What ís going on in Crimea? (2/?)

We were in Yalta, in the famous palace where Churchil, Rosenvelt and Stalin held a famous conference. I talked to a woman selling souvenirs. I asked her, do you have a lot of foreign visitors here. She answered ‘Yes’, I was surprised. Then I realized my mistake, I asked again, ‘Do you have a lot of western tourists here?’ She told me “We used to have, but now almost nothing at all.” I then realised that we might very well be the only westerners in Crimea. How was this possible? – A look into the sanctions targeting the people of Crimea.

Wine from France!

“What kind of wine would you like?”, the waiter asked my friend that ordered wine. And with a smile to accompany her pride, “we have French wines!” To Drink French wine in a restaurant in does not seem very special, but the idea to have French wine in Crimea was indeed really something to be proud of.

After Russian soldiers were actively deployed on Russia and Russia accepted the request of the people living in Crimea to join Russia, western countries were and still are, outraged. Though the word ‘reunification’ is widely used in Russia to indicate that Crimea became part of Russia, the usual word used in the west is ‘annexation.’ Western countries generally interprete the events, not as local deciding in a referendum to join Russia, but by Russia taking over Crimea with Force. From the western countries their perspective something had to be done.

Both the US and the EU responded with a set of economic sanctions. Russia was, for example no longer allowed to borrow money from the EU and US capital market and were certain goods not allowed to be exported to Russia, like equipment needed for oil and gas drills.

In the past, Crimea used to be a place which was welcomed with the presence of Cruise ships. People from all over the world would come to take a make a stop in for example Yalta to see the famous palace that house the Yalta-conference in World War II, not these ships had all but stopped to visit Crimea resulting in a dramatic cut in tourism.

A video popular television clip from 2014 following the events in Crimea. The video gives a sense of how Putin and the counter-sanctions installed by the Russian Federation are perceived in the west.

Bank and Telecommunication services

I knew that it was impossible, but I wanted to try anyway, to see what would happen. We already took our precautions so it did not present any real problem to our trip, but still, I wanted to find out: what would happen if I would use my Dutch bankcard in Crimea? In the short line which happened to be in front of the ATM I noticed that the Russian card were working alright. What about western ones? I put in my card, was even able to type in my security code alright, got in the menu. To my surprise I found out I could even select how much money I wanted to collect. Perfect! More souvenirs! But alas, as soon as the machine was about to hand out the cash, it stated that the action I was about to perform, was not allowed by my bank.

“Excuse us, the operation via your card if forbidden by your bank.
Please contact the contact center of your bank.
Please take your card.”

This is the situation any tourist is confronted with trying to collect money from a western bank, it is not allowed, impossible. It is the result of sanctions imposed by European and US governments on the Crimea. Collecting money anywhere else in Russia is fine, but impossible in Crimea. In fact, all financial services are blocked there. Making payments is very hard if not impossible. Without big sums of cash or a Russian account, it is not possible to stay in Crimea for long.

The same holds true for telecommunications. The two friends I was traveling with tried to call me, just to check whether we could reach each other alright. But we were surprised to find out their card did not work at all, they were blocked. Just as for the use of bank services, the usage of telecommunications is not allowed by European law. Russian cards work alright, it is just a different matter for the European ones.

Also the internet has been turned into a battlespace as apple products would not update in Crimea. At home they worked alright, in Crimea you might better want to trade your mac for windows if you want to travel the internet secure.

Embassy

Running into trouble as a Dutch citizen in Crimea might result in an interesting diplomatic situation. This is already visible from the official travel advice of the Dutch government of anyone traveling to Russia. Crimea is not even on the map of Russia. A persistent traveller might look into the travel advice given for Ukraine. It says there that any traveller going Crimea can only receive “limited consolatory assistance” of the Dutch embassy.

A map found on the wesbite of the Dutch government. Russia is indeed portait without Crimea.

Because the Dutch government does not recognize Crimea as part of Russia, any traveller running into trouble in Crimea might prove to be left alone or might provoke a diplomatic nightmare for European countries. In the latter case, European Countries might need to ask Russia for help in the region and would, to a certain degree, recognize Crimea as being part of Russia.

Conclusions

Any traveling to Crimea is effectively impossible due to western sanction. The blocking of sim-cards, the impossibility to use bank deposites, makes it impossible to travel to Crimea without serious preparations. . This has drastically reduced the amount of tourists, especially from western countries traveling to Crimea. The impossibility to import or export goods to and from Crimea also put additional stress on the local economy and hence population.

The economic warfare western countries wage against the Russian government is initiated to punish the Russian government for, what is perceived in the west, as the ‘illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, from Ukraine.’ So far, there is little sight that Crimea will be part of Ukraine again and the economic warfare waged by the west seems to be for nothing. But just like real warfare, the economic warfare does not commence without making civilian casualties, especially in Crimea.

Sources:

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/reisadviezen/inhoud/oekraine

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/reisadviezen/inhoud/rusland

https://extra.abnamro.nl/internationaal/risicos/wat-betekenen-de-ruslandsancties-een-jaar-later-voor-de-ondernemer/

http://www.rvo.nl/onderwerpen/tools/wet-en-regelgeving/buitenlandse-wetgeving/internationale-sancties/sancties-oekra%C3%AFne/rusland/krim-sancties

What ís happening in Crimea? (1/?)

Europe and Russia have not been closer to war then when Crimea became part of Russia in 2013. The joining of a piece of land, formerly belonging to Ukraine, to Russia enraged many in Europe. Reactions of Russian media however, were rather the other way around. All were claiming, of course, to tell the truth, but it all sounded too hard to believe and I never really made up my mind what to think. There was only one way to find out: travel to nomans land myself. Venture into the part of Russia no western journalist dared to venture. Go to Crimea!

The Euromaidan revolt in Kiev was hailed by many as a revolution for freedom and democracy. People protested peacefully against Viktor Yanukovych, a man widely believed to be corrupt, to have poisoned his political adversaries. People in Ukraine wanted closer ties to Europe and protested against Yanukovych his refusal to sign the agreement. The protests soon turned violent as Yanukovych send his police to beat down the protests. European MP’s came to support the protestors and even the US assistant secretary of state, Victoria Nuland came to the square the hand out bread to support the protests. Democracy and freedom eventually prevailed in the end and the dictator was toppled!

Victoria Nuland (assistant secretary of state) offering bread to Euromaidan protestors

European MP’s Guy Verhofstadt and Hans van Baalen supporting protestors on the Maidan.

But… This was the view generally held in the West. The view was very different in Russia and with the Russian population, including the ethnic Russians in Ukraine. Even though Yanukovych was generally not regarded as a saint, the protesters were seen as far worse. Almost one third of the protesters, in fact the protesters most active, were neo-nazi’s linked to the far rightwing part Pravy Sector and Svaboda. (These right wing protesters were well known for their support for WWII fascists like Stepan Bandera, responsible for the murder of thousands of people.) And while the Maidan was commencing people in support of closer ties to Russia came to Kiev as well to show their support for the government. In some instances, the buses carrying people from as far away as Simferopol were attacked by anti-government protestors. (1)

Oleh Tyahnybok leader of the far-right Svaboda Party (Original)

After the Maidan revolution proved successful, one of the first things Ukraine saw was the destruction of many monuments honouring the Red Army soldiers for the liberation of Ukraine. A move highly controversial for Russians, a country where more than one in ten people would die in World War II. Even worse was the language law that was announced which no longer recognized Russian as an official language in Ukraine.

A WWII monument being removed in Stryi, Ukraine. (Original)

The combination of the Neo-Nazi’s, the destruction of WWII monuments and the prohibition to talk Russian did not make it hard to associate the Euromaidan with WWII. More so, the Maidan was supported by the US and the EU, senior US officials even visited the square. (2) In the many cities all across Ukraine people would go to the streets to protest during and after the revolution against the referendum.

The people in Crimea would take it one step further still as they were trying to organize a referendum for independence from Ukraine. But in the process leading to this referendum, Ukrainian nationalist tried their best to prevent any such actions by the inhabitants of Crimea. Despite that whole trains filled with extremists would travel to Simferopol in the Crimea locals would await them armed with only shields and sticks. And at the night that a similar thing threatened to happen at the airfield of Simferopol unknown Green Men appeared from nowhere.

Polite People (Original)

Though initially Russian president Putin would deny that these “Polite People” were Russian soldiers, later he would admit that they were. These ‘Polite People’ would block any outside interference in the Crimea until the referendum. The people voting ´За´ (for) was in the huge majority. More than 95% of the voters would choose to join the Russian Federation. And so Crimea would join Russia.

Despite I had strong reason to believe people in Crimea were indeed happy to join Russia, it still deemed on me. Were the elections fair? The results seem to be too positive. Russian media portraits as if the Crimeans are too friendly. Meanwhile, no messages about what Crimean locals thoughed are heard in western media, except that the Crimean tartars are unhappy with the decision and strong insinuation that the whole election process was not democratic and Russian control. What to believe? Only one way to find out: Travel to Crimea myself.

To be Continued.

 

 

1 – http://interfax.com/newsinf.asp?id=482757

 

2 – If this does not seem strange to you. Imagine Putin giving public support to a protest that is trying to topple your government. Public outrage would be total.

The Fog of War in Turkey

However much I would like to write about Turkey the situation is completely unclear to me. With the control of state media still seeming to be in control of Erdogan-loyalists no assessment can be made about the current strategical situation. Nor can it be said who staged the coup, it might be the army, but just as well the army might have been staged by Erdogan himself in order to create a climate which allows him to further establish his power basis.

The coup does shed light on the unexplainable moves made by Turkey in the recent past. Having supported the Islamic State by buying and reselling its oil, allowing IS fighters to be treated in its hospitals, shooting down the SU24 jet. A few months later, Turkey suddenly apologizes to Russia for shooting down its aircraft and started to be less hostile to the Kurds fighting in Syria. These sudden shifts puzzled many and indicated that Turkey had either had incompetent political leadership that couldn’t see the consequences of its actions. Now however, these strange moves might very well be the effect of a weak power basis for the political lead of Turkey, forcing them to adjust their policy to the political climate.

Expanding on this possible weak power basis, the coup, whoever staged it, might turn out very beneficial to Erdogan. If Erdogan survives the coup this will give him the political motivation he will need to further purge the armed forces. In the past, already, a group of around 250 men were tried for organizing a coup back in 2003. The alleged conspirators were found not guilty in 2015. This current coup attempt positions the Islamist Erdogan administration better to better deal with suppressing resistance coming from the mostly secular army. Hence, the coup attempt might very well further establish Erdogan’s power basis.

As for now, nothing can be said. For as in any war, the perception of the people who is winning is vital for for who will win. Hence any news channel should be considered a battle field and every news report as a weapon.  For now, it seems as if Erdogan loyalists are in control of media outlets and hence our perception of who is winning the battle. It is yet to be seen who is truly in control of the streets.

 

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32136809

 

Can you walk over that bridge?

Ever since being amazed by the Cтрелка for the first time, I knew one thing for sure: I will run in such a beautiful scenery, I will cross the Ока and I will climb the steep slopes of Нижный. With these thoughts in mind I was planning my trip for since I first arrived. And, when on excursion I saw a new bridge, I knew, this is it. “Can you walk over that bridge?” I asked my teacher. With her ‘yes’, my faith was sealed, my route was planned. The adventure into Russia’s nature’s hidden secret would begin.

The route near the River Ока (prenounced ‘Aká’) was rather rough. Though some pieces were on concrete, large sections went straight through forests with its slopes turned slippery by the recent rain. The grass and bushes stood tall and passages were narrow. Although engineers did their best in order guide the water stream from high up the hill, some small streams could still be seen here and there.

The nature of Russia is stunning, even despite being only very close to the city, the nature was wild and unplanned. In strong contrast to the planned and therefore dull landscape of the Netherlands, Russia’s nature is wild and untamed. And it looked as if people only seldom went there.

The banks of the Ока were rather deserted seen its beauty. Some buildings were present but were mostly deserted. Only in a small village of improvised houses some form of active housing could be seen. Sometimes gates were presented forbidding people to go farther, but with no fences to close the cap, they were not to be taken serious. Only once, at an abandoned shipyard I was somewhat halted when it was written: СТОЙ! ОПОЗДНО! (Stand still, Danger!) But being in Russia and with no people around…it’s better to move ahead.

The most remarkable thing that I found on the bank was perhaps a needle. I know Russia has dealt with a high amount of drug addicts resulting in a very rapid spread of AIDS in the country. I have never seen evidence of that stereotype (Neither of wide spread alcoholism by the way). This was the first time that I have seen something like it and though I feel rather weary to draw conclusions about a country to which I am an alien, it seems as most drug use is hidden.

On the banks of the Ока occasionally a car could be seen, but all of them deserted. I would have expected a last car, parked all the way at the end of a dead end road, positioned right next to a forest to be empty too. But it was not. With both the boy and the girl sitting in the back of the car and the young man tenderly touching the young womans her rear, gave strong hints on what happened, or was about to happen in the car. I could not help but to think about how many young people still live with their parents or in communal housing on universities that might not always allow them the privacy they desire.

Having reached the bridge at last, had gone through my water supply, I knew this run was going to be a tough one. But the prospect of being able to run accros the bridge was exciting. On my right, there would be a fall of more than 50m down, on the right, slow moving traffic due to one of 4 bridges of НН being out for repairs. The river crossing was somewhat saddened by the sight of flowers attached to the bridge half way. It was clear that this was the end of one persons suffering.

The other bank was different, less nature, more people and more traffic. But what struck me was, despite enough high rise buildings being present, parts of the city were filled with small wooden houses which seemed to have not been painted for many years. Might even seem sometimes to be abandoned. Along the same street factories, sometimes hundreds of kilometers long appeared, interchanged with the familiar wooden houses.

By now, it had all but became clear to me that I had greatly underestimated the distance and the difficulty of the terrain I was traversing. And as my feet grew heavier I was the more anxious to find a short cut. Guided by my sense of direction, I would end up in a ‘neighborhood’ of sheds and plated garages. In all directions I was greeted by an whole army of magazines offering to change tires, but no passage to the second bridge over the Ока I was so desprate trying to find for my way was blocked by a small but violently flowing stream.

My salvation was found when I found a passage over the stream I was not able to cross. No bridge, just a big pipe about 4 meters above the stream. I knew, a possible falling, possibly breaking a leg, fast running water and tiredness might well become fatal. But this is Russia, and crazy things have to be done when in Russia. I crossed and judging by these words – successfully.

As I again was walking into normal urban areas I was starting to wonder what people might think of me: Adidas tracksuit, tank top, sunglasses, covered in dirt. I can hardly imagine sometime more Kopnik. Though by now I have grow tired and resulted to running, I did manage to find the strength for the run across the last bridge over the Ока and the climb on the bank.

Eventually home, I found I did not run a distance under the 10km as I thoughed, but covered a distance even above 22km. But, every step had been a new discovery into this unknown and surprising country.

Russian aircraft invade European Airspace

Sukhoi’s will soon roam European airspace. The company primarily known for its world class fighter planes has again set to the skies, but this time with a civil aviation airliner: The Sukhoi Superjet 100. The SSJ100 will be pivotal for the Russian civilian aircraft industry for new Russian civilian aircraft are already in advanced stages of development.

The airplane industry might well be the most heavily regulated and politicized sectors of the economy. Before any aircraft takes to the air it undergoes rigorous testing, must comply with a whole batch of safety certifications. On top of that, due to the high costs of an airplane and maintaining an aircraft industry, any country prefers to see its own planes being sold over those of other countries.

By moving on to the civil aviation market, Sukhoi ventured itself into a new market where it has little to no experience. Futhermore the market is dominated by oligopolies with established positions like Boeing, Airbus, Embraer. Together with the high costs of production and development Sukhoi found itself in a high risk market.

For its construction and development Sukhoi incorperated a non-Russian strategy: it sought help from abroad. Using foreign engines, using expertise in the selling and re-selling of boeing, painting in Italy and many more. The purpose for this strategy is two fold, borrow from the safety reputation of established western producers and at the same time borrow on their experience.

The start of the SSJ100 was rough. Who was willing to buy a Russian airplane? In an article of The New York Times Les Weal analyst of aircraft safety put it clearly: “Historically, Russian aircraft have an image that will take a long time to address (…) It would take a huge leap of faith for an airline to turn to a newcomer.” Already the aircraft was experiencing malfunctions, the first Airliner to use the plane, That, however, was back in 2011.

Enter 2012. On May 9^th the new SSJ100 would take of for a demonstration flight. Aboard was a representation for potential buyers of the aircraft. Despite the flight, no planes would be sold that day: The aircraft crashed. Amongst the 50 or so people aboard, there would be no survivors.

The pilot flying the plane had over 10 000 flying hours on his name, a huge amount. Initial conclusions that were therefor drawn from the crash was that the plane was unsafe. The investigation into the crash would eventually find the pilot and the air traffic controller to blame. They both neglected to take into account the surrounding mountains in combination with the low altitude of the aircraft. When the altitude warning indicator was heard in the cocpit, the pilots were too late to respond. The plane literally crashed into a mountain.

Despite nothing pointed blame towards the Sukhoi airliner, the damage was dealt. And the influence of a good safety reputation is of big importance in the aircraft and airliner industry. For example, very recently Air Malaysia renamed its company as a result of the damage the company had suffered due to the consecutive accidents with the MH370 and MH17.

 Sukhoi 100 Superjet (Sukhoi.org)

The next when months proved to be disastrous for the sale of the aircraft. The resulting financial problems that hit the company would not help either with the sale of the aircraft. As Richard Teal, Vice-President an industry analysis company, would explain to The Moscow Times: “It’s a good jet. [But at the same time, big Western airlines] wondered if the company would go under and leave them with an orphaned product.”

The Russian state would eventually step in in order to save the company. With record amounts of investment, the state would save the company. Would appoint a new director being the deputy minister of industry and would replace most of the managers. The aircraft was ready to take off.

The Sukhoi Superjet was deemed to critical to be let down. The aircraft industry is a strategic sector with gives a good representation of the overall level of development of a country. Hence, the SSJ100 will be Russia’s presentation card for the rest of the world. Also the SSJ100 will be pivotal for the new generation of airliners Russia will produce. Any future Russian airliner to be developed will lean heavily on the SSJ100. Any experience gained in construction and selling the aircraft will benefit new Russian airliners. Also, any new airliner will expand of the reputation the Superjet makes for itself. Hence the project will be critical for the development of the Russian civil aviation industry as a whole.

Despite the rough start Sukoi found itself in, things have seemed to have changed for the better. Mexican aircraft company Interjet, which has already been operating the plane for several years has indicated to be quite contempt with the 30 aircraft it is operating. And since january this year, Sukhoi has found its first European costumer, the Irish airline CityJet. Only this January, CityJet has ordered its first set of planes. Just previous month, in May 2016, the first Superjet was handed over to CityJet.

Now rumors are already on going that Air France might be interested in leasing several planes, via CityJet. It is jet to be seen whether these rumors have any base in reality, but if it has, Sukhoi and the Russian aircraft industry will further establish itself on the airliner market.

New projects are already nearing the end of their development and Russia will soon see its second commercial airliner completely developed and build after the collapse of the Soviet Union take to the air. Presenting the MC-21.

Slowly, Russia seems to establish itself on the civil aviation industry and by doing so further shows the world that its economy is slowly developing away from its dependency of the the oil and weapons industry. Though, not there yet, Russian planes over European skies indicate a new era of Russian aviation and hers economy.

Sources:

http://www.scac.ru/en/products/sukhoi-superjet100/

https://www.aeroinside.com/incidents/type/su95/sukhoi-superjet-100-95

 

http://www.sukhoi.org/eng/planes/projects/ssj100/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CityJet

http://rbth.com/business/2016/02/03/sukhoi-superjet-to-fly-with-air-france_564731

https://www.planespotters.net/production-list/Sukhoi/Superjet-100

http://planes.axlegeeks.com/compare/230-336/Airbus-A320-vs-Sukhoi-Superjet-100-95

http://www.pravdareport.com/russia/economics/04-09-2012/122071-sukhoi_superjet-0/

http://www.businessinsider.com/sukhoi-superjet-100-crash-what-really-happened-2012-6?IR=T

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/business/global/russia-hits-headwinds-in-selling-airliners-to-the-west.html?_r=0

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-s-aeroflot-buys-20-more-sukhoi-superjets/514451.html

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-looks-to-sell-superjet-passenger-planes-to-iran/525724.html

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/is-russias-flagship-superjet-airliner-finally-lifting-off/571198.html

http://rbth.com/business/2015/04/29/russian_aircraft_superjet_100_to_receive_record-breaking_state_aid_45651.html

http://www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl/2016/05/25/eerste-ssj100-95-cityjet-bekent-kleur/

MC-21

Irkut MC-21 – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

http://www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl/2016/06/08/irkut-toont-nieuw-ms21-300-verkeersvliegtuig/

http://www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl/2016/01/20/aeroflot-krijgt-geen-genoeg-van-superjet/

http://www.pilootenvliegtuig.nl/videos/roll-out-irkut-ms-21/