| Thresher01 | 16 May 2022 7:03 p.m. PST |
Apparently the Russians are moving nuclear capable missiles to the Finnish border, in response to their bid to join NATO. link Looks like the US needs to develop the Pershing III, and to loan/lease those to the Swedes, Finns, Ukrainians, Taiwanese, Japanese, South Koreans, and others. |
| emckinney | 16 May 2022 7:17 p.m. PST |
"Looks like the US needs to develop the Pershing III, and to loan/lease those to the Swedes, Finns, Ukrainians, Taiwanese, Japanese, South Koreans, and others." Why? There's no useful connection there, other than putting nuclear weapons within 8 minutes flight time of Russian nuclear ballistic missiles. It's better to yawn at empty posturing. |
| emckinney | 16 May 2022 7:19 p.m. PST |
BTW, responding perfectly symmetrically to an opponent is a sucker's game. |
| Zephyr1 | 16 May 2022 8:56 p.m. PST |
Well, if recent and past history is any indication, and the Russians invade, they'll be Finnished… ;-) |
| Ghostrunner | 16 May 2022 9:34 p.m. PST |
These days I'm not sure the Russian army could defeat the scooter cops at the local shopping mall. |
Fitzovich  | 17 May 2022 2:25 a.m. PST |
From my understanding reading previous statements by the Finnish PM these missiles were always there and they threats were just more BS from the Kremlin. |
| Andrew Walters | 17 May 2022 9:25 a.m. PST |
The Russians were bound to rattle one saber or another in response. This is the lest rattly of the sabers they cold have rattled, so it should be ignored. And by "ignored" I mean "formally protested" and nothing more. |
 Legion 4  | 17 May 2022 9:42 a.m. PST |
Yes, saber rattling posturing, etc., as usual. That is all Putin has left short of using nukes and/or starting WWIII. |
| Griefbringer | 17 May 2022 10:20 a.m. PST |
it should be ignored. And by "ignored" I mean "formally protested" and nothing more. Is there even anything worth protesting here? As far as I am concerned, the Russian military is free to move their missiles and missile units around within their own borders as much as they want. However, I will not take responsibility for any mechanical breakdowns that may take place during such maneuvers. On other news, the Russian foreign minister Lavrov has mame a public statement, where he claims that Finland and Sweden formally joining NATO will not make much of a difference in practice, due to the already existing close contacts between these countries and NATO. Also, the latest statements by Putin seem to indicate that he is now less concerned with NATO membership of Finland and Sweden, though he is still protesting against permanent NATO bases for foreign units being built in these countries (a scenario that currently looks rather unlikely during peacetime). |
| Legion 4 | 17 May 2022 4:59 p.m. PST |
The Russian can, do and will do anything they like within their own border. As both Sweden & Finland are sovereign nations. They can and it appears will join NATO. Regardless, of what the Russians think, etc. If Putin's Russia was a better "neighbor" or "friend". Many former WP nations, Sweden & Finland would not have joined NATO. The Finn Ambassador pretty much said Putin should look in the mirror for who to blame why Finland is joining NATO. I saw the interview. Puton's War has made Russia a pariah to most of the free world. May take sometime well after this conflict is over before Russia will be considered in a good light, etc., … Yes, Vlad … you did this … |
| Bunkermeister | 17 May 2022 6:56 p.m. PST |
I saw one story that said the Finns responded by moving a dozen John Deere tractors to the border. I would think moving your nuclear missiles closer to the border makes them withing conventional artillery range or range of special ops or air assault troops. Maybe not the best idea really. Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog |
| Dragon Gunner | 17 May 2022 9:57 p.m. PST |
|
| Griefbringer | 18 May 2022 9:21 a.m. PST |
I would think moving your nuclear missiles closer to the border makes them withing conventional artillery range or range of special ops or air assault troops. Maybe not the best idea really. Iskander missiles supposedly have range of around 500 km, so there is no particular point in bringing them close to the border if the intent is to actually fire some missiles… I saw one story that said the Finns responded by moving a dozen John Deere tractors to the border. The farmers at the moment are too busy tilling the fields to be able to afford that heavy response. Besides, the tractors would be more likely either Massey-Fergusons or domestically designed and manufactured Valtra-models (in case of an emergency, Finland is not reliant on foreign tractor imports). That said, there is supposedly a new emergency defense plan that involves closing off all the roads on the Finnish side of border with road blocks made of used washing machines. This should be enough to halt any attempted ground invasion on its tracks, as the units involved would stop to loot the washing machines. |
| Legion 4 | 18 May 2022 4:45 p.m. PST |
Just saw on the news, both the Finns & Swedes are meeting with the POTUS. IIRC in a few days or so … |
| Griefbringer | 19 May 2022 9:56 a.m. PST |
I forgot to mention that any Russian unit rattling sabers close to the Finnish border is a unit that is not taking part in the invasion of Ukraine. Just saw on the news, both the Finns & Swedes are meeting with the POTUS. IIRC in a few days or so Already happened earlier today, with president of Finland and the prime minister of Sweden showing up in the White House. Supposedly the meeting was arranged on quite short schedule. |
| Legion 4 | 19 May 2022 5:02 p.m. PST |
He can't have that many forces on the Finn's border, but the simple fact they are there is a plus. For both sides. The Russian poorly lead conscripts won't die a fiery death in an MBT, IFV, etc. in the Ukraine. Like so many others of their comrades. And the Ukraine won't have to kill them … a win-win … Yes, I just saw the footage, and heard the report … Looks like they are going to join NATO. I'm sure Putin will be very pleased to have more NATO nations in that region with another one on his border. Look in the mirror Vlad … this is all on you comrade … |
adds APCs to his Israeli forces.
