Crimean Authorities to Cut Power, Water to Ukrainian Troops: Russian Ex-Lawmaker.

[elleng]

Source: nyt/reuters

Pro-Russian authorities in Crimea will cut off water and electricity to Ukrainian soldiers in bases surrounded by Russian forces on Monday night, a Russian former lawmaker loyal to President Vladimir Putin said.

Sergei Markov, who held meetings with pro-Russian authorities on the Ukrainian peninsula earlier on Monday, told reporters the soldiers would also be told they would not receive their next pay packet if they did not publicly renounce their loyalty to the new provisional government in Kiev, the capital.

"If they stay here and remain loyal to Kiev and the Ukrainian government, it will become more uncomfortable for them," said Markov, who sits in a Kremlin-backed public policy chamber. "The pressure is going to increase tonight."

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2014/03/03/world/europe/03reuters-ukraine-crisis-crimea-power.html?hp

[Alex_]

1. Ironically

the only way that Crimea is getting electricity and water right now is from mainland Ukraine, Kyiv government may retaliate in kind and switch it off for the entire region in return

[rdharma]

2. Huh?

All electricity and water comes from mainland Ukraine? I don't think so.

[George II]

4. Why not? Crimea is part of Ukraine.

[rdharma]

8. Because that is not the way power grids and water supply systems operate. nt

[amandabeech]

3. That would certainly be interesting.

However, it might give Putin a little more propaganda subjects than he already has.

And it might send Russian troops into the Ukrainian mainland.

[rdharma]

10. It would be interesting...... because it's impossible! nt

[Xolodno]

5. And Russia could then shut its supplies to Ukraine....

...and then turn them on again if they decide to walk into eastern Ukraine....and yes I mean walk in. They took Crimea without firing a shot and they could take eastern Ukraine the same way.

But the reality is this...Russia walked away from the Georgian war with its head held up high...because...just like one of my tee shirts say "Han Shot First"...and Georgia shot first. If Ukraine shoots first...the world is going justify Putin's actions. Its a game of chicken right now...

[davidpdx]

17. Good points

The lack of strength militarily on the part of the Ukraine and the chaos that is going on make for a bad combination.

[DocMac]

6. That sounds like something

Chris Christie would do.

[Renew Deal]

9. lol

[Hayabusa]

7. Now it really is a siege...

[tomm2thumbs]

11. sounds like the Battle of the Alamo, unfolded exactly at this time - ended March 6

178 years ago

[levp]

12. "Defend to the last sailor"

"At the general meeting, we decided to defend to the last sailor, barricaded themselves on the base and are now waiting for the assault," - said the commander of the Feodosia Marine battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Delyatitsky.
UNIAN (text in Russian, use Google Translate)

[tomm2thumbs]

13. from letter exhibit last year

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World:

Fellow citizens & compatriots—I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna—I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken—I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch—The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death.

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. comdt

[levp]

14. Damn.

Here's to hope that the outcome in Ukraine will be different...

[tomm2thumbs]

15. yes, although as a turning point, it led to a final victory at the Battle of San Jaciento

where the rallying cry was 'Remember the Alamo'....

hence the famous phrase...

[KeepItReal]

16. Only if you mean the Texans were surrounded by their American cousins

Ukrainian troops surrounded by invading Russian troops, irregulars and sympathizers on Ukrainian soil (which Crimea is) ain't the Alamo.

[Bosonic]

18. Markov chain reaction

Russia fears Crimea water shortage as supply drops

Russian officials say a water shortage in Crimea is threatening to become acute as Ukraine has reduced the supply via a key canal.

Ukraine does not recognise the new authorities in Crimea who are backed by Moscow. Russia made the peninsula part of its territory last month.

Crimea's harvest of grapes, rice, maize and soya will be ruined if it does not get more water soon, officials say.

Russia says the Crimea-Ukraine border is now officially a state border.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-27155885