Getting Stuck on a Ukrainian Battleship: Russian Roulette in Ukraine

VICE News

6 Mar 201411:51

Summary

TLDRThe video script details a shift in Russian strategy, with local pro-Russian groups taking the forefront while the military steps back, claiming local support. President Putin's televised statement about Crimea's self-defense forces is questioned. The script describes a tense scene at the Russian Black Sea Fleet's headquarters, where press inquiries are directed to Moscow. It also features a Russian biker gang leader with personal ties to Putin. The video captures the complex dynamics between the Russian Navy and the blockaded Ukrainian naval ship, Slavutych, illustrating the sailors' defensive measures and the somber mood aboard during an Orthodox prayer service.

Takeaways

🔄 Russian military stepping back and local pro-Russian groups stepping forward indicates a shift in strategy.
📺 Russian President Putin's televised statement about high-powered rifles being part of Crimea's self-defense forces lacks evidence.
🤝 Russian soldiers assisting Ukrainian sailors with food, while local self-defense forces attempt to prevent deliveries.
🚸 Difficulty in obtaining comments from the Russian Black Sea fleet, with all questions directed to Moscow.
🏰 The Russian Black Sea fleet has a long history, dating back to the 18th century, with a complex post-Soviet division between Ukraine and Russia.
🛳️ The Russian Navy's current actions involve blockading Ukrainian ships, preventing movement within the port.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Ukrainian naval ship 'Slavutych' is under blockade, with Russian Navy restricting movement in the harbor.
🎥 Filming restrictions by Russian soldiers, suggesting a controlled narrative of the situation.
🤔 Conflicting orders from soldiers regarding the defense force of Crimea and the Ukrainian defense Ministry's authority.
🛡️ Ukrainian Navy's defensive measures on the flagship 'Slavutych', including hanging mattresses to deter sniper visibility.
🙏 An Orthodox prayer service on the ship reflects the mood and morale among the Ukrainian sailors.

Q & A

What change in strategy has been observed in the Russian military's actions in Crimea?
-The Russian military has stepped into the background, allowing local pro-Russian political groups to take the forefront, giving the appearance that the actions are supported by the local population.
What did President Putin claim about the armed individuals in Crimea?
-President Putin claimed that the armed individuals are self-defense forces from Crimea, despite there being no substantial evidence to support this claim.
How have Russian soldiers interacted with Ukrainian sailors in this situation?
-Russian soldiers have helped Ukrainian sailors by passing food through windows, while local self-defense forces are preventing the delivery of packages to the sailors.
What challenge did the reporter face when trying to contact the Russian Black Sea Fleet's press service?
-The reporter had to visit the base, dial a number, and then wait for an answer that never came, indicating a lack of communication or unwillingness to respond.
What was the response from the Russian Black Sea Fleet's press secretary?
-The press secretary stated he did not have the authority to comment and that all inquiries must go through Moscow.
Who is 'the surgeon' and what role does he play in this scenario?
-'The surgeon' is the leader of a Russian biker gang known to support pro-Russian forces, and he personally knows President Putin.
What historical significance does the Russian Black Sea Fleet have in Crimea?
-The Russian Black Sea Fleet has been based in Crimea since the 18th century. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, it was divided between the Ukrainian and Russian Navies.
How has the Russian Navy affected Ukrainian naval operations in the port?
-The Russian Navy has blockaded Ukrainian ships, preventing them from moving around the port or leaving.
What confusion exists regarding the authority of forces in Crimea?
-There is confusion as some soldiers claim to be part of the Crimean defense force, while others cite orders from the Ukrainian defense ministry, leading to mixed messages and uncertainty about their true authority.
How are the Ukrainian sailors aboard the Slavi responding to the blockade?
-The Ukrainian sailors have placed mattresses around the ship's perimeter to shield against Russian snipers and are holding an Orthodox prayer service, reflecting a defensive and solemn mood.

Outlines

00:00

🇷🇺 Shifts in Russian Strategy in Crimea

The Russian military has recently taken a backseat, allowing local pro-Russian political groups to step forward, presenting the narrative that these actions are locally supported. President Putin claimed on TV that the armed individuals are local self-defense forces from Crimea, despite a lack of evidence. Russian soldiers assisted Ukrainian sailors with food, while self-defense forces restricted package deliveries. The Russian Black Sea Fleet's press service, when contacted, directed all queries to Moscow, illustrating the tight control over information dissemination. The fleet's headquarters are substantial, and a notable supporter, known as 'the surgeon,' a leader of a Russian biker gang, is closely connected to Putin.

05:10

🚢 Naval Tensions in Crimea

The Russian Black Sea Fleet, stationed since the 18th century, now faces a divided post-Soviet Union landscape, with both Russian and Ukrainian sailors who once served together now in opposition. The Russian Navy has been blockading Ukrainian ships, preventing their movement within the port. Despite efforts to film the situation, Russian soldiers obstruct access. Confusion reigns as different soldiers claim authority under various commands, highlighting the chaotic nature of the conflict. The Ukrainian Navy invited the crew to witness an orthodox prayer service aboard their flagship, Sluti, underscoring their defensive stance with makeshift barriers against potential sniper attacks.

10:28

🛥️ Onboard the Ukrainian Flagship

The Ukrainian naval ship, Sluti, is under blockade by the Russian Navy, which is preventing any Ukrainian ship movements in the harbor. Efforts to document the scene were met with resistance from Russian soldiers. There is a contradictory presence of soldiers claiming different authorities, adding to the complexity of the situation. The Ukrainian Navy has requested the crew's presence to witness an ongoing orthodox prayer service, symbolizing the crew's defensive and somber mood as they prepare for potential conflicts.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Russian strategy

The term 'Russian strategy' refers to the military and political tactics employed by Russia in a given context, which in the video, has seemingly evolved to involve local political groups rather than direct military action. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses the shift from overt military presence to a more subtle approach, with local pro-Russian groups taking a more prominent role, as mentioned when the script states that 'the Russian military have stepped into the background and local political pro-Russian groups have stepped forward.'

💡Self-defense forces

In the video, 'self-defense forces' are described as groups claiming to be from Crimea and armed with high-powered rifles, purportedly for local defense. This term is significant as it relates to the narrative of local support for Russian influence, as stated by Putin in the script: 'those guys with high-powered rifles are actually self-defense forces from Crimea.' However, the script also casts doubt on this claim due to the lack of evidence.

💡Ukrainian Sailors

The 'Ukrainian Sailors' are part of the Ukrainian Navy and are mentioned in the context of receiving help with food from Russian soldiers. This term is important as it humanizes the individuals involved in the conflict and illustrates the complex interactions between the two sides, as shown in the script where it is mentioned that 'the Russian soldiers actually helped the Ukrainian Sailors get their food through the window.'

💡Russian Black Sea Fleet

The 'Russian Black Sea Fleet' is a key military entity in the video, with its headquarters serving as a location for the reporter's attempts to gain commentary on the situation. It is historically significant, having been based in the area since the 18th century, and is currently involved in the blockade of Ukrainian ships, as highlighted in the script: 'the Russian Black Sea fleet has been based here since the 18th century... what the Russian Navy's been doing is blockading these Ukrainian ships from moving around the port or leaving.'

💡Press service

The 'Press service' in the video represents the communication channel through which the reporter attempts to get official comments from the Russian military. It is relevant to the theme of seeking understanding and transparency in the situation, as depicted in the script where the reporter describes the process of trying to reach the 'Press service' and ultimately being told that 'all questions have to go through Moscow.'

💡Biker gang

The 'Biker gang' mentioned in the video is a group of Russian bikers led by a person known as 'the Surgeon,' who is said to personally know Vladimir Putin. This group is significant as it adds an element of grassroots support for the pro-Russian forces and illustrates the diverse actors involved in the conflict, as noted in the script: 'he's come here to support the pro-Russian forces this biker gang has a lot of people around the various Ukrainian ad rtion buildings and military bases.'

💡Blockade

A 'blockade' in the context of the video refers to the action taken by the Russian Navy to prevent Ukrainian ships from moving within the harbor or leaving. This term is crucial to understanding the military tactics being employed and the restrictions placed on the Ukrainian Navy, as described in the script: 'the Russian Navy isn't allowing any of the Ukrainian ships to move around the harbor.'

💡Ukrainian naval ship

The 'Ukrainian naval ship' named Slavage is highlighted in the video as being under blockade by the Russian Navy. This term is important as it provides a specific example of the blockade's impact on the Ukrainian military, as mentioned in the script: 'we've come to have a look at the Ukrainian naval ship which is under blockade right now it's called the Slavage.'

💡Orthodox prayer service

The 'Orthodox prayer service' is an event taking place aboard the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy, the Sluhi, and is used in the video to convey the mood and morale of the sailors. This term is significant as it reflects the cultural and spiritual aspects of the sailors' experience amidst the conflict, as illustrated in the script: 'the Ukrainian Navy asked us to come down here because they've got an orthodox uh prayer service going on, right now this ship the sluti.'

💡Defensive mode

The term 'defensive mode' is used in the video to describe the state of the Ukrainian flagship, indicating that they are prepared for potential attacks by making it difficult for Russian snipers to see their activities on board. This concept is key to understanding the strategic measures taken by the Ukrainian Navy in response to the conflict, as depicted in the script: 'they've hung their mattresses around the perimeter so it's harder for the Russian snipers up there, to see what they're doing on board.'

Highlights

Russian military stepping into the background and local pro-Russian groups stepping forward.

Russian President Putin's statement on self-defense forces from Crimea.

Russian soldiers assisting Ukrainian sailors with food while local self-defense forces prevent packages.

The attempt to get the Russian military's perspective from the Black Sea Fleet headquarters.

Challenges in contacting the Russian press service due to lack of response.

Russian Black Sea Fleet's press secretary's lack of authority to comment and requirement to go through Moscow.

Presence of the 'Surgeon,' leader of a Russian biker gang supporting pro-Russian forces.

Historical context of the Russian Black Sea Fleet and its division post-Soviet Union.

Current crisis bringing former comrades from both navies against each other.

Russian Navy's blockade of Ukrainian ships in the port.

Attempts to film the blockaded Ukrainian naval ship 'Slavutich' and restrictions faced.

Confusion over authority between Crimean defense forces and the Ukrainian defense Ministry.

Ukrainian Navy's invitation to witness an orthodox prayer service on the ship.

Defensive measures taken by the Ukrainian flagship 'Slavutich' against potential snipers.

The mood aboard the ship indicated by the prayer service.