New: Russian troops storm Ukrainian bases in Crimea - Polidicks

[QUOTE=The golden;44322296]I'm shocked at the restraint the Ukrainian military is showing. Even under orders to defend themselves they are still holding fire even when their bases are raided.[/QUOTE] If Ukrainian troops fire, Russians will completely destroy them and probably use that as an excuse to invade the rest of Ukraine.

[QUOTE]MOSCOW, March 21 (RIA Novosti) – A total of 72 military units in Crimea have hoisted Russian flags instead of Ukrainian and applied to join the Russian armed forces, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday. "Yesterday, 72 military units almost in full strength decided to join the Russian armed forces. We are now dealing with service and citizenship issues of officers and soldiers from these units,” he said. Shoigu said that every serviceman can choose from three options: continue his service in the Russian armed forces, end his service and stay in Crimea or leave the region. Those willing to continue their service in the Ukrainian army will be provided with transport to carry their families and belongings to the Ukrainian territory. Leaders in the predominantly Russian-ethnic republic refused to recognize the legitimacy of the government in Kiev that came to power amid often violent protests last month, instead seeking reunification with Russia.[/QUOTE] [url]http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20140321/188640257/72-Crimean-Military-Units-Request-Joining-Russia.html[/url]

It's an interesting choice they have to make. Frankly, Ukraine is a broke, corrupt country on the brink of fiscal collapse, and they may be better off from a basic quality-of-life standpoint staying in Russian territory and collecting Russian military paychecks. I would imagine that has something to do with why nobody in Crimea has put up much of a fight. Beyond the ethnic and language reasons, a lot of people in Crimea probably think Putin's government will simply do a better job running the damn country.

[QUOTE=laserguided;44322347][url]http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20140321/188640257/72-Crimean-Military-Units-Request-Joining-Russia.html[/url][/QUOTE] I'd take that source with a very large grain of salt.

[QUOTE=Apache249;44322661]I'd take that source with a very large grain of salt.[/QUOTE] It is a pretty good source tbh, there is very little or no bias. They have remained somewhat independent to do what they want.

[QUOTE=Xystus234;44321997]Better thread music: [video=youtube;FG-3LeJvfzU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG-3LeJvfzU[/video][/QUOTE] Hell no. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lur-SGl3uw8[/media]

[QUOTE=laserguided;44322679]It is a pretty good source tbh, there is very little or no bias. They have remained somewhat independent to do what they want.[/QUOTE]RIA Novosti as an organisation doesn't exist anymore. Putin issued a decree less than a year ago putting RIA Novosti into [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rossiya_Segodnya"]this company[/URL] under new management, namely [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitry_Kiselyov"]this bloke.[/URL] It's going to get a lot worse as a news source relatively soon. Which is a deep shame, because imo it was a pretty good source of news. [editline]22nd March 2014[/editline] Heh, RIA itself posted an article about the move, suggesting it was because Putin wanted a tighter grip over domestic news. The cheeky buggers :v: [url]http://en.ria.ru/russia/20131209/185390572/Russia-Announces-State-Owned-Media-Overhaul.html[/url]

[quote]A total of 72 military units in Crimea have hoisted Russian flags instead of Ukrainian and applied to join the Russian armed forces.[/quote] It'd be a real shame if Russia did end up invading and pitting these Ukrainians against the Ukrainians. Also these people can never return to Ukraine. If Crimea was ever given back (it won't be), they'd have to move to Russia. They're traitors now.

Russia might as well declare war on Ukraine.

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;44325283]It'd be a real shame if Russia did end up invading and pitting these Ukrainians against the Ukrainians. Also these people can never return to Ukraine. If Crimea was ever given back (it won't be), they'd have to move to Russia. They're traitors now.[/QUOTE] Not like they wouldn't deserve that fate.

Anyone know how many military bases and ships are still under Ukrainian control?

[QUOTE=Reshy;44325885]Not like they wouldn't deserve that fate.[/QUOTE] They deserve to die fighting a country they previously served, because that country refused to give them orders and instead forced them to either choose to surrender or die (and most likely start a war)? Those soldiers weren't given orders/choices from Kiev, who Should have ordered that they retreat. They don't deserve death, and I don't think it's right to label them as traitors, either. If you let another superior armies forces confront your forces and refuse to give them orders, it's your fault that they're defecting. They haven't been ordered to fight (I'm pretty sure they were ordered to not open fire?), so the best option is flight.