Scrap Worker Accidentally Fires Howitzer

MKSheppard · Post by **MKSheppard** » 2002-09-13 01:17pm

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2& ... owitzer_dc

Scrap Worker Accidentally Fires Howitzer
Fri Sep 13,11:11 AM ET

KIEV (Reuters) - A Ukrainian scrap metal worker destroyed two roofs and singed his face when he cut into a 1940s howitzer and accidentally fired off a shell no one had noticed was lodged inside, local media reported Thursday.

Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported the worker had heated the metal by cutting the gun and had triggered the shell, which flew about 800 yards. It said there were no other casualties in the central Ukrainian city of Berdychiv.

The news agency also said the company had paid for repairs to the roofs but work at the scrap yard had been stopped after local prosecutors launched a criminal investigation.

Ukraine, situated between Russia and an expanding European Union ( news - web sites), has a huge arsenal of rusting weapons, which often end up in the country's dozens of scrap yards.

Post by **NecronLord** » 2002-09-13 01:22pm

The great thing about the Ukraine is that they supposedly have joint control over russia's baltic fleet, Nice meathod of complying with treatys huh?

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2002-09-13 03:41pm

NecronLord wrote:The great thing about the Ukraine is that they supposedly have joint control over russia's baltic fleet, Nice meathod of complying with treatys huh?

Turkey's Perry's alone currently outgun every active ship in the former Soviet Black Sea fleet combined. There are only three active destroyers and frigates and four corvettes not counting that experimental surface effect one.

Now if they get one of the cruisers running, that’s a whole nother story.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2002-09-13 03:48pm

The black arms market must really thrive in those Baltic states.

Post by **Vympel** » 2002-09-13 10:10pm

Turkey's Perry's outgun the entire Black Sea fleet? Oh come off it Sea Skimmer

In fact, at least one Slava-class cruiser (the Slava; first of class) is present *and* running in the Black Sea Fleet, with a load of 16 Bazalt missiles (SS-N-12 SANDBOX)- supersonic, 550km range. I'd take that over some pissy little Frigates with Harpoons any day, thank you very much. In addition, the last Slava-class cruiser to be built, the Admiral Lobov (to be renamed Vilna Ukraina) is in Ukraine's possession, but has yet to enter service. Russia would also have to supply Bazalt missiles to Ukraine.

Note I am excluding every other ship in the Black Sea Fleet- destroyers, corvettes etc- with their own supersonic long range ASCMs.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2002-09-13 10:24pm

Vympel wrote:Turkey's Perry's outgun the entire Black Sea fleet? Oh come off it Sea Skimmer

In fact, at least one Slava-class cruiser (the Slava; first of class) is present *and* running in the Black Sea Fleet, with a load of 16 Bazalt missiles (SS-N-12 SANDBOX)- supersonic, 550km range. I'd take that over some pissy little Frigates with Harpoons any day, thank you very much. In addition, the last Slava-class cruiser to be built, the Admiral Lobov (to be renamed Vilna Ukraina) is in Ukraine's possession, but has yet to enter service. Russia would also have to supply Bazalt missiles to Ukraine.

Note I am excluding every other ship in the Black Sea Fleet- destroyers, corvettes etc- with their own supersonic long range ASCMs.

The Slava hasn't been to sea in two years, and the only running destroyer with supersonic SSM's can carry just eight, assuming it has any which I doubt.

The only other ship that would have them is the Bora missile corvette, but that’s out of service.

The Baltic fleet is on horrible condition and has in many cases been stripped of weapons and parts, it really is quite outclasses by Turkey's Perry's on the surface. If you bring air power into it, both side's warships get blown away in six hours and then air forces grind each other down.

Raptor 597 · Post by **Raptor 597** » 2002-09-13 10:42pm

Oh, this is rich the former leader of the 2nd World Bloc doesn't even have a Navy

Post by **NecronLord** » 2002-09-14 11:14am

Most of those ships can still fight, they just haven't got the money to keep them at sea, same with their northern fleet. Theres hundreds of subs doing nothing there.

Post by **Vympel** » 2002-09-15 02:00am

Just because some ship's haven't put to sea doesn't mean they're outclassed- for example the original Kirov (Admiral Ushakov now) hasn't been to sea since 1990-91- it had an engine accident IIRC; but it remains in otherwise good condition according to Jane's Fighting Ships and is only awaiting funds for a refit/ modernization (as the first unit its not exactly up to the same standard as say the Admiral Nakhimov or the Peter the Great).

None of the important Russian Navy vessels are rusting in port or anything- the only ships rusting are those old obsolete vessels that have been taken out of service.