Analysis by Russian Defector: Y2K Bug Forced Yeltsin Out NewsMax.com December 31, 1999

Colonel Stanislav Lunev, the highest-ranking military spy to ever defect from Russia, writes an exclusive column for NewsMax.com on Russia, military/espionage matters and foreign policy. Col. Lunev offered his immediate analysis of the breaking news story that President Yeltsin had resigned effective today, handing the Russian presidency to his Prime Minister, Vladmir Putin.

Here are Col. Lunev's Key Points:

Y2K Bug: Last week, key members of Yelstin's inner circle - his family, money backers and political entourage - had a meeting. During the meeting, these members, referred to in mafia language as Yeltsin's "family," were, no doubt, informed about the disaster the Y2K computer problem may hold for Russia.

The family knows that Yeltsin is out of his mind, and has little support in the Russian military. There are fears and concerns of an accidental nuclear war. This is why the U.S. and Russia have sent top-level officers to each others military and nuclear command posts. The family knows that Yeltsin would be unable to handle a crisis involving nuclear weapons and that he would have to be removed, or risk removal by the Russian military.

There will be economic and social disruptions because of Y2K. Yeltsin's family has gotten something of a victory in the Parliamentary elections, and they feel Yeltsin needs to exit before Y2K erupts. Otherwise he risks the wrath and blame of the Russian people if disaster strikes.

Putin: Putin is first and foremost a KGB man. After graduating from Leningrad University, he was shipped to East Germany as an intelligence officer. He was not a good intelligence officer, so he was sent back to Russia and was reassigned to counter-intelligence. After the fall of the U.S.S.R., Putin was assigned by the KGB to work with a rising political star, Anitoliy Sobchak, who went on to become mayor of Leningrad, renamed St. Petersburg. Putin became Sobchak's right-hand man and gained the notice of Yeltsin and the family.

Putin was brought into the Yeltsin government, and made head of the Federal Security Service, the successor agency to the KGB. When Yeltsin sacked Primakov as prime minister, the family turned to Putin. It is widely believed that Putin has promised the family that Yeltsin will not be prosecuted after he leaves office. At the same time the family is said to have incriminating evidence on Putin.

Putin and the future Russia: Putin is an extremely cold-blooded individual. His nickname is "Andropov Jr." -- after the former head of the KGB, Yuri Andropov. Andropov, who died as general secretary of the communist party, was known as one of the most sinister and cunning men in the Soviet hierarchy.

Already Putin has shown with his political and ruthless war in Chechnya that he is willing to sacrifice blood to fulfill his ambitions. He is a hawk. In recent months he has announced a massive increase in the Russian military budget -- by more than 50 percent. He also has returned Russia's nuclear forces to a Cold War footing. More ICBM's have been deployed and test-fired in the past 6 months than in any period since the end of the U.S.S.R.

Putin will show his military muscle to the world. He is aggressive and dangerous. He will do anything to reach his targets.

-- Jon Johnson (narnia4@usa.net), January 01, 2000

Answers

You know what?

F*ck Putin! I will not live my life in fear nor should you all. The cold war was real and we survived under the threat of nuclear holocaust for what, 40 years? We can get on with our lives. He may be ruthles but he is not *mad*. That's all that counts. He can have all the nukes he wants. He won't launch em at us. And if you believe it, too bad for you. It's a big beautiful world out there and you doomers better start enjoying it before it's too late and you get some awful disease and think, "I wish I spent more time enjoying life and less time worrying about armageddon." We pay the pentagon to worry about that crap so we, as common citizens can go about our lives being productive and happy.

Please no more doom!

And enjoy the new year, Mike

-- Mike (mike@noemail.net), January 01, 2000.

Thanks for the info Jon

Had already done most prepping before I found this forum -- stayed here because I found so much info re politics and international news, some being relayed from news organizations, some personal opinions and some history lessons. Plan to stay as I believe the volitility of the world is something to be watched very carefully and appreciate different points of view, sorry I despise hearing about what those in Hollywood are up to every minute nor a second by second play of all the financial markets and that seems to be what all news media has become. Hope those that contributed in the past re: world events will continue to do so (especially info re: US politics and the continual loss of our liberties ever so gradually). Someway, somehow I plan to stay informed as to events that unfold.

-- claurann (claurann@aol.com), January 01, 2000.

I'm so tired of these stupid articles and those that like to post them.

I'm telling you one time only and try to learn from this. Each and every powerhead in Russia has one goal and one goal only. That is to keep the pipeline of aid flowing from suckers like us and to make sure their pockets are getting full.

In one sentence the article says Putin is cunning and intelligent. Does that mean he's going to cook the golden goose? or keep the pipeline to his pockets open?

-- Guy Daley (guydaley@bwn.net), January 01, 2000.

Strictly opinion here. Russia wanted to minimize the tension being felt with the US. We brought out our State Dept. people. This is not a good sign at any time. Yeltsin was ratteling his saber too much and scaring everyone. Yeltsin did not volunteer to resign. The party decided that it was time to send a message to the US, et. al. and that message was, "Don't worry, we have it under control. There will be no shooting tonight."

The three scuds? Well the Russians had their officers in our NORAD facility, what better opportunity to check out just how good our sensors are... so...

The oldest game in town.

-- Michael Erskine (Osiris@urbanna.net), January 01, 2000.

I don't think there is any longer an immediate threat of nuclear attack. Russia and China seem to have made the rollover with their basic infrastructure in good shape and the pressure is off for immediate action. Russia can now focus on continuing the deployment of its new weaponry and stabilization of its borders while China utilizes American trade money to build up it's nuclear and naval forces to superpower levels. Iran will also continue its nuclear program and will probably field funtioning warheads within two years. I don't see much of a threat until the years 2003-2005 at this point, unless the North Koreans or the Pakistan -India situations boil over.

Russia will probably ratify Salt II and force the United States to even further cut its warhead deployment while their modernization and Chinas buildup continue unabated. North Korea will also continue pursuing their nuclear program, and Saddam Hussein will continue to be a thorn in our side. When the communist forces reach a level of overwhelming joint superiortiy, and prior to deployment of a US missile shield, will be the next window for an attack.

-- Nikoli Krushev (doomsday@y2000.com), January 01, 2000.