Crimea joining Russian Federation

[JayH]

Wayne, if you don't mind my asking, how long has it been since you and your wife have spent lengthy time periods together?

Any time at all? Interesting question  ML.

[AkMike]

The dacha was almost complete before the revolution began.

It's interesting that he used 'revolution' instead of invasion. 

[JayH]

There has been no steady electricity supply in this hard-hit town since Nov. 22, when protesters in Ukraine blew up the lines still feeding Crimea with most of its electric power. The bigger towns and cities are only marginally better off.

Yet, people here are not sure whom to blame more for their predicament: the Crimean Tatar activists and Ukrainian nationalists who cut off Crimea’s link to the Ukrainian power grid or the local government officials who claimed to have enough power generators stored away to handle such an emergency

“The circus is gone, but the clowns stayed,” said Leonid Zakharov, 45, leaning on a wooden cane. Moscow may have purged Ukrainian authority, he said, but many of the same corrupt and incompetent officials remained in office and life was only slightly less chaotic than before.


Twenty months after the Kremlin annexed the Black Sea peninsula amid an outpouring of patriotic fervor by the ethnic Russian population, President Vladimir V. Putin’s promise in April 2014 to turn it into a showcase of his rule now seems as faded as Crimea’s aging, Soviet-era resorts.

.
 But life is not particularly wonderful anywhere in Crimea right now.





 “They said, ‘Russia is not very liked in the world already, so if they will dislike us a little more, so what?’ ”




Today, the main lifeline to Russia is a ferry to a remote corner of the Krasnodar region that is operating without hindrance during the blackout, but which the Tatar activists have also threatened to halt. In 2014, the Kremlin pledged to spend 658 billion rubles (about $10 billion) to improve the peninsula’s infrastructure, including a $3.4 billion bridge to mainland Russia. But little has been forthcoming.


http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/02/world/europe/power-outage-forces-crimeans-to-reconsider-their-enthusiasm-for-secession.html?_r=1

[ML]

"Twenty months after the Kremlin annexed the Black Sea peninsula amid an outpouring of patriotic fervor by the ethnic Russian population, President Vladimir V. Putin’s promise in April 2014 to turn it into a showcase of his rule now seems as faded as Crimea’s aging, Soviet-era resorts."

Those fevorous Russians should have given more thought to where they were going to get their electricity, water, food, etc.

Wasn't one of our posters fond of saying the Russians would eat dirt if they had to ?

Time to 'belly up' to the bar.

[Wayne]

Simferopol has only one or two hours of electric daily now. Internet hardly works at all. Gasoline is in short supply. Food is spoiling. Schools and most businesses are closed. Electric trolley buses don't work. Nothing works!

[2tallbill]

Here are some related News Articles that some might find interesting.

How NATO benefits from the electricity blackout on the occupied Crimean Peninsula
http://uatoday.tv/society/blackout-in-crimea-542399.html

Putin drive to swallow Crimea halts at gates of football stadiums
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/11/26/uk-ukraine-crisis-crimea-soccer-idUKKBN0TF11G20151126

Russia and Ukraine in a Standoff Over Crimea Power Outage
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/26/world/europe/russia-and-ukraine-in-a-standoff-over-crimea-power-outage.html


'Crimeans Don't Cry': Life Under the Blackout

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/article/crimeans-dont-cry-life-under-the-blackout/550651.html

[Wayne]

Putin was in Simferopol. He promised to have the first power link to Russia in operation by 15 Dec 2015. Even if so, 12 more days in the dark.

[AkMike]

Keep your fingers crossed. The whole Kuban region doesn't have enough extra power to supply Krym.   

[Brasscasing]

This antiquated power grid's been cold for weeks. Even if they flash it up in a week or two it'll likely crash if not done in phases and with proper precautions.

Brass

[JayH]

Putin was in Simferopol. He promised to have the first power link to Russia in operation by 15 Dec 2015. Even if so, 12 more days in the dark.

That will not happen

[JayH]

This antiquated power grid's been cold for weeks. Even if they flash it up in a week or two it'll likely crash if not done in phases and with proper precautions.

Brass

The sub-stations have been exploding or catching fire all over the place. The erratic levels coming thru are creating a big problem.

[Slumba]

Well look on the bright side:  since the price of oil is low, it won't cost the Russians as much if they decide to ship in some big diesel gensets 

2MW of capacity without fuel tank, will fit on a standard 40-foot trailer; which I estimate is enough for about 10K flats, assuming that heat comes from elsewhere.  In the USA, 1MW is given as 1,000 homes, but the Russians use much less electricity.

[Wayne]

In Crimea, I saw a lot of natural gas pipes that are run above ground in rusty steel pipes. If the main gas supply lines come through Ukraine (which they probably do) the next thing the Tatars might do is blow them up!

Some old buildings have steam heat, and the steam itself does not require electric to flow, but most boilers would need electric for controls. Warm air and hot water systems would use fans and pumps that are electric.

A long term fix might be large natural gas lines under the sea from Russia and new gas powered electric power plants.

[AkMike]

With the massive cash outflow that Pulter has already... You'll find that Krym and Ukraine are going to be moving further down the list of priorities.

[JayH]

Wayne, if you don't mind my asking, how long has it been since you and your wife have spent lengthy time periods together?

Wayne-- you have not replied? Why not?

In Crimea, I saw a lot of natural gas pipes that are run above ground in rusty steel pipes. If the main gas supply lines come through Ukraine (which they probably do) the next thing the Tatars might do is blow them up!

When were you there? When did you "see" ?
Ridiculous comment on Tarters.

Putin was in Simferopol. He promised to have the first power link to Russia in operation by 15 Dec 2015. Even if so, 12 more days in the dark.

So-- what happened?
Yeah right-it did not happen.

[JayH]

Power lines blasts in Ukraine resulted in a blackout in Crimean peninsula which is into its sixth day. While Ukrainian society and media are discussing whether it is worth applying such measures as an energy blockade towards Crimea, Russia is working on building a facade that very soon the peninsula will be able to exist without Ukrainian power. So which mountains of gold have been already promised and is it really so easy to present them?

1. How much Crimea needs
According to the State Unitary Enterprise of the Republic of Crimea Krymenergo, until recent days Ukraine supplied the peninsula with 1,210 MW. The average power consumption in Crimea amounted to 1,100 MW.  This means that Ukraine has even been backing up the occupied peninsula.

2. What Russia promised
Three days after the beginning of the blackout Russian President Vladimir Putin finally reacted saying that by December 20 the first line of energy bridge from Russia to Crimea will be constructed and in the summer of 2016 the second line will be built.

Russia has been espousing the idea of an energy bridge since the beginning of Crimea’s occupation in March 2014. However, tracking the real steps towards its construction proves to be difficult.

A 13 bn ruble tender was conducted for the construction of the cable transition through the Kerch Strait. Neither of the four lines were mentioned there. The contract includes the construction of a line of 220 kW. So probably this construction work is one of the cases of dividing money that will never be shown on public.

3. Crimea’s internal production

A mobile gas-turbine power plant outside Simferopol

4. Legal issues
There need not be additional mentions that Russian actions towards Crimea have been illegal. But some international companies support Russia’s violation of international law. In October 11, 2015 the China’s cable laying vessel JIAN JI 3001 arrived to one of the occupied ports of Kerch.

The possibility that Russia can provide all needed energy to Crimea exists at some theoretical level. All ways of doing it are enormously expensive and need many preparations. Knowing the style of doing business in Russia it is easy to predict that even if money for Crimean energy is allocated, a significant part of it will dive into the deep pockets of corrupted structures.

Why didn’t Russia find an energy solution over 20 months of annexation?
According to the Swiss outlet nzz.ch, Russia wasn’t able to begin construction of needed power generators after annexing Crimea because it would be more expensive to equip Crimea with Russian-produced generators have a smaller capacity than with those produced abroad, which are prohibited by sanctions. Apparently, the Russian leadership was either searching for ways to circumvent sanctions, or waiting for them to be dropped, pursuing a cost-effective solution.




Can Russia completely supply Crimea with power? Four facts to make your own conclusions

Can Russia completely supply Crimea with power? Four facts to make your own conclusions


2015/11/28 • CRIMEA


Article by: Olena Makarenko
Power lines blasts in Ukraine resulted in a blackout in Crimean peninsula which is into its sixth day. While Ukrainian society and media are discussing whether it is worth applying such measures as an energy blockade towards Crimea, Russia is working on building a facade that very soon the peninsula will be able to exist without Ukrainian power. So which mountains of gold have been already promised and is it really so easy to present them?

The last events around Crime have shown that the the energy blockade of the peninsula is far from over. On Thursday, 26 November, employees of the Ukrainian state energy company Ukrenergo stopped works on repairing one of the destroyed power pillars in Kherson Oblast. According to the head of Ukrenergo Information Policy Department Zinovy Butso, this happened “on the demand of the energy blockade participants.”

The day before, Mustafa Dzhemilev, Ukrainian MP and leader of Crimea Tatars, stated that the activists of the energy blockade are not going to restore electricity supply to the peninsula yet. Also Dzhemilev pointed out that the main condition under which energy supply can be renewed is freedom for the Ukrainian political prisoners in Crimea.



http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/11/28/can-russia-completely-supply-crimea-with-power-four-facts-to-make-your-own-conclusions/

[JayH]

Hardly surprising that Russia is not happy with their installed band of crooks !

What is of interest-- is that the closed city of Sevastopol as part of Crimea. Almost like they are setting this up to retain by Russia when they are forced to give up the rest of Crimea. Part of the bargaining process?


Russia questioned the occupation "authorities" Crimea


Russia questioned the professionalism of the occupation "authorities" annexed Crimea. It is reported RIA "Novosti" with reference to a source in the government of the Russian Federation. As the source informs, in November 2015 the Russian government instructed the Ministry of Economic Development and Ministry of Finance to determine the amount of damage after freezing the budget for 2015 funding for the development of Crimea and Sevastopol.  According to government experts, "the professionalism and quality of regional government is serious concern at the helm of the government."

Більше читайте тут: http://tsn.ua/politika/rosiya-zasumnivalasya-v-okupaciyniy-vladi-krimu-zmi-557660.html

[srsol]

Maybe this is "off-post" but has anyone recently traveled to Crimea?  As an American, I believe I'm allowed to travel there (I realize I have to travel via Russia first and then to Simferopol) - or is this unwise?  Yes, I've read what the "Nat Sec" posts, but sometimes there is better info from those who may live there or travel there in recent months.  Many thanks and Happy New Year! 

[krimster2]

srsol,
   I'm a US citizen who lived in Sevastopol for three years.
Yes, you can travel there, Sevastopol hasn't yet returned to its Soviet status as a "closed" city, but it is a future possibility.
In the three years I lived there I had been assualted twice for being a foreigner and not publicly speaking Russian with my children.
I would perceive the "hostility index" to be a bit higher now than it was, but still for a two week stay I'd give it a 1% probability of you being assualted for being a foreigner which is pretty low.  Avoid groups of young men, stay away from bars, don't publicly speak English, keep a low profile, this will help your odds a bit
Sevastopol itself is a fairly boring place, a few historical places, Panorama, Chersonese, I'd rate Odessa over Sevastopol, safer less hassle and Visa free

JayH, there have been a lot of "purges" in Crimea.  Initially some local oligarch's made it into the new government early last year, but they are being cleansed and replaced by Moscovites.  The local courts were clogged with thousands of properties being taked from Ukrianian oligarchs and handed over to favored Russian oligarchs, this is all normal there

[srsol]

Thanks Krimster - probably wise to avoid currently.

[JayH]

One of the big incentives for the Crimean thieves to escape Ukraine was to escape legal and moral obligations. Maybe now they are starting to understand that the bigger thieves in Moscow want their "dues"!
What a morally bankrupt group they really are.

"Local collaborators welcomed annexation, in the first place, not because of “Russian patriotism,” but because of selfish interests: Russia promised the much-touted benefits package, pensions, salaries. By some wild misunderstanding they felt no need to return the debts. That’s how they interpreted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s words, when he answered a question about the Crimean loans."


Russian State Duma makes Crimeans to repay Ukrainian debts


The Russian State Duma adopted a law that allowed recovering Crimean’s debts to Ukrainian banks

The head of the Russian “State council” of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov criticized this decision, accusing the Kremlin of neglecting the interests of Crimeans. In fact, Konstantinov is worried about his own pocket, as firms affiliated with him, owe Ukrainian banks more than UAH1 billion, Joinfo.ua reports with reference to KrymRealii.
Local collaborators welcomed annexation, in the first place, not because of “Russian patriotism,” but because of selfish interests: Russia promised the much-touted benefits package, pensions, salaries. By some wild misunderstanding they felt no need to return the debts. That’s how they interpreted Russian President Vladimir Putin’s words, when he answered a question about the Crimean loans.
The Kremlin initially did not give a clear answer about the Ukrainian loans. On the one hand, the republican “government” have stated that “they do not owe anything to Ukraine,” and on the other – the certain companies, which worked on the peninsula, were beating the debts out of the people.
Under the new law, Russian credit and non-credit institutions, which “provide evidence of the acquisition of the relevant rights,” can beat the debts out of Crimeans. Roughly speaking, the Russian organizations purchase ‘bad’ loan portfolios from Ukrainian banks, and recover debts by their own means.
http://joinfo.com/world/1012971_russian-state-duma-makes-crimeans-to-repay-ukrainian-debts.html

[fathertime]

Despite struggles, it looks like there is optimism in Crimea.


Crimeans enter 2016 struggling, but optimistic




SEVASTOPOL, Crimea (AP) — As New Year's Eve approaches, the central square of Crimea's largest city is festooned with bright festive decorations, including a soaring artificial tree that flashes and winks. But areas just a few steps away are sunk in darkness, the street lamps turned off because of an electricity shortage.

Sevastopol and the rest of Crimea are slowly recovering from....



http://news.yahoo.com/crimeans-enter-2016-struggling-optimisticc-141322183.html


Fathertime!   

[Muzh]

Despite struggles, it looks like there is optimism in Crimea.


Crimeans enter 2016 struggling, but optimistic




SEVASTOPOL, Crimea (AP) — As New Year's Eve approaches, the central square of Crimea's largest city is festooned with bright festive decorations, including a soaring artificial tree that flashes and winks. But areas just a few steps away are sunk in darkness, the street lamps turned off because of an electricity shortage.

Sevastopol and the rest of Crimea are slowly recovering from....



http://news.yahoo.com/crimeans-enter-2016-struggling-optimisticc-141322183.html


Fathertime!

Heh, optimism is ingrained in the Russian psyche. They have no choice. 

[Gator]

Heh, optimism is ingrained in the Russian psyche. They have no choice. 

Ingrained?  In my 15-20 trips to Russia, I sensed a dipolar perspective among the Russian citizenry:

            1.    Skepticism about most everything, particularly the government save Putin.

            2.    Pride for being Russian and living the Russian culture (except politics).   

As with Americans, the economy is frequently the most important issue, so when the economy is down the people are down, and down it has been.

Optimism for the future of Crimea?  Three sources for optimism: 

         1.  Inclusion of Crimea in the Russian Federation would indeed buoy optimism because the Russian petrodollars will be available for the long-term recovery. 

         2.  When Russian faces a crisis, history shows the Soviet and Russian governments were not shy about unleashing the propaganda writers, creating heroes, etc. 

         3.  Most Russian people are well aware of historical times when "things" were much worse.

I still contend that Crimea resembles and will continue to resemble the Turkish part of Cyprus.     

[Muzh]

Notice    indicating sarcasm.