Putin seems to have realized that.
SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine  Tensions mounted on the eve of a secession referendum here in Crimea as helicopter-borne Russian forces made a provocative incursion just outside the peninsulaÂs regional border to seize a natural gas terminal, while American and European officials prepared sanctions to impose on Moscow as early as Monday.
The military operation by at least 80 troops landing on a slender sand bar just across from CrimeaÂs northeast border seemed part of a broader effort to strengthen control over the peninsula before a referendum Sunday on whether its majority Russian-speaking population wants to demand greater autonomy from Ukraine or break away completely and join Russia. Whatever its tactical goals, the seizure of the terminal sent a defiant message to the United States and Europe and underscored that a diplomatic resolution to RussiaÂs recent takeover of Crimea remains elusive.
[...]
First they came for the gas, then they came for the electricity, then they came for the water...
:-(
Cheers,
Scott.
