Earlier reports by Russian media about peaceful takeover of the military units by forces loyal to the Crimean government were denied by the Ukrainian defense ministry.
However, Crimean authorities said that most of the Ukrainian units sided on Sunday with pro-Russian forces “without a single shot fired,” and warned the commanders of a few units that remain loyal to Kiev that they would face criminal action if refused to surrender.
“I would like to warn commanders who force their subordinates to commit illegal actions that they will be punished according to existing laws,” Crimea’s Prime Minister Sergei Aksenov said in a statement.
The Crimean government said earlier that some 10 warships from the Ukrainian navy left their naval base in Sevastopol apparently on orders from Kiev............http://en.ria.ru/russia/20140302/188027471/Crimean-Authorities-Confirm-Takeover-of-Military-Units.html
2/3/14
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- Commander of the Ukrainian Naval Forces Denis Berezovsky said Sunday that swore allegiance to the Crimean people.
"I, Denis Berezovsky, swear allegiance to the people of Crimea and undertake to protect them, as required by statute," Berezovsky said at a press conference in Sevastopol.
Voice of Russia, RIA
2/3/14
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Soldiers of Ukrainian army garrisons stationed in Crimea come over to autonomy's side...
ReplyDeleteA huge of number of soldiers from Ukrainian garrisons blocked by Crimean self-defense forces in the north Crimean town of Feodosiya and the village of Perekopskoye near Simferopol have been coming over to the side of the Crimean autonomy, Crimea’s First Vice-Premier Rustam Temirgaliyev said on Monday.
Temirgaliyev noted that similar processes had been underway in the Feodosiya, Simferopol and Perevalinsky garrisons where a considerable number of servicemen had wished to join the self-defense forces on Monday.
“At present, servicemen have been quitting the Ukrainian army in huge amounts. Dozens of soldiers are ready to be sworn in to the loyalty of the people of Crimea. Today, we are welcoming the soldiers who are leaving the Ukrainian army. We are offering them to join Crimea’s people’s self-defense units instead,” Rustam Temirgaliyev went on to say.
Temirgaliyev, however, has described the situation in Crimea as generally calm. No armed conflicts have been registered in the autonomy’s territory, he said....................http://en.itar-tass.com/world/721855
3/3/14