A Whole New Level of Scrapping

Bespokoyny

Russian Navy Commander Stole Two 13-Ton Bronze Propellers From His Own Destroyer

The Russian Navy says that a former commander of the now-decommissioned Sovremenny class destroyer Bespokoynyy conspired with others and stole the ship's two bronze propellers while it was in dry dock being converted into a floating museum. The alleged caper sounds like it was ripped straight from the plot of a comedic Hollywood heist movie, with the thieves reportedly swapping out the pair of screws, each weighing approximately 13 tons, for ones made out of a cheaper metal.

Russian media outlet Interfax reported on Jan. 11, 2021, that Sergei Sharshavykh, head of the military investigation department of the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet, confirmed that the investigation into the theft was nearly complete. The names of the former commander of the Bespokoynyy, or any of their accomplices, and what kind of jail time or fines they might be facing, were not disclosed. The two propellers are valued at approximately 39 million rubles, or just over $522,513 at the rate of exchange at the time of writing.

Sharshavykh, the Russian Navy investigator told Interfax that, to "cover their tracks," those involved in the theft had imitation screws made up, the "cost and quality of which are several times lower" than the original bronze ones.

On the other hand.

It's unclear when the theft took place, but Sharshavykh said that happened after Bespokoynyy arrived at Yantar in 2016 for conversion into a museum ship as part of its decommissioning from the Russian Navy. That process included remove the destroyer's two propellers, as well as its driveshafts, and sealing the hull in such a way as to allow it to remain afloat, but without the need for regular maintenance.

So at least no sailor were endangered.  

 

Monday Morning Eyeful

Килина Лера



The Wombat snuck Rule 5 Monday: Chris Noel in a day late.

A Cold Splash for Tuesday

A bit of elaboration on a story I saw on Instapundit: Young Russian ice swimmers take frigid plunges seeking health benefits and a rush

Instagram user Victoria Tsuranova shares photos and videos of herself diving into frigid water through a hole cut in the ice. She swims a few strokes, emerges and flashes a smile at the photographer capturing the moment for her 103,000 followers.

Tsuranova, a fitness blogger, is one of a new generation of Russian “Walruses,” hardy swimmers who plunge into frozen rivers and lakes throughout the winter.

To be fair to the Russians, we have this kind of weirdness here in the US too, even in the Chesapeake Bay.

These brave swimmers swear it wards off not just colds but also cellulite, as well as giving them a rush of euphoria, AFP News reports.

“After the swimming, my skin is softer than baby's skin, I can’t even describe it,” Tsuranova said in an email to AccuWeather. “And the main purpose are emotions! I feel rush, adrenaline and hormones of happiness (haven't got time to search the word in English)!” she added.

Tsuranova also said that she doesn’t remember the last time that she was sick.

No cellulite here!

A much better video here, but I con't know how to embed it. A one time stewardess from Aeroflot, Victoria also posts pictures from fairer climes.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Monday: Michelle Malkin ready and waiting for your digital pleasure.

Got a Backyard Squirrel Problem?

It could be worse. Be happy you don't live on Novaya Zemlya: Russian Arctic Islands Sound Emergency Over "Invasion" By Polar Bears

A Russian Arctic archipelago on Saturday declared an emergency situation over an "invasion" of dozens of aggressive polar bears that have entered homes and public buildings.

Russia's northeastern Novaya Zemlya archipelago, which has a population of around 3,000 people, has appealed for help to tackle "a mass invasion of polar bears into inhabited areas," regional authorities said in a statement.

Russian authorities have so far refused permission to shoot the bears but are sending a commission to investigate the situation and have not ruled out a cull.

Polar bears are affected by global warming with melting Arctic ice forcing them to spend more time on land where they compete for food.

They are recognised as an endangered species in Russia and hunting them is banned.

Russia has air force and air defence troops based on Novaya Zemlya.

Since December, 52 polar bears have regularly visited the archipelago's main settlement, Belushya Guba, with some displaying "aggressive behaviour," local official Alexander Minayev said in a report to regional authorities.

This included "attacks on people and entering residential homes and public buildings," said Minayev, the deputy chief of the local administration.

"There are constantly 6 to 10 bears inside the settlement," he said.

"People are scared, they are afraid to leave their homes... parents are frightened to let their children go to schools and kindergartens."

The head of the local administration Zhigansha Musin said that the numbers of polar bears were unprecedented.
"I've been on Novaya Zemlya since 1983 and there's never been such a mass invasion of polar bears," he told regional officials. 

Bears are constantly inside a military garrison and "literally chase people" he said as well as going into the entrances of blocks of flats.

Local officials complained that measures to scare off polar bears such as vehicle and dog patrols have not been effective as polar bears feel secure and no longer react.

The federal environmental resources agency has refused to issue licences to shoot the most aggressive bears.

A working group of regional and federal officials is set to visit the archipelago to assess the situation and the measures taken so far.

The Arkhangelsk regional authorities, which oversee Novaya Zemlya, said that if all else failed "shooting the animals could be the only possible forced measure."

In January, a defence ministry official said that hundreds of disused military buildings had been demolished on Novaya Zemlya because polar bears were settling inside them.

We have wildlife problems in Slower Maryland, but, thankfully, Polar Bears ain't one of them.

Linked by EBl in Gilly Is Coming, The Game of Thrones Reunion We Want To See,  National Cheddar Day and Hot Lincoln Babes.

Just Proving Her Collateral

Woman Takes Clothes Off in Front of Bank Manager in Attempt to Secure a Loan

After being refused a loan at a bank in Kazan, Russia, a young woman tried to convince the bank manager to approve the loan by stripping in front of him.

Yulia Kuzmina, who is reportedly in her mid-20s, went to a bank in Kazan, the capital city of The Republic of Tatarstan in western Russia, to secure a loan for a new car. She filled out all the necessary forms, but her application was denied after the bank’s analysis determined that she was an unreliable borrower. After pleading with the loan manager, Kuzmina decided it was time for desperate measures and started taking her clothes off in front of him.

So, all I want to know is how much she was asking for.

Is this the same Yulia Kuzmina?



Probably not.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Naomi Wu up on time and within budget.

Blades of Glory?

From Ace's: So There's a Real-Life Female Chazz Michael Michaels

Below, her routine. What makes this feel like a Blades of Glory tribute all the more is the cheesy, on-the-nose musical selection -- the female equivalent of Chazz Michael Michaels skating to Billy Squier's The Stroke.

On the other hand, she's pretty cute so I'll allow it.

I like it!

Elizaveta Tuktamsheva:

Wombat-socho has Rule Five Sunday: Good Night, Sweet Princess ready at The Other McCain.

Not Florons

But these guys should consider emigrating to Florida:



Found at Ace's "Weird News Dump."

Bangin' on the Bongos. . .

Olga Podluzhnaya:

Thanks to Fish Magnate.

Wombat-socho has "Rule 5 Sunday: January Jones" finished on time and within budget.

Friday's Eye Opener From Russia With Love

Strange Russian Band "Little Big"



Wombat-socho has "Rule 5 Sunday: J Is For Joan Jett" ready at The Other McCain.