The Ukraine crisis: Russia may halt (START) strategic weapons inspections, revert to Cold War tactics

This is perfect timing, for Russia that is, since the USA is conveinently suiciding itself militarily by reducing its strategic nuclear deterrance — which also outdated and hasn’t seen anything new in weaponry since the early 90’s/late 80’s.

Russia ratcheted up international tensions over Ukraine by a big notch Saturday, March 8, the day after mobilizing air and coastal defenses for a large-scale month-long drill to prevent the disruption of the May 16 Crimean referendum. The defense ministry in Moscow announced: “Russia is considering halting foreign inspections of its strategic weapons arsenal, including nuclear-capable missiles, in response to “threats” from the United States and NATO over the Ukraine crisis.

Lines of tanks were seen Saturday heading from Russian bases towards Crimea.

A high-ranking defense ministry official in Moscow, who was not named, released this statement to all Russian news agencies: “The unfounded threats towards Russia from the United States and NATO over its policy on Ukraine are seen by us as an unfriendly gesture that allows the declaration of force majeure circumstances.”

Russia reportedly seizes a Ukrainian military base, begins air drills in Crimea

For additional information from a second source, please see the following article: Report: Russian soldiers storm Ukrainian military base in Crimea

Armed men believed to be Russian seized a Ukrainian military base in Crimea Friday, triggering a standoff but no gunfire in the latest incident of escalating tension in the flashpoint peninsula.

The move followed reports earlier in the day that Russia had begun large-scale air defense drills.

Witnesses say Russian troops broke through the gate of a missile defense base with a military vehicle, trying to break into a command post, but no shots were fired, Interfax Ukraine reported.