor did they fire bomb the police with molotovs.

We're a long ways away (if ever) from determining who was responsible for firing shots. No doubt Yanoukavich is likely a crook, but so is Tymoshenko, and so is Turchynov and the new order is supported by neo-fascists, and a celebrity former boxer who mostly resides in Germany. If anything Yanukovich showed more restraint than would ever have happened here. Why not wait until the fact fully come out in an international court.

And to the point of the OP: is Russian Blackwater somehow worse than American Blackwater?

[truth2power]

11. Important question you asked: "is Russian Blackwater somehow worse than American Blackwater?"

It's ok for us to send mercenaries anywhere in the world to stir up trouble.

That's because we're exceptional and all.

[another_liberal]

13. Oh, you silly person!

Of course it's worse!

Why? Because they're Russians, that's why!

(sarcasm intended)

[MADem]

30. It's worse when it's Russian Marines, and not Russian Blackwater... nt

[davidpdx]

2. Under new management:

[IMG][/IMG]

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. Link in OP is broken (truncated) - could you fix, please?

Should be:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/02/28/exclusive-russian-blackwater-takes-over-ukraine-airport.html

[dipsydoodle]

6. Whilst that is certainly plausible

I'm surprised that they got the exclusive, denied to the international news organisations such as Reuters and AP etc, whilst saying "could" be security contractors.

Meanwhile -

The new pro-Moscow leader of Ukraine's autonomous Crimea region has asked Russian President Vladimir Putin for help to ensure peace.

A Kremlin source said it would "not leave unnoticed" the request from Sergiy Aksyonov.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26397323

[joshcryer]

7. Appears they're extropolating Dimitri Simes' quote.

[blackspade]

9. Lovely.....

As if the situation in Urkraine wasn't bad enough.

[dipsydoodle]

10. Now apparently dismissed by a Telegraph reporter on the spot.

Last edited Sat Mar 1, 2014, 09:23 AM - Edit history (1)

see Guardian live update

10.43am GMT The Telegraph’s Roland Oliphant has spoken to the mystery troops who say they are members of the Russian 810 brigade, based in Sevastopol.

Finally got some mystery camo guys to identify themselves. Russian 810 marine brigade out of Sevastopol. "We're just here to help."

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/01/crimea-crisis-deepens-as-russia-and-ukraine-ready-forces-live-updates

[another_liberal]

12. "And now for something entirely different . . ."

It would seem that more than one special operation by an armed group was afoot in Crimea last night:

Gunmen from Kiev attempted to seize Crimea's Interior Ministry overnight.

Unknown armed men from Kiev have tried to seize the Crimean Interior Ministry overnight, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It's as Crimea's PM urges Russia to help cope with the crisis, ensuring "peace and calm" in the region.

“Thanks to the decisive action of self-defense squads, the attempt to seize the building of the Interior Ministry was derailed. This attempt confirms the intention of prominent political circles in Kiev to destabilize the situation on the peninsula. We believe it is extremely irresponsible to further pressure the already tense situation in the Crimea," the ministry stated stressing its concerns over the latest developments in the region.

(snip)

Earlier, Crimea's Prime Minister Sergey Aksyonov declared that firearms have been used in the clashes in the region, Itar-Tass news agency reported. The PM said the local Ministers' Council and Supreme Court came under an attack. He said he would temporarily manage all national security forces in the region, including police, emergency services and the Interior Ministry. “All chiefs of staff should follow my orders. As for those who disagree, I ask them to leave the service,” Aksyonov said in an urgent statement to the region’s security forces.

Aksyonov said he had asked Russia’s President Vladimir Putin to “help ensure peace and calm on the territory of the autonomous region.” The request, the premier said, was due to “the understanding of the responsibility for the life and safety of the residents.”

Read more at: http://rt.com/news/russia-crimea-sieze-gunmen-344/

[okaawhatever]

17. If you believe anything you read in Putin's own news service. Especially using Itar-Tass as a

quote.

[another_liberal]

18. I don't to have an axe to grind against you . . .

I hope the feeling is mutual.

My use of "unacceptable" news sources will ultimately be judged by the outcome of events. I got blasted and slandered when I questioned our invasion of Iraq and the Israeli "Operation Cast Lead." I used Al Jazeera then, because there were practically no Western sources who had not joined a mindless, uncritical cheering section for those disasters-in-the-making. I think the vast majority of people would now agree that Al Jazeera's reporting was fact-based and accurate, even though unpopular at the time.

In this current crisis, it is equally important to have the "other side of the story." We will see how Russia Today News coverage is judged when the foolishness of our recent meddling in Ukraine comes to its full fruition.

BTW: Have you heard yet that Ukraine may be planning to "restock its nuclear arsenal?"

http://rt.com/news/ukraine-nuclear-arsenal-threat-314/

[okaawhatever]

21. While it's likely just saber rattling, it makes sense for Ukraine to want to become nuclear

again. They gave up their nukes in exchange for an agreement between the US, UK and Russia that we would respect their sovereignty and borders. Not that they have been occupied by Russia why would they not want to ensure themselves against a nuclear Russia? Russia has shown it can't be trusted. Not to mention, the United States encouraged Ukraine to give up it's nukes. If we don't back them now they'll feel incredibly vulnerable.
The majority of Ukraine people voted for EU membership. It was the pro-Russian president who abruptly stopped years of work on the agreement in favor of a deal with Russia. The idea that the situation in Ukraine is a result of our meddling is ridiculous. We have largely let Europe handle the situation there for five years. Russia has much more to lose over Ukraine than we do. Only 17% of the population is ethnic Russian. The notion that there are a majority of pro-Russian people simply isn't true. The entire separation has much more to do with government interference on either side than the will of the individual Ukrainians.
For once the interest of the United States is closely aligned with what most consider the best for Ukraine. For Ukraine to be a strong and independent country that serves as a buffer between Europe and Russia. It's a rare situation where we benefit more from having them stand on their own than we do from any dependency on us. Russia doesn't want NATO on their doorstep and NATO countries don't want Russia on theirs. If Ukraine becomes too dependent on one group all it does is move the borders. The ultimate situation was for Ukraine to have trading partnerships with both and have a strong democratic government. Until Ukraine becomes independent of Russia's gas that will never happen.
I read many, many sources on this. Some scholarly articles but also papers from Turkey, Ukraine, Germany, Finland, UK, Poland, Canada Israel and Australia. I know that each source is unique in their coverage, but to assume RT is accurate is a very generous assumption. I looked up the Reporters Without Borders reports when the Ukraine situation came up because I wanted accurate info from countries in the region. Russia is near the bottom at 148 out of 179 (Belarus is horrible too, Turkey and Israel were low on the list). I also looked up rankings for think-tanks to get the best info I could. I'm very serious about having good information, no matter how it paints the US or Russia. I spent even more time reading info from before the protests started so it wouldn't be tainted by the current events. One thing that has surprised me is the level of propaganda that has come out since this started. There is even coordination in the comment section of media sources. A whole bunch of people don't all decide to say nearly the same thing, ya know? I am very sensitive to the propaganda push on this because it appears that the people of Ukraine aren't nearly as divided as the media is making them out to be. I think they've been used as pawns by the PTB and I hope they'll see through that and reunite.

[another_liberal]

23. Really? Ready to throw those dice are you?

I can't imagine our government will think that is a good idea, let alone nations of the European Union!

Considering the bellicosity already shown by the so-called "Interim Government" in Kiev, I'm afraid that if they follow through and arm themselves with nukes, we might as well follow that old advice:

1. Bend over forward.

2. Put your head between your legs.

3. Kiss your butt goodbye.

[okaawhatever]

26. No, of course I don't think it's a good idea. But I understand that there's going to be a lot of

talk and a lot of compromise. Ukraine is going to use every power lever they have in this situation, as is Russia.


Oversimplification of posturing:

Russia "If you don't do what we say we're going to cut off your gas and heat"
Ukraine "Yeah, well if you don't do what we say we'll get nukes"
Russia "You can't get nukes, you signed an agreement you punk ass"
Ukraine "Yeah, well so did you and you violated it bitches"
Russia "Okay, we'll stop cutting of the gas if you don't get nukes."
Ukraine "Okay, we won't get nukes if you stop sending us shirtless selfies"

I'm sure at some point a member of the government, probably lower level and elected, will bring up the topic. Russia will use it to talk trash about Ukraine, Ukraine will act victimized and do the "what did you expect" routine. The voters will like their elected official even more. Actual nukes will not enter the picture.

[another_liberal]

28. OK, that is funny.

I did need a laugh today.

Let's hope a little humor is also not missing in the councils of power.

[okaawhatever]

22. I forgot to link to the two sources:

For the nuke agreement in 1994:

http://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/09/world/us-and-ukraine-cooperate-to-destroy-nuclear-arsenal.html

For Reporters without Borders Annual Report

http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2013,1054.html

[another_liberal]

24. We should insist that Kiev not rearm with nukes.

Any other course of action would be taking a horrible risk with the lives of, literally, hundreds of millions of completely innocent people.

[okaawhatever]

27. Agreed, and I don't think there's a serious chance of it. The threat of bringing nukes into the

country is leverage for gain in another area. Actually having them is an unnecessary burden that wouldn't benefit anyone.

[another_liberal]

29. That is how I see it too.

May calm wisdom prevail and violence take a back seat in this potentially dangerous situation.

[Nanjing to Seoul]

14. I smell a civil war. Putin must be proud.

[another_liberal]

19. You think President Putin . . .

Let me get this right, you think President Putin was the one who encouraged and supported the brick-throwers and Molotov cocktail hurlers in Maidan Square?

If so, you show a real genius for historical revisionism.

[7962]

15. Putin will continue to try to reinvent the Soviet Union because he knows no one will stop him.

He knows all he'll get from the US is "strongly worded statements". The UN has always been powerless without the US pushing it. The EU was too scared to do anything in the Balkans; Clinton had to step in to stop the massacres. The only pushback they'll get is if China feels threatened. Sad but true.
Ever since idiot Bush said he could see Putins soul or whatever nonsense that was, he's known he could get away with anything. Obama has been no better unfortunately. And while they & China continue to increase their military, we tell the world we're cutting ours.

[Adrahil]

16. I call Bullshit.

They're in Russian military vehicles, using Russian uniforms, and Russian small arms. The only difference is they aren't wearing insignia.

These are Russian troops.

[another_liberal]

20. I have to agree with you on that point . . .

However, Russia does have a treaty with Ukraine which allows them to keep an unspecified number of troops on Ukrainian territory. It does not expire until 2024.

[Crowman1979]

25. I have a feeling that Russia will wind up like we did in Iraq.

Their will be plenty of roadside bombs for Russian soldiers as well. Count on it.

[blkmusclmachine]

31. ,

,