Ex-Ukrainian troops, raise ships flags and stay in Russian Crimea

 I had to edit the title. Made it more accurate. 
Pretty sure these persons have all applied for Russian citizenship also


Article from Bloomberg: 
Lots of spin. As usual. But, some interesting information can be found
Of course the writers are implying that Russia had to be coerced into agreeing to monitors in the Ukraine
If I recall correctly, Putin suggested the OSCE monitors be put in Ukraine to get a look at what was ongoing with the goon squads and their targeting of all sorts of persons.

Here is an article from 6 days ago, where it is reported Putin welcomed the OSCE monitors going to east Ukraine.

 Putin welcomed the German chancellor's proposal to swiftly expand the existing OSCE presence in Ukraine, especially in East Ukraine.

Eastern Ukraine likely needs some sort of monitoring. Though I don't know how appropriate the OSCE?

Back to Bloomberg-

 Fewer than 2,000 of the more than 18,000 Ukrainian troops in Crimea have said they want to leave, Russian state-run news service RIA Novosti reported, citing the Russian Defense Ministry. Russian flags have been raised over 54 of 67 Ukrainian ships and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered his forces to allow the orderly exit of Ukrainian troops, RIA said.

 So, 16,000 "Ukrainian" troops are staying put!  In Russian, Crimea. An unsurprising number. Given the vote in Crimea? Many of them obviously voted to become part of Russia. Given the long history? Many of them likely being ethnic Russians. This large of a number choosing to stay is not a surprise

Russian flags raised on 54 of the 67 ships? Quite willingly, I imagine. 

And all this despite the fact these soldiers are free to go?


Some interesting maps too

Predominant nationality by province, 2001 national census

2010 Ukrainian presidential election results, by province

Looks like many Ukrainian nationals didn't vote for the gas princess- Tymoshenko
But then she was a corrupt as her cohort and predecessor from the orange revolution Victor Yuschenko

Yanukovych supporters rallied in the eastern city of Donetsk today, urging the Kremlin-backed leader’s return and a referendum to give Ukraine’s regions wider power. More than 2,000 people gathered in the city of more than 1 million, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Russian border, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news service.
“I’m for an integrated Ukraine, but with a federal form of governance,” said Mykola, 58, a retired mining engineer, who declined to give his last name for fear of reprisal. “The East and West of Ukraine for sure should have a common defense, common science, common culture, but most of the region’s revenues should be kept within this region.”

Does that sound at all familiar? It should, if you read this post?  A federated Ukraine as proposed previously by Russia?

One more item! left by kamnam. Thanks kamnam

The new Cold War "shield"

Give it a read and if anything jumps into your head.... tell us about it?
I have mentioned more then once, here and elsewhere, that we are coming up on the 100th year anniversary of the 1st world war and history does have an annoying way of repeating