Russia cruiser to test weapons in crowded Black Sea

[inanna]

Source: Reuters

Russia's flagship cruiser has re-entered the Black Sea for weapons tests hours after the Russian military complained about the presence of US and other Nato naval ships near the Georgian coast.

The 'Moskva' had led a battle group of Russian naval vessels stationed off the coastline of Georgia's breakaway region of Abkhazia during Russia's recent conflict with Georgia and sank smaller Georgian craft.

The assistant to the Russian Navy's commander-in-chief told Russian news agencies the cruiser had put to sea again two days after returning to its base at the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol.

"'Moskva' has today departed toward the Black Sea Fleet's naval training range to check its radio-controlled weapons and onboard communications systems," Captain Igor Dygalo was quoted as saying by Interfax.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSLP44212620080825

---

Edited to link to original Reuters story.

[seemslikeadream]

1. Thanks georgie

[texastoast]

2. I hope they don't hit the EXXON VALDEZ

I mean MEDITERRANEAN. It's a single-hull in the Black Sea now, if it is still there.

[HopeHoops]

6. Yeah how about that.

They had the ship dry-docked for repairs and didn't want to spend the money to double-hull retrofit it. Hey, that couple of million would show up as at least a third decimal place in their profit report. I'm glad at least SOMEBODY else knows about the Mediterranean's real identity!

[Purveyor]

3. ALSO: Russian Military Concerned By Larger NATO Presence In Black Sea

6:33 | 25/ 08/ 2008

MOSCOW, August 25 (RIA Novosti) - Russia has to be concerned that NATO is continuing to get a stronger foothold in the Black Sea, the deputy chief of General Staff said Monday.

"NATO's naval deployments in the Black Sea, where nine foreign vessels have already been sent, cannot but provoke concern," Col. Gen. Anatoly Nogovitsyn said.

According to a Russian military intelligence source, the NATO warships that have entered the Black Sea carry over 100 Tomahawk cruise missiles and Harpoon anti-ship missiles between them.

NATO has so far deployed the USS McFaul and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Dallas, the Polish frigate General Pulaski, the German frigate FGS Lubeck, and the Spanish navy ship Admiral Juan de Borbon.

"NATO is actually deploying a surface strike group in the Black Sea," the unidentified source said Monday.

MORE...

RIA NOVOSTI: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20080825/116264908.html

[One_Life_To_Give]

25. CGC Dallas??

The NAVY isn't bringing her along because they need her single 76mm Cannon.

More like a Pirate/Drug/Contraband interdiction group.

[ohio2007]

4. Moskva planning a port call in Ukraine ?

Wasn't the Ukrain "the breadbasket of the Soviet Union" ?

http://flot.sevastopol.info/eng/ship/cruisers/slava.htm

[KeepItReal]

5. With all these "Soviet Experts" like Condi in the WH, how did we end up getting punked by Moscow?

:mad:

"Sometimes money...trumps peace." - George W. Bush

[leftchick]

7. oh my

I think it is time the USA leaves Russia's neighborhood. wtf would americans think if we saw this around Cuba???

[Pavulon]

9. They used to sail there all the time.

I expect they will be back soon. However they should be careful testing weapons, they could have another Kursk event.

[leftchick]

15. I know they were

and apparently this administration wants them back.

[ohio2007]

19. Russia to send naval fleet to Venezuela

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3442937&mesg_id=3442937
This will teach the US from entering Caribbean waters !
:bounce:


BUt in the meantime, it will be interesting to see how the Russians get their ships back into Ukrainian ports.How many days supplies did they put to sea with leaving Ukraine ?

Maybe three weeks ?
Maybe two months ?
Intimidation along the Moldovan border in october if the ships are still stuck out at sea ?








http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Transnistria

Ukraine may be feeling encircled, just like the Russians claim they are as the Russians are dealing with two US warships,one German,Spanish and Polish warship each not to mention four Turkish ships.

Seems like a scheduled excersize with that many ships in one land locked sea.


http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=5fc_1219704931

[amandabeech]

21. Yes, this is a long-planned NATO exercise.

There are three NATO countries with Black Sea beaches: Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey. The first two are relatively new to the alliance, and Turkey is a long time member.

I seem to recall that there have been NATO exercises in the Black Sea from time to time.

Obviously, everyone is a little nervous. This is not a great time to be conducting live fire drills, IMHO. The Russians have made their point in Georgia. I'm not sure if all the additional threats have helped their cause or whether those threats have forced defensive escalation on those threatened, which I don't think is in the best long-term interests of Moscow.

[Strelnikov_]

20. ..

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. Allow me to translate the Russian:

"We are testing the codes and equipment that we took from the 5 US Hummers we liberated in Georgia, to see if we can intercept and/or manipulate thecoded information used by American forces in Iraq.
Also it would be way cool if we can disrupt or even shut down the American satellites with the newly discovered code programs."

[antisoros]

18. Coverup Of Bush Complicity In Georgian War Crimes

Georgian Coverup after denial proved impossible. This is for the Euros; the US media shows nothing but beleaguered Georgian; they never ask these victims of the Bush-McCain war crimes who they blame for their misery. Or if they do, they make sure they are a Saakashvili stooge. The Georgians are trying to fabricate an alleged shelling of the Georgian village of Tamarasheni as a cause for the Midnight-Massacre. BS. Russian peacekeepers were lightly armed. They had small artillery, but nothing that could do damage to a village.:
http://www.iwpr.net/?p=crs&s=f&o=346346&apc_state=henh

See this Machiavellian comment from a Neocon website, used by US intel agents:

...The Georgian incursion gave the US political cover to make an ABM deal with Poland, get access to Ukranian radar intelligence, and maybe get enhanced facilities inside the Black Sea. Since the Black Sea opens onto the Med, but it doesn’t link to Russian Northern, Pacific or Baltic Fleets NATO has the ability to surge vessels into it in a way that can’t be matched by the Russians. Of course, the Russians could use anti-ship airpower, but that would set off Armaggedon.

What I’d fear most from the Russian point of view is a request by Georgia to “demiltarize” ports it legally owns except for one or two under NATO control. Under International Law, the Western ports remain Georgian. Over time, the Georgians can diplomatically ensure that the Russian Army cannot be resupplied by sea. If the Russians send their convoys, the ports can be mined before their arrival by air with Georgian permission. This means the Georgians, via NATO can have command of the sea while the Russian Army must supply itself overland. That’s fine for now, with the weather good. But in the winter, things will be different, especially if they face a Georgian insurgency. And if the roads are closed or mined by Georgian guerillas, then logistically supplying the Russian occupation Army becomes harder yet.

So I don’t see a confrontation with Russia, rather a slow strangulation of its forces should they decide to stay. If they pull back into Russia, or even into Abkhazia or South Ossetia, I don’t see that NATO forces will do anything to discomfit them. As I said, Putin should cash in now, while the gettin’s good.
--------------------------------

US troops were in Georgia, training for artillery attacks on July 15. I believe those same US troops assisted Georgians in the Midnight-Massacre. Russian websites have videos of US advisors in Georgia, handling weaponry that is supposed to get into Russian hands. In fact, Russian peace keepers captured the barracks where US troops lived, and took intelligence and sensitive technology. Big Media won't report this loss of intelligence, because they support McCain for President.
http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message584245/pg1

Above "godlikeproductions" link has been halted because they detected spam. Anyway its on google cache; I have it saved and could put it on P2P file share account.
http://209.85.173.104/search?q=cache:hpEpkqRQDhUJ:www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message584245/pg1+http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message584245/pg1&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ca

Russian media report that McCain-Bush-Saakashvili had named their ethnic cleansing scheme, "Operation Clean Fields."

[Turbineguy]

10. Chimpy's got it figured out:

If Russia and the US get into a war, there won't be a history to judge him badly.

Also millions of Americans will not have to face the prospect of outliving their retirements. And the hedgefund managers who took the retirements did it for nothing. LAUGH ON YOU!

[phantom power]

11. Great. What could go wrong?

:eyes:

[IndianaGreen]

12. How would we feel if the Russian fleet was doing this in the Gulf of Mexico?

It is America that has engaged in imperialist provocations and encouraging neocon military adventurism by the Georgia leadership.

As Kosovo goes, so does South Ossetia and Abkhezia.

[antisoros]

14. Do You Want McCain To Win?

To the handful of us who are actually testing McCain for character, he has shown the depth of his depravity in the Caucasus Crisis. Yet there is general refusal to subject the candidate to scrutiny. Bush is a serial and pathological liar and McCain has signalled that he is going to take the world on the same perverse course. Although Obama was correct to favor withdrawl of Russian troops from Georgia, that has to be done in a regional manner involving all parties. That is what we can expect and receive from the most honorable man to seek the presidential office in years. NATO dictate is not the solution. Further, Obama will not want to tie America to Georgia's ethnic cleansers. Saakashvili is despised by - I believe - 95% of Georgians, for both his Neocon economics and his willingness to turn Georgia into a McCain aircraft carrier. Big Media reported Condi Rice's meeting with Saakashvili in front of a cheering audience. In fact, the Georgian tyrant controlled crowd entry and only 15,000 of his new Appartchuk oligarchy was invited. The Anti-Soros Group could put 300,000 on the streets of Tblisi, if the tyrant didn't put down their protests with extreme violence and murder. Massacre-Denial is let stand, during an election?

Is the Bush puppet afraid of his own people? Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPieG4SMBMc

State Dept - nominal independent bureaucrats - spare Condi relief from her denial of the Midnight-Massacre of Tskhinvali civilians:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9klbmGtiYg0

Condi Rice denies Armenian Genocide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhF-y6k3AI8

Bush proven liar on Iraq:
http://www.opednews.com/articles/White-Paper-Justifying-Ira-by-Michael-Collins-080825-667.html

US troops were in Georgia, training for artillery attacks on July 15.
http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum1/message584245/pg1

Georgian Tyrant: McCain speaks to me several times a day. Top aide a Saakashvili fiduciary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj-Qdk2UvoM

Saakashvili blames Russians for destruction caused by his murderous artillery barrage. Lies to pretend his statement corroborated.
http://www.new.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1019825981431&oid=22347223862

Georgian Strong Man proven mass murderer:
http://www.alertnet.org/thefacts/satelliteimages/UNOSAT/324545345fcd9edf949c6655c8d0d2db.htm

McCain makes money off Georgian belligerence:
http://www.truthout.org/article/georgia-war-a-neocon-election-ploy%20

McCain: I am President:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7X0xEv_xJss&feature=related

1. Did McCain advise the Georgian president, M Saakashvili, that the US would back up his country in the event of a Russian invasion, notwithstanding specifity and legality of cause, and did he have access to secure data (protected under USC 50.15) and base both his current counsel and promises should he win the presidential election, on secure data?

2. Did McCain discuss secure data with any aide or advisor, who owed fiduciary obligations to the government of Georgia, and if so who passed same to the Senator, and under what circumstances and authority?

3. Did US advisors accompany Georgian tank crews when they invaded the autonomous zone of South Ossetia, notwithstanding agreements to resolve disputes peacefully and to respect the role of lawful Peacekeepers?

4. Was military technology, restricted from sale to Russia, used by front line Georgian troops, and was any of same abandoned to the Russians when Georgians cast off equipment, weapons, uniforms and flags?

5. Were US military satellites focused on the South Ossetian city of Tskhinvali, on the morning of August 8, 2008, to assess damage from the artillery barrage that commenced shortly after midnight, and culminated with a tank assault?

6. Did US advisors advise Saakashvili to order a night attack, when satellite evidence would not be attainable?

7. Has any US government official either gathered evidence of personal effects on victims of the Saakashvili-Barrage and, if not, should the American public treat that negligence as foundation for belief that a coverup is in gear?

8. After Russian troops entered Georgia, why did the US President recommended - with the compliance of McCain - a status quo withdrawl - with half of Tshkinvali's population in Russian refugee camps?

9. Why was Condi Rice sent to Georgia to support Saakashvili, while unresolved war crime accusations of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and intentional and indiscriminate targeting of civilians, were live issues?

10. In context of the President's inhumane status quo pullout demands of the Russian Federation and his accusations - echoed by McCain - that Russians had imperial intentions in entering Georgia, was the decision to send Condi Rice into an alleged "hot-zone," based on an attempt to obstruct justice in face of Russian investigative efforts as to the cause of the war crimes inflicted on the people of South Ossetia?

11. In light of the IJC's definition of "command responsibility" - ability and authority to prevent and punish war crimes - does President Bush - in league with McCain - bear same, in reference to Georgian opposition parties and groups - Justice Party; Anti-Soros Group - that have been jailed, beaten and denied the right to peaceful protest, because they assert that Saakashvili is a foreign managed "puppet" and his government is a "stooge" of the Bush-McCain regime?

12. In light of Bush's affirmation of self-exhoneratory regulation, regarding substantiated reports that captive Taliban prisoners - under the control of the CIA - were either murdered by Northern Alliance soldiers in truck containers or left to die, is there draft regulation, under Presidential authority, that abridges any other authority that might seek to bring Bush and accessories to justice, for violation of USC 50?

13. Would McCain enable full disclosure of Secret Service witnesses to conversations between himself and Saakashvili and his aides and their Georgian counterparts, in formal disposition executed by Congressional examiners?

14. Would McCain enable full disclosure of the phone records of himself and his advisors, with special notice to phone calls between the above and Georgian counterparts, including Saakashvili, with disclosure including content of same?

[AlphaCentauri]

23. I imagine how the average Joe six pack would feel

[lovuian]

13. Putin is really ticked off and wants Bush to back off

not good not good

[antisoros]

17. Three War Criminals

Bush and McCain are gangsters; they are war criminals of the worst sort. McCain has his dirty hands all over Georgia's aggression.

http://books.scoop.co.nz/the-prosecutor-and-the-president/

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0808/S00322.htm

Senator Obama has never volunteered Georgian Strong Man - Saakashvili - for sainthood; he called him once to say that he opposed the status quo, with Russians occupying parts of Georgia. However, Obama needs to know one thing - at least - about the Georgian tyrant: as Justice Minister in the Shevardnadze government, it was HE who was in charge of the coverup of the murder of the prior president, Gamsakhurdia. However, after the "Rose Revolution" of 2003 - bought and paid for by billionaire George Soros - Saakashvili rehabilitated Gamsakhurdia, and had him removed from his Chechen grave and placed into the tomb of the Pantheon of Georgian Heroes, with Stalin. Gamsakhurdia went into office on a "Georgia for the Georgians" slogan, but when his ethnic cleansing policies met protest, civil war ensued. Prior to same, he recognized the Chechen Republic, notwithstanding its Islamist government, and passed aid - much from Saudi Arabia - to the terrorists. Unfortunately, a Neocon US Congress nominated Gamsakhurdia for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Saakashvili support

2004 - 80%

2008 (January) - 52.8% (in a rigged election)

Now - 5% (and these would be mostly his Storm Trooper class; he is despised by the 30% of Georgians who speak languages other than Georgian and all victims of the Neocon misery imposed on Georgia by the Bush White House)

[amandabeech]

22. You call Bush and McCain "gangsters."

I thought that the generally accepted translation to English used the word, "bandit."

You might want to check with your superiors on that translation point.

[whistle]

16. Good lord, just like Sarajevo Serbia, June 28, 1914...which was the spark

...that triggered the Great War (a.k.a. WW-I from July 1914 until November 1918) and brought all of the Great Powers of Europe into the deadliest war in history up to that time. This kind of belligerence and preparations on such a scale has always meant war.

[judasdisney]

24. Quite like the Cuban Missle Crisis in reverse, if you ask me

and Russia has every right to be pissed-off about U.S. "missle defense" on their border.

[pampango]

26. That "missile defense" is useless against a Russian attack and everyone knows it.

Russia can overwhelm our own defenses, so it is no great surprise that a few defensive missiles in Poland aren't going to do much against a Russian attack. It probably won't work in any case, but its only hope of being useful is against an attack of very few missiles probably from a small country with only a few missiles to launch.

Poland was dithering about whether to allow the missile base, until Russia invaded Georgia. That military action seemed to shake Poland (and some of Russia's other neighbors) up. They could have decided to stop negotiations on the missiles and kept them out, in an effort to keep Russia happy. They chose the opposite strategy of moving closer to the US/Nato in the hope that they will provide an effective defense against Russia.

Were they smart to make that choice? Maybe, maybe not, but as an independent country they have the right to make the choice (as do Cuba and Venezuela in our hemisphere) to pursue an independent policy and not kowtow to the big country in the neighborhood.