Is the Black Sea Region about to be engulfed by a major conflagration?

In early 2014, Putin forcibly annexed Crimea without encountering any significant Ukrainian resistance.

Bouyed by his Crimean success, Putin then moved against Eastern Ukraine. This time around, the Ukrainians decided to make a half-hearted stand. The Russian-led Ukrainian Separatist offensive eventually ran out of steam. But not after dismembering a significant chunk of Eastern Ukraine from Kiev. And not after Ukrainian Separatists accidentally shot down a Malaysian airliner with a Russian Buk Missile, killing everyone on board.

Today, both of the abovementioned areas have remained under Russian control.

But recent events indicate that, maybe, for not much longer:

Sunday, 11/22/15 - Ukrainian Nationalists blow up transmission towers that bring power to Crimea. The region has no electricity until now.

Tuesday, 11/24/15 - A Turkish F-16 shoots down a Russian SU-24 for violating her airspace near the Syrian border.

Wednesday, 11/25/15 - A Turkish aid convoy was bombed by Russian planes in Northern Syria (in apparent retaliation for the downing of the Russian SU-24).

Wednesday, 11/25/15 - Ukraine stops buying Russian natural gas and closes her airspace to all Russian aircraft.

Thursday, 11/26/15 - Germany announces that she will send Recon Tornadoes, refuelling planes, and a frigate, to "help protect" the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in its air campaign against ISIS in Syria (hhmmm... what can ISIS do against an aircraft carrier?)

Is there an emerging pattern in this series of events?

I would like to say, yes.

It appears that the Black Sea Region is about to be engulfed by a major conflagration.

Hopefully, this will result in the return to the Ukraine of all the territories she lost to Russia last year...

#LiberateCrimea

#SU24Downing

#Ukraine

#GeopoliticalGames

#WorldWarIII