More Bad News for Russia

[sleepycat]

Good article about those floating rust buckets known as the Russian Navy...

http://theweek.com/articles/545980/russian-navy-verge-collapse

[Anotherkiwi]

Good article about those floating rust buckets known as the Russian Navy...

http://theweek.com/articles/545980/russian-navy-verge-collapse

I've posted these before, but they bear repeating:

Do they have better ones that we don't know about????

[lordtiberius]

Its a good article stating that Russia has only 45 ships against the US 290.  Most of those ships are old.  That is true.  Russia does have a modern air force and nuclear forces.  Those must be considered even though such consideration is beyond the scope of the article.

[alex330]

Do they have better ones that we don't know about????

The main concern are the "black holes". Nuclear powered and armed subs that can sneak up on us undetected. The rest of the fleet is dated.

[Muzh]

The main concern are the "black holes". Nuclear powered and armed subs that can sneak up on us undetected. The rest of the fleet is dated.

Alex, reality is that the US subs can sneak up undetected on the Russian subs 100% of the time.

[Brasscasing]

Alex,

LT and myself had a fairly in depth discussion on Russian Submarine Fleet capabilities a number of months ago. Here's an excerpt...

[LT,]Let's take a look and see if these figures match up with yours...

..."Strategic submarines

All currently deployed strategic submarines were developed at the Rubin Central Design Bureau of Naval Equipment (St-Petersburg). All currently deployed strategic submarines were built at the Northern Machine-Building Production Association (Severodvinsk, Archangelsk oblast).

Submarines of the Project 667BDR (Delta III) class entered service in 1976-1982. The total of 14 ships of this class were built. These submarines carry the D-16R missile system with 16 R-29R (SS-N-18) missiles. Submarines of this class are being withdrawn from service.

Submarines of the Project 667BDRM (Delta IV) class entered service in 1985-1991. The total of 7 ships of this class were built, of which one (K-64 Vladimir) has been converted into a special-forces submarine. Submarines of this class carry the D-16RM missile system with 16 R-29RM (SS-N-23) missiles. The current plans call for keeping six 667BDRM submarines in service, so the submarines are undergoing overhaul during which they are equipped with new missiles.

Project 941 (Typhoon) submarines were deployed in 1981-1989. The total of six submarines of this class were built. Submarines of this class carry the D-19 missile system with 20 R-39 (SS-N-20) missiles. Since the missiles have reached end of their service lives, Project 941 submarines have been withdrawn from service. The only exception is the lead ship of the class, TK-208 Dmitry Donskoy, which has been refitted for tests of a new missile system, R-30 Bulava.

In 1996 Russia began construction of a strategic submarine of a new class, Project 955 (also known as Borey or Yuri Dolgorukiy). Construction of a second submarine of this type, Aleksandr Nevskiy, began in March 2004, and the third, Vladimir Monomakh - in March 2006. The new submarines will carry 16 launchers of a new missile, known as Bulava. Subsequent submarines, known as Project 955A, will have 20 Bulava launchers. The first two Project 955 submarines - Yuri Dolgorukiy and Aleksandr Nevskiy - were accepted for service in 2013. However, the submarines do not have missiles on board."...

In my opinion the R-30Bulava is the only strategic missile capable of testing NORAD or European strategic defense capabilities and it's still being tested with mixed results. The rest is basically junk...

Sea-launched ballistic missiles

All currently deployed sea-launched ballistic missiles were developed at the Machine-Building Design Bureau (Miass, Chelyabinsk oblast). The design bureau is currently named the V. P. Makeyev State Missile Center.

R-29R (SS-N-18) missiles are deployed on Project 667BDR submarines. The system was accepted for service in 1979. The missile has two liquid-fuel stages and carries three warheads. The missiles were produced at the Krasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant.

R-29RM (SS-N-23) missiles are deployed on Project 667BDRM submarines. The system was accepted for service in 1986. The missile has three liquid-fuel stages (the third stage also works as a bus) and carries four warheads. In 1999 Russia resumed production of these missiles, in a modification known as Sineva, to be deployed on Project 667BDRM submarines during overhaul. Launch tests of the Sineva missile were completed in June 2004 and it was accepted for service in July 2007. Another modification of R-29RM, known as Liner, could carry up to 10 warheads.

Russia is currently developing a new sea-launched ballistic missile, known as R-30 Bulava. Development of this missile is done at the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology. Flight tests of the missile began in September 2005. The new missile system is to be deployed on Project 955 submarines. Bulava was declared as carrying six warheads.

http://russianforces.org/navy/

I think at this point they have two modern submarine platforms (boomers) and no up to date missiles, LT. Tell me if I'm reading this wrong.

Although the Russians are scrambling to build/refurbish I doubt much has changed since I posted this.

Brass

[alex330]

Alex,

LT and myself had a fairly in depth discussion on Russian Submarine Fleet capabilities a number of months ago. Here's an excerpt...

Although the Russians are scrambling to build/refurbish I doubt much has changed since I posted this.

Brass

Great detailed info, thanks. The Borey class is now armed and Bulava missiles tested successfully at a range of 5, 000 kilometers as of last year.

Edit - Looks like they also have the Akula Class which we are unable to detect.

http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsrussian-nuclear-submarine-sails-in-gulf-of-mexico-undetected

[AkMike]

Crimean ports ‘may close due to transport isolation’


The steep drop in the profitability of Crimea’s ports is making it impossible to operate and maintain them in the proper technical conditions

The authorities of the occupied Crimea have recognized that due to Western sanctions and the transport isolation of the peninsula, the ports are suffering from a decline in profitability, according to Vasiuta.

In 2012 Crimean ports handled seven million tonnes of cargo, but in 2014 this had more than halved to three million tonnes.

"Such a situation virtually eliminates the possibility of making our own investment in the future development of the ports and maintaining them in the required technical condition," Vasiuta said.

In addition, he said the Crimean ports are experiencing difficulty in bringing their documents in line with the norms of Russian legislation, which "could lead to their complete shutdown
Read more on UNIAN: http://www.unian.info/economics/1062948-crimean-ports-may-close-due-to-transport-isolation.html

[AkMike]

Putin threatens nuclear war: Russian leader will take any necessary step to drive Nato out of Baltics and defend Crimea

Russian intelligence chiefs took part in secret meeting with U.S. officials
Outlined three potential flashpoints that could lead to all-out nuclear war
Said attempts to return Crimea to Ukraine will be dealt with as an invasion
Also demanded Nato breaks up so called 'rapid response force' in the Baltic and stops arming those fighting pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine

By John Hall for MailOnline

Published: 05:21 EST, 2 April 2015
Vladimir Putin is planning to exploit the threat of nuclear war to force Nato out of countries bordering Russia, it has been claimed.

A secret meeting between intelligence figures in Moscow and Washington reportedly revealed Putin will consider any attempt to return the Crimean peninsula to Ukraine as declaration of war and will take any necessary step - including using nuclear weapons - to retain control of the region.

Notes from the meeting are also said to have revealed that Putin is planning imminent 'destabilising actions' in pro-Western Baltic states in a direct challenge to Nato's promise to defend the countries from Soviet-style Russian expansionism.

These disturbances are thought to likely involve cyber attacks or ramping up local ethnic tensions in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania intended to unsettle the region.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3022793/Putin-threatens-nuclear-war-Russian-leader-necessary-step-drive-Nato-Baltics-defend-Crimea.html#ixzz3WBXBRMvl
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

[Anathema]

Yawn.  Put up or shut up.

[Boethius]

I don't take the threat of nuclear war by the Russians seriously.  I think they should be allowed to keep Crimea, but there should be international sanctions, even more onerous than now.  No tour boats, no VISA/Mastercard, etc., no tours organized by Western companies, no Western technology for oil exploration, with the threat of heavy fines for non compliance. 

[AkMike]

Really? You're seriously condoning grand theft and murder by invading Krym?

 Nuke threats are worse than murder threats, right? Would you tend to be concerned over a threat of bodily harm?

 It may well be just sabre rattling but it shows the state of mind of the Russian leader IMO.
 

[Boethius]

The majority of the population there wants to be part of Russia, phony referendum notwithstanding.  It's done.  But, the method of annexation (invasion) must be recognized, and not rewarded, by the international community.


I am not threatened for a variety of reasons.  Russia is just trying to punch above her weight class.

[alex330]

I don't take the threat of nuclear war by the Russians seriously. 

Agreed. Two of Russia's first detection satellites are no longer in orbit. They have fallen out of orbit and have yet to be replaced. They are in a vulnerable position and would need to strike first and all out.

[jone]

Russia identifies 'Patriot' Gene.

You can't make this stuff up.  No one would believe you!

Researchers at Russia's Laboratory of Comparative Social Research at the Higher School of Economics have been comparing varieties of genes among residents of different countries, using research from the World Values Survey and DNA information from multiple sources. The first results are specifically related to the production of dopamine, which, in part, is responsible for the human sense of happiness, satisfaction with politics - and even how patriotic people feel.

The researchers have also now begun conducting surveys and collecting genetic material in different cities around the country to see how it breaks down by region. It's still not clear though exactly how much one's satisfaction with both life and political leaders depends on the "patriotism gene." If a connection is found, then will government officials who work in genetically disadvantaged regions have to be paid a hardship stipend?

Will it be possible, then, in the future to give people a "patriotism pill," so that citizens can be happier? It's an open question, and researchers think that given the pace of current research, it's not at all beyond the realm of possibility.

http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2015/04/02/russias_quest_for_the_patriotism_gene_111091.html

If you read the article, it, of course, begins that in Mother Russia, the Patriot Gene is most prevalent or most developed.

The article originally appeared in Kommersant.

[calmissile]

The majority of the population there wants to be part of Russia, phony referendum notwithstanding. It's done.  But, the method of annexation (invasion) must be recognized, and not rewarded, by the international community.


I am not threatened for a variety of reasons.  Russia is just trying to punch above her weight class.

It should NOT be DONE!.   Rewarding Russia with the illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea is unacceptable.  Applying sanctions, etc is not going to ever return Crimea to Ukraine.    Putin needs to be pushed back and the territory conquests he has acquired should be reversed.   If the world lets him get away with what he has done, he will continue......Period!

The nuclear threat is a lot of hot air Putin style intimidation.  We experienced the same thing throughout the cold war, including the Cuban Missile Crisis.  Putin should understand the first Nuke that he uses will be the end of him and his glorious vision of how he was good for Russia.

Bullies can only rule through intimidation as long as cowards are afraid to call their bluff.

[Boethius]

How can Crimea be undone when the majority of the residents there want to be part of Russia?  That is reality, no matter how much others wish to deny it.  The sanctions are to discourage territorial gains being normalized by the international community.   That is how Russia is "punished" for the invasion.


Crimea survived primarily through the tourist trade.  By cutting that trade with the rest of the world, the world sends a message on illegal invasions. 

[Larry1]

It should NOT be DONE!.   Rewarding Russia with the illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea is unacceptable.  Applying sanctions, etc is not going to ever return Crimea to Ukraine.    Putin needs to be pushed back and the territory conquests he has acquired should be reversed.   If the world lets him get away with what he has done, he will continue......Period!

The only way for Ukraine to get Crimea back is to invade. Putin will never give it back, even if sanctions continued for years and Russia's economy shrank by 10%. But the Ukrainian military doesn't have the forces necessary to mount a successful invasion. If it foolishly tried to invade then Russia would immediately establish air supremacy and would do massive damage to the invading force.

[AkMike]

The majority of the population there wants to be part of Russia, phony referendum notwithstanding.

Based on my understanding this is rapidly changing because of the lack of promised improvements by Russia. I contend that polls are still skewed by the fear factor.

[Boethius]

Polls by independent Western sources find the overwhelming majority of residents want to be part of Russia.  It is so overwhelming, it is evident the locals would so vote in a fully free, independent referendum.  Crimea is not going to be part of Ukraine.  That is reality.  Ukrainians must adjust to that fact, ask for reparations for lost property, and ensure the West keeps punitive sanctions in place.

[lordtiberius]

What you suggest is not immoral but perverted.  Crimea is Ukrainian and if it must be invaded to maintain its territorial integrity, then so be it.  And despite your pessimism, many ethnic Russians are waking up Ukrainian.  And if they can not be made to accept this, they can leave just like the Tatars have been made to do so.

[Boethius]

Would it be more moral for thousands to die to return Crimea to a nation which the majority of Crimeans do not wish to return to?  The reality is, most Crimeans do not want to be part of Ukraine.  That is why they had their own parliament and de facto autonomy prior to the Russian invasion.

[lordtiberius]

It is easy to dismiss the suffering of others when it is not you.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/02/world/europe/russia-shuts-down-tv-station-serving-crimean-tatars.html

Russia Shuts Down TV Station Serving Crimean Tatars

[Boethius]

Although tragic, it is not worth the life or blood of one Ukrainian soldier.  Let the Crimean Russians who overwhelmingly wanted unification with Russia deal with the consequences.

[lordtiberius]

The Lord hears the cry of the poor, but Boethius doesn't?

Are the Tatars Ukrainians?  Are their rights and property not worth defending or fighting for?

Ukraine is at war.  And no phony peace with phony people like the Kremlin mafia will change that and you know this . . .