Sir, – In reference your editorial "Russian and the Ukraine: sabre rattling resumes" (November 16th). The return of the Russian 41st army units to the Ukraine frontier, following their exercises back in April, was predicted by several defence analysts.
The editorial stated that it was difficult to see what Russia could gain from an invasion. In my own analysis on this subject, “Ukraine on the Edge” posted on Medium.com by the Irish Defence Forces Officers’ Club, I pointed out that Ukraine’s cutting off of the water supply, from the Dnieper river to Crimea, is a major issue.
Apart from supporting separatists in the Donbas region, military action by Russia to secure water for the two million people of Crimea cannot be ruled out.
– Yours, etc,
DORCHA LEE,
(Colonel, retd)
Navan, Co Meath.