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{{Article for deletion/dated|page=Russian invasion of Crimea|timestamp=20140302073417|year=2014|month=March|day=2|substed=yes|help=off}}
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{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Russian military intervention in Ukraine
| conflict = Russian military intervention in Ukraine

Revision as of 17:53, 2 March 2014

Russian military intervention in Ukraine
Part of 2014 Crimean crisis

Map of the Crimean peninsula
Date1 March 2014 – present
Location
Crimea and Sevastopol, Ukraine
Status

Ongoing

  • Russia took effective control over Crimea[1]
Belligerents
 Russia  Ukraine
Commanders and leaders
Pres. Vladimir Putin
Gen. Sergey Shoigu
Gen. Valery Gerasimov
Lt.Gen. Igor Sergun
Vice.Adm. Aleksandr Vitko		 Pres. Oleksandr Turchynov
Minister of Defence Ihor Tenyukh
Chief of the General Staff Mykhailo Kutsyn
Units involved

Russian Armed Forces:
76th Airborne Division
Black Sea Fleet:

GRU Operators

Armed Forces of Ukraine

  • 36th Coastal Defense Brigade [2]
Strength

Black Sea Fleet: 11,000 (including Marines)

Reinforcements: 2,000[2] - 6,000[3]		 unknown
Casualties and losses
0 (no known casualties) 0 (no known casualties)

Russian military intervention in Ukraine began in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, when, on 1 March, Russian troops reportedly seized control over most of Crimean peninsula of Ukraine located on the northern coast of the Black Sea, including civil buildings, airports, and military bases.[4] The same day, the Russian legislature approved the use of the Russian military in Ukraine, while Russian officials continued to claim that their military forces in Crimea were not a breach of existing agreements between Russia and Ukraine.[5] The Ukrainian response has been muted so far, with no military action on the part of Ukraine's government, which was installed in Kiev less than a week before the occupation.

Background

Main article: 2014 Crimean crisis
See also: Euromaidan and 2014 Ukrainian revolution

Political crisis and disturbances in Ukraine culminated in ousting President Viktor Yanukovich who fled from Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, on 22 February 2014 as protesters overthrew his regime and the opposition took control of the capital city and national government. [6] Shortly thereafter, the Ukrainian Parliament Verkhovna Rada voted to restore the 2004 version of the Constitution of Ukraine and impeach the former president, Yanukovich. While on the run, Yanukovich declared his unwillingness to resign and some politicians from Ukraine's east and south regions, including Crimea, declared continuing loyalty to Yanukovych.[7]

On 24 February, Russia recalled its ambassador to Ukraine for consultations.[8] On 26 February, President Vladimir Putin ordered an urgent drill to test the combat readiness of his armed forces across western Russia.[9]

On 27 February, a pro-Russian politician, Sergey Aksyonov, was hastily voted in as Crimea's prime minister when armed men in Russian military uniforms seized government buildings in Simferopol, the capital city of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and ousted the prime minister appointed by the President of Ukraine. Aksyonov declared himself in charge of local military and law enforcement. On 1 March, the acting president of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov decreed the Crimean legislature's appointment of Sergei Aksyonov as unconstitutional. The Crimean legislature has declared its intention to hold a referendum on greater autonomy from Kyiv on 25 May 2014.[10]

Councilors in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, home to the Russian and Ukrainian Black Sea naval fleets, selected a Russian citizen as mayor, as pro-Russian demonstrators chanted "a Russian mayor for a Russian city". Furthermore, Sevastopol's police chief said he would refuse orders from Kyiv.[11] In Sevastopol, Kerch, and other Crimean cities, pro-Russian demonstrators pulled down the flag of Ukraine and replaced it with the flag of Russia.[12][13]

The Russian occupation into Crimea started immediately after the press conference of former President Viktor Yanukovych, held on 28 February 2014 in Rostov-on-Don, near the eastern border of Ukraine, where he called for Putin to "restore order" in Ukraine. Sergey Aksyonov also appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide assistance in ensuring the peace in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Putin swiftly responded and both houses of the Russian legislature (State Duma) voted on 1 March 2014 to send Russian troops into Crimea. [14][15]

Russian occupation

On 26 February 2014, Russian-speaking gunmen in unmarked military uniform, said to be Russian soldiers, established a checkpoint between the major Crimean cities of Sevastopol and Simferopol.[16][17] On 27 February, gunmen in military uniform seized the Crimean parliamentary building and the Council of Ministers building and replaced the Ukrainian flag with the Russian flag.[18]

On 28 February, gunmen accused by the Ukrainian government of being Russian soldiers occupied Simferopol International Airport and Sevastopol International Airport, while Western and independent media reported Russian troop movements in Crimea, including Russian military helicopters moving into the peninsula and Russian Army trucks approaching Simferopol, the Crimean capital.[19][20] Ukrainian officials said Russian forces took over a military airbase in Sevastopol, landed troops at another airbase,[21] and surrounded a coast guard base.[22]

On 1 March, Ukrainian military bases in Crimea were "surrounded and sealed off" by Russian military forces as they seized control of the peninsula. [23] Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the Prime Minister of Ukraine had earlier asked his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan not to let the frigate through the Bosporus strait, according to the Kiev Times.[24] Sixteen soldiers infiltrated the radio-technical company at the Maganome Cape near Feodosiya.[25][26] There was information that the 55th Anti-Air Defense in Yevpatoriya was seized.[25]

On 2 March, a Ukrainian marine infantry detachment stationed around Feodosiya was surrounded by armed men demanding surrender by 9:00AM EET.

On 2 March, the Russian military, without identification, blocked the 36th Ukrainian Coastal Defense unit (Ukrainian Navy) in Perevalne (between Simferopol and Alushta) and demanded the besieged Ukrainian Marines to lay down their arms.[27] The 400 soldiers of the Russian special operations were brought by the ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet BDK "Azov".[28]

On 2 March, 14 Russian Special Operation soldiers attempted to disarm the 191st Training unit of Ukrainian Navy in Sevastopol.[29][30]

There also was an attempt to take over the 39th Training unit of Ukrainian Navy by another 30 soldiers of the Russian Federation.[31] The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine acknowledged seizure of its headquarters of the Azov-Black Sea regional administration and the Simferopol border detachment by the armed Russian soldiers.[32][33]

At around 18:00 (LST) people of the Crimea Front took over the building of Trade Unions in Simferopol and under the flag of Russia announced that they protect the Constitution of Ukraine.[34]

On March 2, 2014 Russian soldiers blocked the Ukrainian military installation А-0669 in Kerch.[35]

On March 2, 2014 the former commander of the Ukrainian Navy Rear Admiral Denis Berezovsky officially announced that he pledged his allegiance to people of Crimea.[36] On March 2, in interview to Hromadske.TV at around 19:30 Yuri Syrotyuk announced that Berezovsky was dismissed from his appointment of commander of the Ukrainian Navy at 12:00 (LST).

The ITV News correspondent James Mates stated that the troops without identification are in fact Russian troops.[37]

Reactions

Crimean response

Crimean Prime Minister Aksyonov asserted control over all security forces in Crimea and appealed to Putin for assistance in maintaining "peace and tranquility". He said officers who disagreed with his decision should resign.[38]

Ukrainian response

Interim Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov accused Russia of "provoking a conflict" by invading Crimea. He compared Russia's military actions to the 2008 Russia–Georgia war, when Russian troops occupied parts of the Republic of Georgia, and the breakaway enclaves of Abkhazia and South Ossetia were established under the control of Russian-backed administrations. He called on Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Crimea and stated that Ukraine will "preserve its territory" and "defend its independence".[39] On 1 March, he warned, "Military intervention would be the beginning of war and the end of any relations between Ukraine and Russia."[40]

On 1 March, Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov placed the Armed Forces of Ukraine on full alert and combat readiness. [41]

As Russia claimed that its occupation of Crimea was aimed at protecting Russians abroad, many[who?] (for ex. [42]) compare the current crisis in Crimea with the Sudeten Crisis of 1938 in Czechoslovakia, which almost triggered the start of World War II.

Leonid Kravchuk, the first president of Ukraine, condemned Russian intervention and occupation of Crimea by Russian forces.[43]

Russian response

Before the beginning of the aggression, Russia recalled its ambassador to Ukraine for consultations.[8] Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly told his US counterpart, Barack Obama, that Russia was acting to protect ethnic Russians and Russian-speakers in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.[44] In Moscow, a meeting took place next to the building of the Ministry of Defense in protest against the Russian intervention in Ukraine. 28 protesters were arrested by the police.[45]

International reactions

  •  United States - Washington officials canceled Barack Obama's trip to the G8 summit in Sochi (Russia), and condemned what they saw as Russian aggression.
  •  Canada - On 1 March, Canada recalled its ambassador from Russia. [46]
  •  Sweden - On 1 March, Swedish PM Carl Bildt make several statements condemning the Russian military occupation that is taking place. [47]
  •  Australia - On 2 March, the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said that Russia's actions in Ukraine were "not the kind... of a friend and neighbour and I think Russia should back off".[48]
  •  New Zealand - On 2 March, New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said the situation was "deeply worrying".[49]
  •  Germany - On 2 March, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged Russia to explain its intentions regarding its troops in Crimea.[50]
  •  Ireland - On 2 March, Irish Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore called on Russia to abide by international law and to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and independence. He described Russian actions as "dangerous".[51]
  •  Japan - On the same day, Fumio Kishida, the Foreign Minister of Japan said his country is concerned about the situation and urged all parties to exercise restraint.[52]
  •  United Kingdom - On 1 March, British Foreign Minister William Hague pulled Britain out of preperation of G8 meetings because of Russia's intervention in Crimea. On 1 March, Mr Hague said the UK would work with international partners to "ensure that reforms by Ukraine are matched by international willingness to provide economic support". [53]

International organizations

  •  United Nations - The UN Security Council held a special meeting on Russia's aggression against Ukraine.[54] Ukraine urged the Security Council to do "everything possible" to stop Russian aggression against the country after the upper house of parliament in Moscow endorsed military action.

See also

References

  1. ^ Ukraine Puts Troops on High Alert, Threatening War. The New York Times. March 2, 2014
  2. ^ a b c Russia Stages a Coup in Crimea. The Daily Beast.com
  3. ^ Dearden, Lizzie (01 March 2014). "Ukraine crisis: Putin asks Russian parliament's permission for military intervention in Crimea". The Independent. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ "Russian troops seize Crimea". POLITICO. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  5. ^ "Russian Parliament approves use of army in Ukraine". The Hindu. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Ukraine Protestors Seize Kiev As President Flees". TIME. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  7. ^ "Ukraine President Yanukovich impeached". Al Jazeera English. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  8. ^ a b Россия отозвала своего посла из-за непонятной ситуации в Украине - Медведев
  9. ^ Putin puts troops in western Russia on alert in drill
  10. ^ "Crimean Tatars Deported by Stalin Oppose Putin in Ukraine". Bloomberg. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  11. ^ "Ukraine: Sevastopol installs pro-Russian mayor as separatism fears grow". The Guardian. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  12. ^ "Demonstrators raise Russian flag in Kerch". Focus News. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  13. ^ "No Ukrainian flags left on Sevastopol administrative buildings". Kyiv Post. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  14. ^ Putin declared war against Ukraine (in Ukrainian)
  15. ^ "Russian Troops Take Over Ukraine's Crimea Region". abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  16. ^ Mark Mackinnon (2014-02-26). "Globe in Ukraine: Russian-backed fighters restrict access to Crimean city". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  17. ^ "Russia flexes military muscle as tensions rise in Ukraine's Crimea - CNN.com". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  18. ^ "Armed men seize Crimea parliament". The Guardian. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  19. ^ "Ukraine crisis: 'Russians' occupy Crimea airports". BBC News. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  20. ^ "Soldier: Yes, I am a Russian - CNN.com Video". Edition.cnn.com. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  21. ^ "Pro-Russia separatists flex muscles in Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula". The Washington Post. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  22. ^ "Ukraine's State Border Guard says coast guard base surrounded by about 30 Russian marines". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  23. ^ "Moscow Seals Off Ukrainian Bases in Crimea". The Wall Street Journal. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  24. ^ http://rt.com/news/ukraine-navy-flaghsip-protest-389/
  25. ^ a b Seizures of military facilities in the Crimea (updated) (PHOTO). Marine portal (Ukraine) website. March 2, 2014
  26. ^ Kryzys na Krymie. Kijów zarządził mobilizację wojsk. Rosjanie wejdą na Ukrainę?. Gazeta Wyborcza. March 2, 2014
  27. ^ Russian forces blocked Ukrainian unit in Perevalne and demand to lay down arms. Ukrayinska Pravda. March 2, 2014
  28. ^ Russian soldiers blocked the 36th coastal defense brigade of the Ukrainian Navy. Marine portal (Ukraine) website. March 2, 2014
  29. ^ Ukrainian officers did not allow capture and extract of arms by special forces of the Russian Federation (Sevastopol). Marine portal (Ukraine) website. March 2, 2014
  30. ^ Russian special forces left the Ukrainian military unit in Sevastopol. Ukrayinska Pravda. March 2, 2014
  31. ^ Invasion of the Russian military inside the Ukrainian military unit. Marine portal (Ukraine) website. March 2, 2014
  32. ^ In Crimea, captured the headquarters of the Azov-Black Sea Regional Administration and Simferopol border detachment of Ukraine State Border Service. State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. March 2, 2014
  33. ^ In Crimea were seized the headquarters of the Ukrainian border guards. Ukrinform. March 2, 2014
  34. ^ ATR TV. atr.ua
  35. ^ Military unit in Kerch is surrounded by Russian soldiers. video. Ukrinform. March 2, 2014
  36. ^ Appointed by Kiev authorities commander of the Ukrainian Navy, took the oath of allegiance to the people of Crimea]. ITAR-TASS. March 2, 2014
  37. ^ Extraordinary stand-off at Crimea military base. ITV News. March 2, 2014
  38. ^ "Crimea PM Takes Control Of Army, Police And Seeks Russian Help". NBC News. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  39. ^ "Turchynov: Russia starts aggression in Crimea". Kyiv Post. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  40. ^ "Ukraine live: Prime Minister of Ukraine says Russian military intervention would lead to war". The Telegraph. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  41. ^ "Ukraine Puts Military on Full Alert After Russian Intervention Threat".
  42. ^ "Peacemaker" Hitler: The unexplored lessons for today - www.radiosvoboda.org
  43. ^ "Путин хочет Третьей мировой войны. Почему люди должны умирать по воле какого-то шизофреника?" - Кравчук
  44. ^ "Russian troops take over Ukraine's Crimea region as Putin gets approval to use military". The Globe and Mail. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  45. ^ "Россия: Общество: Число задержанных на антивоенном митинге в Москве выросло вдвое". Lenta.ru. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  46. ^ Kathryn Blaze Carlson. "Canada recalling ambassador from Moscow over Russian intervention in Ukraine". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  47. ^ "Carl Bildt (carlbildt) on Twitter". Twitter.com. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  48. ^ "Ukraine: Tony Abbott tells Russia to 'back off'". Sydney Morning Herald. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  49. ^ "US warns over Russian occupation of Ukraine". 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  50. ^ "Russian intervention would mean war says Ukraine's prime minister". 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  51. ^ "Tánaiste says Russian forces in Ukraine is a 'dangerous situation'". 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  52. ^ "Ukraine Tells Russia Invasion Means War as Putin Makes Plans". 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  53. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26404584
  54. ^ UN Security Council meets on Ukraine
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