Maskirovka primer

[Uberhaus]

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31020283

Wasn't sure whether to put this in military history or current events as the article discusses historical examples and goes on to talk about the deceptions in Crimea and the Ukraine.

From the article:

Surprise Kamufliazh (camouflage) - such as the white uniforms worn by Russian troops in snow during their invasion of Finland in World War II Demonstrativnye manevry - manoeuvres intended to deceive Skrytie - concealment Imitatsia - the use of decoys and military dummies Dezinformatsia - disinformation, a knowing attempt to deceive

[LongBlade]

"It was clear the military skill of Soviet leaders outclassed the Germans," Vladimirov says. "Our generals decided not to go the easy way along the road but through the swamps! That way they attacked the rear of the German forces. That's mastery for you! All throughout Bagration, there were colossal examples of maskirovka involving thousands of tanks and troops. After that the war was practically over."

OK, it took the Soviets three years to recover from Stalin's purges.

Barreling through a swamp sounds more like bull-headedness than Sun Tzu-esque brilliance, but whatevz.

[LongBlade]

"All the while at other border crossing points controlled by the Russians - not by the Ukrainians - equipment, personnel and troops were passing into Eastern Ukraine," says Davis. He sees the convoy as a clever "diversion or distraction".

The fog of war isn't something which just happens - it's something which can be manufactured. In this case the Western media were bamboozled, but the compliant Russian media has also worked hard to generate fog.

The media wasn't bamboozled. The administration overlooked what was going on and the media - ever reluctant to criticize him - followed suit.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

I'm  with  LB, everyone sees  what is going on, they just choose to pretend it is something  less sinister so that they can temporarily  give  Russia the benefit of the doubt.  It is simply  about  trying to avoid  a war.

Russia  is the fool if they think the chickens will not come home to roost. The cold war II has already started, everyone  is just being quiet about it.

[pawelj]

I'm  with  LB, everyone sees  what is going on, they just choose to pretend it is something  less sinister so that they can temporarily  give  Russia the benefit of the doubt.  It is simply  about  trying to avoid  a war.

Russia  is the fool if they think the chickens will not come home to roost. The cold war II has already started, everyone  is just being quiet about it.

Exactly!.

[mirth]

Comparing Russian deception tactics on the East Front in WWII to what  Putin is doing today is ludicrous. The Russians became masters at military maskirovka in the Second World War.

Modern Russian political maskirovka is pathetically transparent. One has to think it is meant mainly for an internal Russian audience.

[Nefaro]

Modern Russian political maskirovka is pathetically transparent. One has to think it is met mainly for an internal Russian audience.

This.

Their political deceptions are a joke.  Obviously meant to give their own people alternate stories to believe.

[Boggit]

Modern Russian political maskirovka is pathetically transparent. One has to think it is met mainly for an internal Russian audience.

This.

Their political deceptions are a joke.  Obviously meant to give their own people alternate stories to believe.

I have to agree with both of you. I was talking to a Russian the other week about the Ukraine, and she was quite pro-Putin saying he was the strong leader that Russians respect, Gorbachev was a traitor etc... While it may be an issue for Russian imperialist pride it is also a very dangerous game for them. They have a population of some 143 million people, the Ukraine has around 44m, if you take into account the rest of the EU, most of which are in NATO, plus the US and Canada the resources available to conduct war dwarf Russia. Any local Russian advantage at the outset of war will eventually be overwhelmed. Far better for Putin to back off now before things get out of hand. The one big question is the use of nuclear weapons, which is the great leveller, but if they get used the big question is whether any of this is worth it for either side?

[MetalDog]

The one big question is the use of nuclear weapons, which is the great leveller, but if they get used the big question is whether any of this is worth it for either side?

The answer, all through the Cold War was, no, it's not.  And I think that will remain the answer.  Unfortunately, not every person/nation/philosophy that has direct access to "the button," can be counted on to always see it that way.  And THAT'S what scares me!

[Boggit]

The one big question is the use of nuclear weapons, which is the great leveller, but if they get used the big question is whether any of this is worth it for either side?

The answer, all through the Cold War was, no, it's not.  And I think that will remain the answer.  Unfortunately, not every person/nation/philosophy that has direct access to "the button," can be counted on to always see it that way.  And THAT'S what scares me!

Me too!