Jackson50 on 12 August 2008
| makingmusic476 said: Not sure how accurate this is, but according to a guy on NeoGAF: Currently Russian news is reporting that the naval vessel that was shot down was probably Ukranian made. There's also a bunch of other reports suggesting Georgia is using all kinds of Ukranian made weapons/anti aircraft/tanks. In an interview, a Russian soldier said that he's sure some Ukranians were actually operating tanks. There's also the possibility that Ukraine will try to deny reentry for Russian vessels that have currently been deployed. Putin gave a speech as well. He's not at all pleased with the way USA responded. Comparing Georgia to Iraq and how Russia's involvement in Georgia is much more justified than US invading Iraq. Said that a lot of what he's seeing out of US is a "cold war mentality". Russia did confirm that they're now advancing from the other side of Georgia but are meeting less resistance there. Making up reasons to head into Ukraine? |
Yes, Moscow has its eyes on Ukraine. Moscow may want to overthrow President Saakashvili, but this war is about sending a message to Ukraine. Moscow wants to maintain its hegemony over the Post-Soviet states, and it views Ukraine as the most important state to maintain control over. Ukraine is quite advanced in regards to missile technology, it is a top-ten steel producing state, and most of Russia's natural gas is supplied through Ukranian supply lines. Moscow has interfered in Ukranian politics recently (Putin endorsed PM Yanukovych in the 04 presidential elections), and it will do anything to maintain its hegemony.
