Russia Sends S-400 Missiles to NATO's Borders

[JohnStone]

Russia’s beefing up its air and missile defense systems near its borders with NATO countries, according to local media reports.

This week, Sputnik reported that Russia’s Western Military District is increasing the number of S-400 Triumf and Pantsir-S air defense systems in its area of operations.

"Modern S-400 Triumf long-range air defense systems and Pantsir-S gun-missile air defense systems will be put in service with air defense units of the Western Military District by the end of this year," Col. Oleg Kochetkov, a spokesperson for the Western Military District, said, Sputnik reported.

The S-400 is Russia’s most advanced air and missile defense system, and its deployment in greater numbers along Russia’s borders with NATO could challenge the latter’s ability to achieve air dominance in the event of a conflict with Moscow.

Source

 

[ArmyATC]

Poroshenko says Kyiv increases number of troops in the eastern Ukraine to 60,000

https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poroshenko-says-kyiv-increases-number-of-troops-in-the-eastern-ukraine-to-60000-392142.html

The S400 could effectively cover Russia's border without being moved. So this is to restrict air activity deep into Europe. Don't know how long it will take to get them in position, but with Kiev beefing up troop levels now this..

Wonder if that window of opportunity is starting to close?

 

[JohnStone]

I figured it was in response to the NATO buildup in the East. You make a good point though.

 

[Encyclopath]

The Kiev Post must have the shortest article content in the world. Any idea of what the numbers were at prior to this?

He definitely wants it to appear as if he's capable of ordering a plausible offensive at a time of his chosing. 50/50 odds on it being a bluff.
Do you think he has the capabilities deployed to pull it off?
(especially given that they will have almost no air support apart from medevacs, and maybe not even then)

I calculate their number of close-air support sorties they have available is exactly equal to their inventory of functional combat aircraft. Then divide that by roughly two.

 

[ArmyATC]

The Kiev Post must have the shortest article content in the world. Any idea of what the numbers were at prior to this?

He definitely wants it to appear as if he's capable of ordering a plausible offensive at a time of his chosing. 50/50 odds on it being a bluff.
Do you think he has the capabilities deployed to pull it off?
(especially given that they will have almost no air support apart from medevacs, and maybe not even then)

I calculate their number of close-air support sorties they have available is exactly equal to their inventory of functional combat aircraft. Then divide that by roughly two.

I give him alone a zero percent chance. I believe Poro and the rebels are desperate and one side or the other will try to kick this off in order to drag in NATO and Russia openly.

I dont know what the troop levels were,but by 'increasing' them, Kiev is filling the role nicely of a villain, should TPTB decide to go that way. Or maybe Poro just doesn't care anymore. Regardless, these S-400 is the Russia version of an air dome over Ukraine.

That's why this is concerning. If it appears that Kiev, out of lack of UN support, money, pick your poison; attacks the south (notice I used ''appears'), then Russia would have the pretext it has needed to get the south. Probably Kiev as well.

With the positioning of S400s so close, any decisive NATO help would be non existent. At that point, NATO will have to decide if WWIII is worth saving Ukraine.. Meaning an attack on Russia itself.

Which would benefit both sides equally (Kiev and the rebels). A huge gamble, but one I see as a high probability long-term solution, one way or the othe. When people have nothing to lose, they lose it

Mink is not working. It was designed to not work. My goodness, the Ukrainian government and the world still won't recognize Crimea. Mo matter one's personal opinions on that, it's a BIG sticking point to Russia. So unless NATO is willing to physically evict Russia from Crimea, then admit the loss, but don't drag the whole world into some delusion that Crimea will be reunified with Ukraine one day..

No land access to a part of my country (in Russia's mind) that the world refuses to even see as independent? Not a sustainable scenerio. Plus Kiev still is blockading the south: they won't feed, give water, or medicine, nor hold elections and offer immunity (which Kiev agreed to in Minsk II) to the south. Ukraine is a Russian based economy, therefore no EU trade to speak of.

This was always going to end this way. It was just a matter of how and when. Now it will be a matter of how the world responds after that.

 

[ArmyATC]

I figured it was in response to the NATO buildup in the East. You make a good point though.

Yes. It makes you wonder how many more times Russia and NATO can 'one-up' each other without a war breaking out..

 

[JohnStone]

I figured it was in response to the NATO buildup in the East. You make a good point though.

Yes. It makes you wonder how many more times Russia and NATO can 'one-up' each other without a war breaking out..

Meanwhile, all Americans seem to care about is the banning of the confederate flag and gay marriage. Seriously, my news feed is starting to look like a war broke out between the Confederates and a Skittles factory.

 

[matty1053]

These S400 missiles can cover a HUGE part of Ukraine right? Does the US have any system like the s400? I've heard the s400 can easily whip our jets out of the sky.

I agree Johnstone. Apperently legalizing gay marriage is bigger than world war 3.

 

[JohnStone]

These S400 missiles can cover a HUGE part of Ukraine right? Does the US have any system like the s400? I've heard the s400 can easily whip our jets out of the sky.

I agree Johnstone. Apperently legalizing gay marriage is bigger than world war 3.

Looks like the missile has a range of about 250 miles. Not sure about defenses from it.

 

[matty1053]

These S400 missiles can cover a HUGE part of Ukraine right? Does the US have any system like the s400? I've heard the s400 can easily whip our jets out of the sky.

I agree Johnstone. Apperently legalizing gay marriage is bigger than world war 3.

Looks like the missile has a range of about 250 miles. Not sure about defenses from it.

Good Night,

Yikes! Comparing it to our patriot missile system 70km=43.4 miles range... might run into a bit of a issue. Who knows about the S-400, as I don't recall it being used in actual situations... not training exercises. I must admit, it's very freaky they are placing these right on NATO's borders. Well, if a war would break out... I'm sure our ground troops would take the anti air systems O.U.T.

 

[JohnStone]

These S400 missiles can cover a HUGE part of Ukraine right? Does the US have any system like the s400? I've heard the s400 can easily whip our jets out of the sky.

I agree Johnstone. Apperently legalizing gay marriage is bigger than world war 3.

Looks like the missile has a range of about 250 miles. Not sure about defenses from it.

Good Night,

Yikes! Comparing it to our patriot missile system 70km=43.4 miles range... might run into a bit of a issue. Who knows about the S-400, as I don't recall it being used in actual situations... not training exercises. I must admit, it's very freaky they are placing these right on NATO's borders. Well, if a war would break out... I'm sure our ground troops would take the anti air systems O.U.T.

It's just for show at the moment, tit for tat kinda thing.