News from Ukraine Conflict

[endfire79]

This sounds like just another day over there, not really surprised.

[Zulu1966]

Even though the killing will make Putin look bad, him being the obvious suspect, he may have felt he had no choice if this Nemtsov guy actually had the evidence he said he did of Russia's direct role in the Ukraine conflict and was ready to release it very soon.

It also may have been a faction within Putin's regime who had more to lose than just irritating him, or even a criminal element that was itself directly involved with supplying the conflict's rebel side, with unofficial Putin sanction. I'm willing to bet that in the Russia the 'roles' of the Russian Mob, the secret police, the big business sector, and of high gov't officials have overlapped so much that Russia is effectively a Mafia caliphate.

That s probably the most succinct and accurate description of modern day Russia I seen to date.

[LongBlade]

I'm willing to bet that in the Russia the 'roles' of the Russian Mob, the secret police, the big business sector, and of high gov't officials have overlapped so much that Russia is effectively a Mafia caliphate.

I believe the formal term is "kleptocracy."  ;)

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/01/wikileaks-cables-russia-mafia-kleptocracy

[LongBlade]

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/01/wikileaks-cables-russia-mafia-kleptocracy

From the article:

He made clear he was not amused by a US diplomat's description of him as "Batman" and President Dmitry Medvedev as "Robin". "To be honest with you, we did not suspect that this [criticism] could be made with such arrogance, with such rudeness, and you know, so unethically," Putin remarked.

Batman and Robin are heroes - Putin is not worthy of that moniker.

[GDS_Starfury]

hes more of an aquaman because hes so fishy!

[LongBlade]

hes more of an aquaman because hes so fishy!

[Gusington]

"Mafia Caliphate" I like that one.

[Staggerwing]

Gives it that strong odor of rabid nationalism/personality cult which sets Russia apart from run-of-the-mill criminal syndicate states like Mexico.

[Nefaro]

Ah, yes. History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme. Night of Long Knives, anyone?

A top political nemesis of President Vladimir Putin was shot and killed early Saturday in central Moscow, Russian police said, one day before an opposition rally was scheduled to take place.

Boris Nemtsov, 55, a former deputy prime minister, was shot four times from a passing car as he was walking on a bridge just outside the Kremlin. The Kremlin said that Putin will personally oversee the investigation into his death.

The shooting potentially could create a political crisis in Russia, regardless of the motive or who was behind the shooting.

source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/02/27/boris-nemtsov-leading-putin-critic-shot-and-killed-in-moscow/

Yes indeed. That's been happening over there for awhile now, just spread out over a longer period of time.  Getting even bolder, shooting the guy near the Kremlin the day before a protest.

Here's a fairly lengthy AP article on it from yesterday:

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20150228/eu-russia-opposition-leader-killed-9719825864.html


Sounds like the rest of the Russian opposition know exactly what's going on.  Once again, Putin says he's putting his top law enforcement officers on the job of finding the killer, as if anyone will believe him this time around too.  ::)

[Nefaro]

Gives it that strong odor of rabid nationalism/personality cult which sets Russia apart from run-of-the-mill criminal syndicate states like Mexico.

I see people calling the current leadership of Russia an Oligarchy but it's pretty clear that Putin and his old nationalist KGB connections are on the highest rung over there.  He may protect the wealthy businessmen who support him but his entourage has been calling all the shots.

[Boggit]

Sounds like the rest of the Russian opposition know exactly what's going on.  Once again, Putin says he's putting his top law enforcement officers on the job of finding the killer, as if anyone will believe him this time around too.  ::)

To be fair, maybe he will. It doesn't mean that they'll "officially" find the right man as the killer, or who is behind the killing. When you think of it - a suspect killed in a shoot out would be very convenient - politically.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

Sounds like the rest of the Russian opposition know exactly what's going on.  Once again, Putin says he's putting his top law enforcement officers on the job of finding the killer, as if anyone will believe him this time around too.  ::)

To be fair, maybe he will. It doesn't mean that they'll "officially" find the right man as the killer, or who is behind the killing. When you think of it - a suspect killed in a shoot out would be very convenient - politically.

That would actually be good news. It would say they want to avoid escalation. If on the other hand they run with "provocation", which seemed like a bizarre jump before the investigation, it would say they mean to make an immediate example of Ukraine. Just to prove they are ready to end the community of nations without hesitation.

[GDS_Starfury]

the whole damn thing is brinksmanship and the sitting President is not the person to play that game.
Merkel seems to be all "fuck you" about it.

[LongBlade]

the whole damn thing is brinksmanship and the sitting President is not the person to play that game.
Merkel seems to be all "fuck you" about it.

And rightfully so.

Russia has all this natural gas with which to bargain. The US has it, too, but Obama has too much enviro in him to support the US becoming a major energy exporter. "With friends like that..."