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Turkey blocks military ships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles per the 1936 Montreux Convention which grants Turkey control over the straits and can limit warship passages during wartime or if threatened. Just announced by the Foreign Ministry.

Another shoe dropping on Vlad

The Ukrianian ambassador to the UN addressed remarks to the General Assembly in New York said this today of Putin - "If he wants to kill himself he doesn't need to use a nuclear arsenal. He has to do what the guy in the bunker did in Berlin in May 1945"

Then there's this also announced today

The U.S. has informed the Russian Mission that we are beginning the process of expelling 12 intelligence operatives from the Russian Mission who have abused their privileges of residency in the U.S. by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security.

Apple Pay and Google Pay no longer work on Moscow's metro system, leading to long queues as people fumble about for cash to travel with in city metro train system

For your entertainment pleasure via TikTok - Ukrainian girl Olga drives an abandoned Russian armored vehicle after figuring out how to start it.

https://twitter.com/OlgaNYC1211/status/ ... 4304033796

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:36 pm Turkey blocks military ships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles per the 1936 Montreux Convention which grants Turkey control over the straits and can limit warship passages during wartime or if threatened. Just announced by the Foreign Ministry.

Another shoe dropping on Vlad.

... does Vlad already have ships in the black sea? Thought he did. Just means they can't get out.

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:41 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:36 pm Turkey blocks military ships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles per the 1936 Montreux Convention which grants Turkey control over the straits and can limit warship passages during wartime or if threatened. Just announced by the Foreign Ministry.

Another shoe dropping on Vlad.

... does Vlad already have ships in the black sea? Thought he did. Just means they can't get out.

Correctomundo but they cannot now be reinforced or resupplied by sea.

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:46 pm

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:41 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:36 pm Turkey blocks military ships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles per the 1936 Montreux Convention which grants Turkey control over the straits and can limit warship passages during wartime or if threatened. Just announced by the Foreign Ministry.

Another shoe dropping on Vlad.

... does Vlad already have ships in the black sea? Thought he did. Just means they can't get out.

Correctomundo but they cannot now be reinforced or resupplied by sea.

... also means anything in the MED is taking the long way home.

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:47 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:46 pm

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:41 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:36 pm Turkey blocks military ships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles per the 1936 Montreux Convention which grants Turkey control over the straits and can limit warship passages during wartime or if threatened. Just announced by the Foreign Ministry.

Another shoe dropping on Vlad.

... does Vlad already have ships in the black sea? Thought he did. Just means they can't get out.

Correctomundo but they cannot now be reinforced or resupplied by sea.

... also means anything in the MED is taking the long way home.

Yep. Sure hope their tanks are filled because its a LONG trip to the Baltic from the Med.

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:46 pm

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:41 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:36 pm Turkey blocks military ships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles per the 1936 Montreux Convention which grants Turkey control over the straits and can limit warship passages during wartime or if threatened. Just announced by the Foreign Ministry.

Another shoe dropping on Vlad.

... does Vlad already have ships in the black sea? Thought he did. Just means they can't get out.

Correctomundo but they cannot now be reinforced or resupplied by sea.

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-ea ... 022-02-27/
Kyiv had appealed to Ankara to block any more Russian ships from entering the Black Sea, from which Moscow launched an incursion on Ukraine's southern coast. At least six Russian warships and a submarine transited Turkey's straits this month.

...Turkey cannot block all Russian warships accessing the Black Sea due to a clause in the pact exempting those returning to their registered base.

"There should not be any abuse of this exemption. Ships that declare returning to their bases and passing through the straits should not be involved in the war," Cavusoglu said.

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:49 pm

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:47 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:46 pm

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:41 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:36 pm Turkey blocks military ships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles per the 1936 Montreux Convention which grants Turkey control over the straits and can limit warship passages during wartime or if threatened. Just announced by the Foreign Ministry.

Another shoe dropping on Vlad.

... does Vlad already have ships in the black sea? Thought he did. Just means they can't get out.

Correctomundo but they cannot now be reinforced or resupplied by sea.

... also means anything in the MED is taking the long way home.

Yep. Sure hope their tanks are filled because its a LONG trip to the Baltic from the Med.

They can still access their naval base in Syria. I think they can also refuel & resupply in Algeria.
https://tass.com/defense/1075086

The Black Sea Fleet has permanent Black Sea bases.
https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/p ... on-ukraine

President Biden and the EU have coordinated their efforts well. They just cut off access to more than half of Russia’s foreign currency reserves. Over time, that could completely collapse the Russian economy since Russia won’t be able to prop up the ruble.

Russia’s economy was already showing signs of severe distress before the new measures were implemented, with the value of the ruble plunging and crowds of Russians rushing to withdraw cash from ATMs. But the situation deteriorated markedly on Monday, with the Russian central bank raising its key interest rate from 9.5 percent to 20 percent, a move that could be seen as a way to deter people from withdrawing more money from domestic banks. And officials also kept the Moscow stock exchange closed Monday and Tuesday, a step that temporarily delayed an even greater flight of money.

The moves came after European and U.S. officials slapped a range of economic restrictions on Russia that attempted to effectively cut Moscow off from much of its financial reserves. Under the new regime, all people in the United States and European Union are banned from trading with Russia’s central bank. The sanctions also apply to Russia’s Finance Ministry and its sovereign wealth fund. The U.S. and its allies were executing a hastily assembled strategy meant to squeeze Russia’s economy and make it very difficult for Russian leaders to tap money as it carried on its invasion of Ukraine for another day.

… The banking restrictions are arguably the most serious form of economic retaliation yet approved by Western powers in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. They are aimed at preventing Putin from using his sizable financial reserves — totaling more than $600 billion — to stabilize the Russian economy in the face of other sanctions and economic measures imposed by the West.

… “In one fell swoop, the U.S. and Europe have rendered Putin’s war chest unusable. … That the U.S. and Europe have done this in unified fashion sends a crystal-clear message that Russia will face dramatic costs so long as Putin’s war of aggression continues,” said Edward Fishman, former Russia and Europe sanctions lead at the State Department. “This action represents a sea change in U.S. and European strategy. Just 72 hours ago, a step like this was unthinkable.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-polic ... sanctions/

DocBarrister

Have to wonder about Algeria in this situation. Tartus has dock space for only 4 ships I think and won't support docking the cruisers apparently. Doesn't sound like it is optimal for supporting what they currently have running around the MED.

Tartus Naval Base

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 4:18 pm Have to wonder about Algeria in this situation. Tartus has dock space for only 4 ships I think and won't support docking the cruisers apparently. Doesn't sound like it is optimal for supporting what they currently have running around the MED.

Tartus Naval Base

https://news.usni.org/2022/02/22/russia ... iterranean

As of Monday, the three Slava-class cruisers were operating in and around the Aegean Sea – RTS Moskva (121) in the Black Sea, RTS Marshal Ustinov (055) south of Italy and RFS Varyag (011) off the coast of Syria, near Russia’s naval base in Tartus.

Moskva is based in the Black Sea, while Marshal Ustinov traveled from the Northern Fleet and Varyag from the Pacific Fleet. Ustinov and Varyag entered the Mediterranean from opposite ends earlier this month.

old salt wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:53 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:49 pm

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:47 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:46 pm

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:41 pm

Kismet wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:36 pm Turkey blocks military ships from Bosphorus, Dardanelles per the 1936 Montreux Convention which grants Turkey control over the straits and can limit warship passages during wartime or if threatened. Just announced by the Foreign Ministry.

Another shoe dropping on Vlad.

... does Vlad already have ships in the black sea? Thought he did. Just means they can't get out.

Correctomundo but they cannot now be reinforced or resupplied by sea.

... also means anything in the MED is taking the long way home.

Yep. Sure hope their tanks are filled because its a LONG trip to the Baltic from the Med.

They can still access their naval base in Syria. I think they can also refuel & resupply in Algeria.
https://tass.com/defense/1075086

The Black Sea Fleet has permanent Black Sea bases.
https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/p ... on-ukraine

Aren't many of Russian's fleet nuke powered ? Certainly all the subs are. Only resupply one could envision is armaments....at this stage. A large crew, is mostly for relief duty, not the number needed to actually operate the ship, yes? And, like any good Navy, most of the sailors are trained in several ship "missions". Decoder ring sayz: At this stage of the fight, doubt even food is an issue, in terms of "supplies" running out. But, especially due to Russian history, the crew are expendable. Let a few starve to death, we've got 30 other sailors that can do the deceased job.

Can't imagine a scenario where "cargo" ships in the Black sea are carrying tank fuel, as the only supply chain. But, Biden did tell me, "hey stoopid, the supply chain ain't complicated "

youthathletics wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:22 pm Total Wine is doing their part:

Interesting that, when we look to boycott things from Russia, the only product they make that any of us care for is Stoly. Some beautiful writers and poets, some lovely music. But on the goods and services side, Russia is not a big contributor.

Russian mercenaries ordered to kill Ukraine’s president

More than 400 Russian mercenaries are operating in Kyiv with orders from the Kremlin to assassinate President Zelensky and his government and prepare the ground for Moscow to take control, The Times has learnt.

The Wagner Group, a private militia run by one of President Putin’s closest allies and operating as an arm-length branch of the state, flew in mercenaries from Africa five weeks ago on a mission to decapitate Zelensky’s government in return for a handsome financial bonus.

Information about their mission reached the Ukrainian government on Saturday morning and hours later Kyiv declared a 36-hour “hard” curfew to sweep the city for Russian saboteurs, warning civilians that they would be seen as Kremlin agents and risked being “liquidated” if they stepped outside.

..

seacoaster wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 4:29 pm

youthathletics wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 3:22 pm Total Wine is doing their part:

Interesting that, when we look to boycott things from Russia, the only product they make that any of us care for is Stoly. Some beautiful writers and poets, some lovely music. But on the goods and services side, Russia is not a big contributor.

Stoli is actually made and distilled in Latvia not Russia. Russian-made brands include Russian Standard, Siberian brand Husky Vodka and the traditional Polugar Classic Rye Vodka and Ustianochka Beluga Noble Russian Vodkae. Many of these are not widely available in America.

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 4:18 pm Have to wonder about Algeria in this situation. Tartus has dock space for only 4 ships I think and won't support docking the cruisers apparently. Doesn't sound like it is optimal for supporting what they currently have running around the MED.

Tartus Naval Base

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... terranean/

Unusual Russian Navy Concentration Seen In Eastern Mediterranean
As the world watches Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there is also a significant and purposeful Russian Navy presence in the Mediterranean. This is part of the same big picture. Today they have been observed sailing close together in an unusual formation.
H I Sutton 24 Feb 2022

Russia has reinforced its naval presence in the Mediterranean, much more than usual. This can be seen as an outer defense layer for naval operations in the Black Sea, off Ukraine. In particular, to deter NATO involvement, especially from the US and French aircraft carriers.

At the same time that Russian Navy units supported the invasion of Ukraine, their major warships in the Mediterranean came together. Both of the Slava class cruisers presently there, plus escorts and support ships, were sailing in close formation. They appeared to be sailing to Tartus in Syria where Russia has a base.

The unusual formation is clearly visible in European Space Agency’s (ESA) satellite imagery. An image, taken by the Sentinel 2 satellite at 08:40 UTC today, shows 16 ships. At the exact same time information was flooding in about the opening attacks in the Ukraine invasion.

The formation is only 0.9 miles (1.5 km) across and 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long, meaning that all ships are within visual sight of each other. The ships were already within Syrian territorial waters and heading directly for the port of Tartus. This is Russia’s only overseas naval base. Here the vessels are operating under significant air cover and an air-defense umbrella from Russian bases in Syria.

The closeness of the formation, particularly with two submarines, suggests a photo opportunity. Similar formations are often seen during exercises, but not in wartime conditions. Even if that is the case for the exact maneuver however, the bigger picture remains the concentration of forces at Tartus, possibly for protection and resupply.

All The Ships In One Place
This is the concentration of essentially the entire Russian Navy in the Mediterranean, in one place. Ordinarily these vessels would be operating in distinct groups. Them being where they were showed that, for a moment, neither of the Kilo class submarines were on patrol. Neither the cruisers which are likely causing NATO significant concern.

The Slava class cruisers are primarily anti-ship platforms. For this they are each armed with 16 P-1000 Vulkan supersonic missiles. They also provide respectable area air-defense with 64 S-300F Rif missiles.

Other combatants include two Udaloy Class anti-submarine destroyers, and two general purpose frigates. The frigates, and a Buyan-M class corvette, can all carry Kalibr cruise missiles which is a weapon used in the Ukraine invasion. The Kilo Class submarines can also carry this weapon.

Naval News assesses that it is likely that the ships may have separated again into several groups. Some Russian warships may now sail to the Black Sea to directly support operations there. This will mean transiting the Bosporus Strait through Turkish waters. This will be controversial, and Ukraine has reportedly asked Turkey to close the straits to Russian ships.

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 1:44 pm America's great ally, Israel, refuses to sign UN condemnation of Russian invasion, as US diplomats requested. They claim they are going to mediate the conflict.

Israel is coming around.

'We'll Be on the Right Side of History': Lapid Says Israel Will Back UN Vote Condemning Russia

old salt wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 4:46 pm

jhu72 wrote: ↑Mon Feb 28, 2022 4:18 pm Have to wonder about Algeria in this situation. Tartus has dock space for only 4 ships I think and won't support docking the cruisers apparently. Doesn't sound like it is optimal for supporting what they currently have running around the MED.

Tartus Naval Base

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/20 ... terranean/

Unusual Russian Navy Concentration Seen In Eastern Mediterranean
As the world watches Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there is also a significant and purposeful Russian Navy presence in the Mediterranean. This is part of the same big picture. Today they have been observed sailing close together in an unusual formation.
H I Sutton 24 Feb 2022

Russia has reinforced its naval presence in the Mediterranean, much more than usual. This can be seen as an outer defense layer for naval operations in the Black Sea, off Ukraine. In particular, to deter NATO involvement, especially from the US and French aircraft carriers.

At the same time that Russian Navy units supported the invasion of Ukraine, their major warships in the Mediterranean came together. Both of the Slava class cruisers presently there, plus escorts and support ships, were sailing in close formation. They appeared to be sailing to Tartus in Syria where Russia has a base.

The unusual formation is clearly visible in European Space Agency’s (ESA) satellite imagery. An image, taken by the Sentinel 2 satellite at 08:40 UTC today, shows 16 ships. At the exact same time information was flooding in about the opening attacks in the Ukraine invasion.

The formation is only 0.9 miles (1.5 km) across and 1.7 miles (2.7 km) long, meaning that all ships are within visual sight of each other. The ships were already within Syrian territorial waters and heading directly for the port of Tartus. This is Russia’s only overseas naval base. Here the vessels are operating under significant air cover and an air-defense umbrella from Russian bases in Syria.

The closeness of the formation, particularly with two submarines, suggests a photo opportunity. Similar formations are often seen during exercises, but not in wartime conditions. Even if that is the case for the exact maneuver however, the bigger picture remains the concentration of forces at Tartus, possibly for protection and resupply.

All The Ships In One Place
This is the concentration of essentially the entire Russian Navy in the Mediterranean, in one place. Ordinarily these vessels would be operating in distinct groups. Them being where they were showed that, for a moment, neither of the Kilo class submarines were on patrol. Neither the cruisers which are likely causing NATO significant concern.

The Slava class cruisers are primarily anti-ship platforms. For this they are each armed with 16 P-1000 Vulkan supersonic missiles. They also provide respectable area air-defense with 64 S-300F Rif missiles.

Other combatants include two Udaloy Class anti-submarine destroyers, and two general purpose frigates. The frigates, and a Buyan-M class corvette, can all carry Kalibr cruise missiles which is a weapon used in the Ukraine invasion. The Kilo Class submarines can also carry this weapon.

Naval News assesses that it is likely that the ships may have separated again into several groups. Some Russian warships may now sail to the Black Sea to directly support operations there. This will mean transiting the Bosporus Strait through Turkish waters. This will be controversial, and Ukraine has reportedly asked Turkey to close the straits to Russian ships.

Is the implication of this reporting, which appears to have preceded Turkey's decision, that some of these ships were on their way to support the invasion but will now face blockage by Turkey?

The Slava class cruisers, which are the ships which concern the western allies are not nuclear powered. Gas turbine powered. Only three exist. All three are currently in the MED. These are meant to take on the 3 allied aircraft carriers in the MED.