The Ukrainian Defense Ministry on Thursday made a veiled threat against Russian tourists in Crimea in a video posted to Twitter, which came a few days after a series of explosions at Russia’s Saki Air Base in the peninsula.
The ministry wrote on Twitter: “Unless they want an unpleasantly hot summer break, we advise our valued russian guests not to visit Ukrainian Crimea.”
The video says, “You had a few options this summer,” then goes on to list several tourist destinations. “You chose Crimea,” it says, “Big Mistake.”
The video then shows the series of blasts that hit the Russian air base and fleeing nearby beachgoers who had a view of the explosions.
“Time to head home,” the video says, concluding with the words, “Crimea is Ukraine.”
So far, Ukraine has not officially taken credit for the explosions at the Russian air base, which killed one person, and wounded 14 more. But anonymous Ukrainian officials speaking to the media have claimed that it was a Ukrainian special forces attack, which, if true, would mark a significant escalation in the war.
For their part, Russia has downplayed the blasts, claiming it was an ammunition explosion caused by accident.
The blasts at the Saki Air Base came not long after Ukrainian officials said they were planning to start attacking Crimea and suggested they could use US-provided weapons. The US has asked Ukraine not to use weapons it sends against Russian territory, but the rule doesn’t appear to apply to Crimea since Washington doesn’t recognize the peninsula as part of Russia.
Russian officials have made clear they would view attacks on Crimea as a serious escalation of the war. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, who currently serves as the deputy chair of Russia’s security council, warned that attacks on the peninsula would mean “doomsday” for Ukrainian leadership.
Russia took Crimea in 2014 after the US-backed ousting of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Crimea’s residents, the majority of which are ethnically Russian, voted in a referendum to join Russia. The US has denounced the referendum as a sham, but plenty of polls have been held after 2014 that show Crimeans are happy they joined Russia.
To point out that you are vacationing in what soon will become a war zone is mighty nice of him. Thanks for the heads up.
What do you think might happen to Kiev if Crimea comes under serious attack?
The sooner Zelensky and his band of criminal thieves is eliminated the better for all mankind!
If this is the long looked for Ukrainian “counteroffensive” using-long range precision guided missiles, it signifies a quantum leap escalation by Washington. It will mean doomsday for the NAZI leadership; could be the beginning of the end for European NATO and every military installation in the US and around the world, and ….
For a thorough debunking of the Southern Counteroffensive, one this place would do well to emulate, as opposed to acting as a stenographer for USA/NATO/Kiev Neo Nazi regime propaganda, see here:
https://www.moonofalabama.org/2022/08/via-daniel-ukraine-battle-expands-as-kyiv-launches-counteroffensive-new-york-times-may-29-2022-ukraine-regains-some.html#more
Where’s the analysis of the Saki strike? Most of the MoA piece is Washington/Kiev gaslighting; and, of course Russia is doing same. If Kiev (US “retired” special ops) is now employing long range missiles, it’s a brand new game and territorial acquisition doesn’t really signify, does it?
AFAICT, the evidence points more to sabotage, then it does a long range missile strike.
What evidence? You mean NATO propaganda. We’re getting nothing from those on site, those with the actual evidence.
I thought the Russians ruled out a missile attack too? Do you have any evidence that it was a missile attack? Again, AFAICT, nobody is saying that, while the Russians are saying sabotage. Not looking for a fight here, by the way….
When in a war especially language is always used tactically. Neither side is interested in Truth (except among their fellow fighters). I have no doubt the Russians know the facts, have the evidence; and, very little doubt the sabotage hypothesis is bogus. Therefore, given the MO (continual escalation, “dbl down”) of the NeoCons, and if it was indeed long-range- precision guided missiles, Russia is obliged to respond proportionately; but, doesn’t want to telegraph anything, nor, panic their own or the Ukrainian population.
What no one wants to face is the fact infantry will decide who wins , as it stands Ukraine is only delaying the inevitable.
the Crimeans left Ukraine because in 2014 the Coup leaders threatened them with extermination….. “We are going to get rid of the Russian speaking scum Sub Human Scum infesting Eastern Ukraine” after that the eastern Oblasts seceded from Ukraine.
The neoNazis torched their buses after they were anti-Maiden protestors.
The repulsive Kiev Neo Nazi regime is now openly threatening civilians with death and destruction. And relying on that threat to advance its political/military objectives. Which is the classic definition of terrorism.
And yet the big push is to declare Russia a sponsor of “terrorism.”
Sooner or later this war will escalate with Russia going in all guns blazing , this war would be over and many lives saved but for the NATO numpties interfering
The Ukrainians seem to be getting dumber day by day …
This is a political stunt as much as a military move. It is certain to bring blow back, and was done in large part to get that blow back, thinking the response is likely to be as politically useful as the rallying cheer over the strike itself.
This is what the political side of warfighting looks like. It is not even slightly unique. We need to see it for what it is, even though by definition it usually goes unseen for what it is until long after the events.
“We need to see it for what it is, even though by definition it usually goes unseen for what it is until long after the events.”
That’s not in the slightest bit possible with Porya Porkinson Johnson, Lil Lizzie Truss or Joe The Headless Chevalier Biden gadding around.
Wow – this going to sure be a interesting exhibit at the international war crimes trials. The crying terrified girl tells the story.
The fanaticism is telling. This is recreation of the battle of 969, when the last ruler David saw his empire defeated by Kievan Rus ruler, Svyatislav, and its capital Atil destroyed and rased. So freeing up Crimea, and leading to Rus ruler Vladimir accepting Christianity in the town of Kherson. There is literraly no other way to explain the madness that is gripping Western leaders when it comes to Ukraine.
It hardly matters what population actually wants. Nobody is asking them. Zelenski is living in a movie, script written over millenia ago.
Couldn’t agree with You more.
The utter fiends who call themselves the Ukrainian government. They give new meaning to tyranny and mendacity. May Russia end them soon…
Finally UKRAINE is showing its TRUE COLOURS by saying they will target civilians in CRIEMA like they have been doing all along and blaming it on the RUSSIANS
Many of the visitors to Crimea are Ukrainians, who found it much better cared for and welcoming than when it was “part of Ukraine” for all those years.
This is where Empire apologists say something like “but Crimea has NEVER been a part of the Russian Federation,” it’s the same line as “but Taiwan has NEVER been a part of the People’s Republican of China.”
Like it the modern political entity matters *at all*. Crimea is historically, culturally, linguistically, and ethnically part of Russia for much longer than the modern states existed. And the same thing is true for Taiwan.
Zelensky needs a reality check.
The modern state came into existence in 1648.
It wasn’t until 1668 that the indigenous Taiwanese threw out the Dutch, it wasn’t until 1683 that the mainland regime really started trying to take the island over, and it wasn’t until 1887 that Chinese rule was secure enough for the Qing dynasty to finally make Taiwan a prefecture … which it then lost to the Japanese in 1895.
Is Chinese language and culture fairly strongly ingrained in Taiwan now? Sure. But it’s been 127 years since Taiwan was last ruled by Beijing.
Well, ze-hrenski will undoubtedly have a reality check once he, she or he/she/it, it might be, gets court-marshalled.
Once Russian civilians are targeted, all bets are off for Kiev population. Dumbest maneuver by the Defense Ministry.
Warning people not to vacation in a war zone is not targeting civilians it is telling them that going into a war zone could lead to unpleasant holiday memories – not the same at all.
Well, the Russian regime could move those civilians out of the combat area. If they don’t, they’re using them as “human shields.” I’m sure I’ve seen that accusation made elsewhere …