Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 20:58, 4 March 2014

This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. Feel free to improve this article or discuss changes on the talk page, but please note that updates without valid and reliable references will be removed. (March 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

It has been suggested that this article be merged into 2014 Crimean crisis. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2014.

Russian military intervention in Ukraine
Part of the 2014 Crimean crisis
Crimea   Rest of Ukraine
Date 27 February 2014 (de facto) – present Location Crimean peninsula, Ukraine Status Ongoing Russia takes effective control over Crimea Covert operations conducted by the Russian special forces
Belligerents
Russia	Ukraine
Commanders and leaders
Vladimir Putin Sergey Shoigu Valery Gerasimov Igor Sergun Aleksandr Vitko	Oleksandr Turchynov Ihor Tenyukh Mykhailo Kutsyn Serhiy Hayduk
Units involved
Russian Armed Forces: 76th Airborne Division Black Sea Fleet: 810th Marine Brigade GRU Operators	Armed Forces of Ukraine: Ukrainian Navy 36th Coastal Defense Brigade Ukrainian Sea Guard Ukrainian police Internal Troops
Strength
Black Sea Fleet: 11,000 (including Marines) Reinforcements: 2,000 – 6,000 Total: 16,000	~ 3,500
Casualties and losses
none	1 injured (concussion) 50 border guards captured 1 admiral defected

Beginning on 27 February 2014, Russian troops seized control of most of the Crimean peninsula in the southeastern area of Ukraine. Amidst rising tensions in the region as part of the Ukrainian revolution — and as the newly installed government in Ukraine started to distance itself from Russia — Russia, after receiving a written request from the ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, moved troops into the Crimea in order to protect its geopolitical interests in the region, including the Russian civilians and military already stationed there.

The Ukrainian response has been muted as its leaders try to find a diplomatic solution with military reaction confined to activating the armed forces and reserves. Russia, however, vowed that its troops would stay until the political situation has been "normalized"; something expected to happen when Crimea holds a referendum on 30 March 2014 where its people will vote on whether Crimea shall attain greater autonomy by continuing to be part of Ukraine "on the basis of agreements and treaties". At the international level, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union condemned Russia, accusing it of breaking international law and violating Ukrainian sovereignty.

Background

On 22 February 2014 protesters overthrew the administration President Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition took control of the capital city and national government. Soon after Yanukovych fled from Kiev, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) voted to restore the 2004 version of the Constitution of Ukraine and impeach Yanukovych. While on the run, Yanukovych refused to resign and some politicians from Ukraine's east and south regions, including Crimea, declared continuing loyalty to Yanukovych.

On 23 February, following the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, the law on languages of minorities, including Russian, was abolished, making Ukrainian the sole state language at all levels. The The Christian Science Monitor reported: "The cancellation of this language law only served to infuriate Russian-speaking regions, who saw the move as more evidence that the anti-government protests in Kiev that managed to topple Mr. Yanukovych's government were intent on pressing for a nationalistic agenda. It only deepened tensions in Crimea, for example, where the idea that the protesters on Maidan were radical fascists." On 1 March 2014 the bill repealing the law was vetoed by Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov.

On 27 February, a pro-Russian politician, Sergey Aksyonov, was elected as Crimea's prime minister. Armed men, dressed in Russian-like military uniforms but which did not bear distinctive insignia recognizable at a distance as required by the Geneva convention, 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 Aksyonov as unconstitutional, as the position of prime minister is appointed by the president of Ukraine, and not elected by parliament. The Crimean legislature has declared its intention to hold a referendum on greater autonomy from Kiev on 25 May 2014, a move which Hatidzhe Mamutova, the head of the League of Crimean-Tatar Women, called illegal.

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 Kiev. In Sevastopol, Kerch, and other Crimean cities, pro-Russian demonstrators pulled down the flag of Ukraine and replaced it with the flag of Russia in clashes with city officials.

Russian units began moving into Crimea almost immediately after the press conference of former president 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. During the conference Yanukovych insisted that military action was "unacceptable" and that he would not request Russian military intervention. Still on 4 March 2014 Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin demonstrated a photocopy of a letter allegedly signed by Victor Yanukovich on 1 March 2014, to support their assertion that Yanukovich had demanded Russian military intervention in Ukraine. Aksyonov also appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to provide assistance in ensuring the peace in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Both houses of the Russian legislature (Federal Assembly) voted on 1 March 2014 to send Russian troops into Crimea.

Strategic importance

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea occupies most of the Crimean peninsula with only the Strait of Kerch separating it from Russia to the east by a short 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). The republic is and operates as an autonomous republic with its own constitution even though it belongs to the Ukraine. Many Russian civilians and service members reside and operate in it. As tensions escalated in the region, Russia intervened under the justification that it must "protect Russian civilians and military in Ukraine".

At the same time, the Port of Sevastopol and the town of Kacha are located in Sevastopol, a city on the west of Crimea but part of Ukraine. Both locations hold key strategic value for Russia, economically and militarily. The Port of Sevastopol is considered a key hold for maritime routes between the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, and, therefore, the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The port is also one of the few warm deepwater ports in the Black Sea available to Russia, which it currently leases from Ukraine. As the Ukranian revolution unfolded —and as the newly installed Ukrainian government began to distance itself from Russia— Russia felt that its access to the port and its military bases in Crimea were in jeopardy. Ensuring access to the port and Russia's military bases in Crimea are considered one of the main factors that sparked Russia's military intervention. On the other hand, the town of Kacha serves as military headquarters for the 25th Independent Anti-submarine Helicopter Regiment (25th AHR) and the 917th Independent Composite Air Regiment (917th ICAR) of the Black Sea Fleet Naval Air Force (which belongs to Russia).

Russian actions

Military action in Crimea

On 26 February, President Vladimir Putin ordered urgent military exercises to test the combat readiness of his armed forces across western Russia. From that day onwards, there were reports that Russian soldiers had established a checkpoint between the major Crimean cities of Sevastopol and Simferopol. Men in military uniform seized the Crimean parliamentary building and the Council of Ministers building and replaced the Ukrainian flag with the Russian flag. Soldiers suspected of being Russians 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. Ukrainian officials said Russian forces took over a military airbase in Sevastopol, landed troops at another airbase, and surrounded a coast guard base.

By 2 March, Ukrainian military bases in Crimea were under the control of Russian military forces; soldiers infiltrated the radio-technical company at the Maganome Cape near Feodosiya; the 55th Anti-Air Defense in Yevpatoriya had been seized. Russian military, without identification, blocked the 36th Ukrainian Coastal Defense unit (Ukrainian Navy) in Perevalne (between Simferopol and Alushta) and demanded that the besieged Ukrainian Marines to surrender, and 400 Russian special operations troops were arrived by the Russian Black Sea Fleet BDK "Azov". Russian Special Operation soldiers attempted to disarm the 191st Training unit of Ukrainian Navy in Sevastopol; there also was an attempt by another 30 soldiers of Russia to take over the 39th Training unit of Ukrainian Navy (Sevastopol). 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. 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; Russian soldiers blocked the Ukrainian military installation А-0669 in Kerch.

On 2 March, Ukrainian Navy Rear Admiral Denis Berezovsky officially defected and pledged allegiance to Crimea. According to MP Yuri Syrotyuk, Berezovsky had already been dismissed before his defection for ordering his troops not resist the Russian forces in case of blockade or isolation. Ukrainian units which refused to surrender informed the acting Minister of Defense Ihor Tenyukh, who replaced Berezovsky with Rear Admiral Serhiy Hayduk. Internal Troops of Ukraine in Simferopol refused to lay down their arms and side with the Russians. By 3 March 2014, Russian troops captured the Ukrainian Border Guard base in Balaklava after repeated assaults. There was a number of incidents where the local civilians requested the Russian soldiers do not provoke the Ukrainian military. Russia vowed troops would stay until the political situation has been "normalised". Around 21:00 (LST), five vehicles with soldiers of the Russian Black Sea Fleet broke through the border checkpoint "Krym-Kuban" at the ferry crossing "Krym-Kavkaz" in Kerch.

Ukrainian defence sources alleged that the commander of Russian Black Sea Fleet Vice-Admiral Aleksandr Vitko had issued an official ultimatum to all Ukrainian military servicemen to surrender by 05:00 (LST) 4 March 2014 or face a military confrontation. These allegations were denied by the Russian foreign ministry and a representative of the Black Sea Fleet headquarters. The deadline came and went without incident or attempt to storm. Human rights observers confirmed that Russian soldiers are openly standing on the perimeter of the Ukrainian hamlet Perevalne.

On March 4, 2014 the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense announced that armed men unsuccessfully attempted forcefully to take over the command ship "Slavutych".

Other troop movements

The head of Chernihiv regional council announced that the Russians were conducting military movements on the Chernihiv Oblast segment of the State Border of Ukraine on 2 March 2014. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on 3 March 2014 Russia had started to amass troops on several segments of the eastern borders with Ukraine (Kharkiv, Luhansk, and Donetsk oblasts). Later, the Luhansk border detachment dismissed those claims as a disinformation by media. On 3 March 2014, Russia deployed 3,500 troops and heavy equipment on Baltic coast in Kaliningrad Oblast near Polish and Lithuanian borders, causing Lithuania and Poland, who are members of NATO, to ask for protection against a Russian invasion.

Non-military events

Russia

Before the military intervention, Russia recalled its ambassador to Ukraine for consultations. 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. Aleksei Pushkov, the Chairman of the Russian State Duma committee on Foreign Affairs, said that the majority of people in Crimea should be given the right of self-determination. He added that he thought the Crimean Parliament's planned referendum on 30 March (on greater Crimean autonomy, according to the BBC Russian-language service) was a much more legitimate way to achieve political change than demonstrations on Kiev's Maidan Square.

At a meeting to protest against the Russian intervention in Ukraine that took place near to the Ministry of Defense building in Moscow, 28 protesters were arrested by the police. Andrei Yurov, an expert of the Moscow Helsinki Group, said that the decision of the Council of the Federation allowing President Putin to use military force within the territory of Ukraine was taken on the basis of unconfirmed information about the "victims" among citizens in Crimea.

In Crimea

(For non-military events in the Crimea, and also for military events there, see 2014 Crimean crisis.)

Luhansk Oblast

On 1 March, the Oblast council of Luhansk Oblast voted to demand giving Russian language the status of second official language, stopping ″persecution of Berkut fighters″, disarming Maidan self-defense units and banning a number of far-right political organizations like Svoboda and UNA-UNSO. For the case the authorities failed to comply with the demands, the Oblast council reserved itself the ″right to ask for help from the brotherly people of the Russian Federation.″

Odessa Oblast

On 3 March, around 200 demonstrators with Russian flags stormed the Odessa Oblast administrative building

Rosneft has been reported to be considering purchase Ukraine's largest oil refinery, owned by the VETEK group, after the group's owner, Serhiy Kurchenko, who left Ukraine in February, appeared to be unable to repay a loan to the VTB state bank of Russia. The Russian energy company Lukoil had ceased supply of petroleum to the refinery with the last tanker sent on December 29. Top management resigned on February 24, police blocked all exits from the refinery on February 25, and power was cut off on February 27.

Kharkiv Oblast

There were reports of busloads of Russian citizens crossing the border into Ukraine in order to support pro-Russian protests. At an administrative building in Kharkiv, a Russian from Moscow replaced the Ukrainian flag with a Russian one.

Donetsk Oblast

The city council of Donetsk voted on March 1 to have a referendum on greater autonomy in the region. On 3 March, a number of armed people started storming Donetsk Oblast administrative building, waving Russian flags and shouting ″Russia!″ and ″Berkut are heroes!″. The pro-Russian group is led by Paul Gubarev, who some sources report is claiming to be the people's governor of the region. News reports suggest that these Donetsk activities were organized by Russia. On the evening of 4 March, a large peaceful rally of over 2,000 supporting peace and a united Ukraine was held in central Donetsk.

Reactions

Crimean response

Crimean Prime Minister Aksyonov asserted control over all security forces in Crimea with the help of armed men and appealed to Putin for assistance in maintaining "peace and tranquility". The position of Prime Minister is normally appointed by the President of Ukraine; On 1 March, the acting president Turchynov decried the appointment of Sergei Aksyonov as the head of the government of Crimea as unconstitutional.

The chairman of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People, Refat Chubarov, expressed concern that Tatars in Crimea would be threatened as a result of the Russian takeover. He said Crimea is part of Ukraine and warned of a collapse in "world order" if Russia succeeds in separating Crimea from Ukraine.

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". On 1 March, he warned, "Military intervention would be the beginning of war and the end of any relations between Ukraine and Russia."

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

International reactions

The international community condemned and expressed grave concerns over the Russian intervention in another country. The UN Security Council held a special meeting at the weekend on the crisis. The G7 countries condemned the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, and urged Russia to withdraw. All G7 leaders are refusing to participate in it due to assumed violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in contravention of Russia's obligations under the UN Charter and its 1997 basing agreement with Ukraine.

The United States raised the likelihood of sanctions against Russia unless they withdrew. Canada recalled its ambassador from Russia. British Foreign Minister William Hague removed Britain from preparations for the upcoming G8 summit and said the UK would work with international partners to "ensure that reforms by Ukraine are matched by international willingness to provide economic support".

Financial markets

The intervention has caused turbulence on the financial markets. Stock markets around the world fell sharply due to the threat of instability, while gold, and government stocks (in particular US and German) all rallied. The Swiss franc climbed to a 2-year high against the dollar and 1-year high against the Euro. The Euro and the US dollar both rose, as did the Australian dollar. The Russian stock market declined by more than 10 percent, whilst the Russian Rouble hit an all time lows against the US dollar and the Euro. The Russian Central bank hiked interest rates and intervened in the foreign exchange markets to the tune of $12 billion to try to stabilise its currency. Prices for wheat and grain have risen. Ukraine is a major exporter of both crops.

See also

• 2014 Crimean crisis
• Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances
• Euromaidan
• Russia–Ukraine relations

Notes

1. ^ Radyuhin (2014) "President Vladimir Putin, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Russian armed forces, asked Parliament for permission to use the Russian armed forces to "protect" Russian civilians and military in Ukraine."

References

1. ^ by: Network writers, agencies (27 February 2014). "Russian troop invasion encircles Crimea's capital as Ukraine PM declares the nation to be on 'brink of disaster'". News.com.au. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
2. ^ "Armed men seize Crimea parliament". The Guardian. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
3. "Ukraine Puts Troops on High Alert, Threatening War", The New York Times, 2 March 2014
4. "NATO Secretary General – Doorstep statement to the media". YouTube. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
5. ^ Russia Stages a Coup in Crimea. The Daily Beast.com
6. Dearden, Lizzie (1 March 2014). "Ukraine crisis: Putin asks Russian parliament's permission for military intervention in Crimea". The Independent.
7. Russia illegally increased the number of its troops in Ukraine up to 16 thousand – acting Defense Minister. Interfax-Ukraine. 3 March 2014
8. MacAskill, Ewen (28 February 2014). "Ukraine military still a formidable force despite being dwarfed by neighbour". The Guardian.
9. Ukrainian officer was injured in Sevastopol, while protecting warehouses with arms. Ukrayinska Pravda. 3 March 2014
10. ^ "Putin vs the people of Ukraine". March 2. In Ukranian. Ukrayinska Pravda. 2 March 2014
11. ^ Ukraine's Yanukovych asked for troops, Russia tells UN. BBC. Retrieved on March 4, 2014
12. Radyuhin, Vladimir (1 March 2014). "Russian Parliament approves use of army in Ukraine". The Hindu. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
13. ^ "Ukraine crisis: Russia vows troops will stay". BBC. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
14. "Obama: Russia 'On The Wrong Side Of History' On Ukraine". Huffington Post.
15. "Ukraine crisis: Russia faces 'costs and consequences', warns William Hague". The Telegraph. 03 Mar 2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
16. "UK and France pull out of G8 preparatory talks over Ukraine crisis". The Guardian. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
17. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/03/ukraine-vladimir-putin-angela-merkel-russian
18. Jones, Gavin (2 March 2014). "Italy appeals to Russia to negotiate, not invade Ukraine". Reuters. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
19. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10674260/Ukraine-crisis-EU-gives-Russia-48-hour-deadline-to-return-troops-to-barracks-in-Crimea.html
20. http://news.yahoo.com/eu-leaders-hold-summit-ukraine-thursday-175852481.html
21. "Ukraine Protestors Seize Kiev As President Flees". Time. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
22. "Ukraine President Yanukovich impeached". Al Jazeera. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
23. Traynor, Ian (24 February 2014). "Western nations scramble to contain fallout from Ukraine crisis". The Guardian.
24. Ayres, Sabra (28 February 2014). "Is it too late for Kiev to woo Russian-speaking Ukraine?". The Christian Science Monitor.
25. "На отмену закона о региональных языках на Украине наложат вето". Lenta.ru. 1 March 2014.
26. Herszenhorn, David M. (4 March 2014). "Crimean Leader Says Ukrainian Military Units Are Surrendering". New York Times. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
27. "Crimean Tatars Deported by Stalin Oppose Putin in Ukraine". Bloomberg. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
28. "Ukraine: Sevastopol installs pro-Russian mayor as separatism fears grow". The Guardian. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
29. "Demonstrators raise Russian flag in Kerch". Focus News. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
30. "No Ukrainian flags left on Sevastopol administrative buildings". Kyiv Post. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
31. Ukrainian ex-leader Viktor Yanukovych vows fightback, BBC News (28 February 2014).
32. "Ukraine crisis live: Russia admits its troops are moving in Crimea". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 28 February 2014.
33. "Чуркин сообщил об обращении Януковича к Путину". Lenta.ru. 4 March 2014.
34. "Putin declared war against Ukraine (in Ukrainian)". Ukrayinska Pravda. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
35. "Russian Troops Take Over Ukraine's Crimea Region". ABC News. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
36. Gutterman, Steve (26 February 2014). "Putin puts troops in western Russia on alert in drill". Reuters. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
37. Mackinnon, Mark (26 February 2014). "Globe in Ukraine: Russian-backed fighters restrict access to Crimean city". The Globe & Mail. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
38. "Russia flexes military muscle as tensions rise in Ukraine's Crimea". CNN. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
39. "Ukraine crisis: 'Russians' occupy Crimea airports". BBC News. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
40. "Soldier: Yes, I am a Russian" (video). CNN. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
41. "Pro-Russia separatists flex muscles in Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula". The Washington Post. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
42. "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.
43. "Moscow Seals off Ukrainian Bases in Crimea". The Wall Street Journal. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
44. ^ Seizures of military facilities in the Crimea (photo), Ukraine: Marine portal, 2 March 2014
45. "Kryzys na Krymie. Kijów zarządził mobilizację wojsk. Rosjanie wejdą na Ukrainę?", Gazeta Wyborcza, 2 March 2014, archived from the original on 2 March 2014 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
46. "Russian forces blocked Ukrainian unit in Perevalne and demand to lay down arms", Ukrayinska Pravda, 2 March 2014
47. Russian soldiers blocked the 36th coastal defense brigade of the Ukrainian Navy, Ukraine: Marine portal, 2 March 2014
48. Ukrainian officers did not allow capture and extract of arms by special forces of the Russian Federation (Sevastopol), Ukraine: Marine portal, 2 March 2014.
49. "Russian special forces left the Ukrainian military unit in Sevastopol", Ukrayinska Pravda, 2 March 2014
50. Invasion of the Russian military inside the Ukrainian military unit, Ukraine: Marine portal, 2 March 2014.
51. "Russian soldiers stormed unit Ukrainian in Sevastopol". Ukrayinska Pravda. 2 March 2014
52. 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. 2 March 2014
53. In Crimea were seized the headquarters of the Ukrainian border guards. Ukrinform. 2 March 2014
54. ATR TV. atr.ua
55. Military unit in Kerch is surrounded by Russian soldiers. video. Ukrinform. 2 March 2014
56. "Appointed by Kiev authorities commander of the Ukrainian Navy, took the oath of allegiance to the people of Crimea". Information Telegraph Agency of Russia. 2 March 2014
57. ^ "Berezovsky was dismissed in the morning – for the order not to resist forces of Russia and to lay down arms". Ukrayinska Pravda. 2 March 2014
58. "Crimean internal troops refused to surrender their weapons". Ukrinform. 2 March 2014
59. "Wives of Ukrainian troops in the Crimea are defending men", News in brief, Ukraine: BBC, 3 March 2014
60. "Over the Kerch crossing to UKRAINE broke through trucks with armed men", Ukrayinska Pravda, 3 March 2014
61. Russian troops broke through the border at checkpoint 'Krym-Kuban', State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, 3 March 2014
62. Into Ukraine across the Kerch crossing broke through buses and trucks with gunmen ignoring border control, 3 March 2014 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
63. "Black Sea Fleet demands from the Ukrainian military to surrender", Ukrayinska Pravda, 3 March 2014
64. The commander of the Black Sea Fleet issued an ultimatum to the Ukrainian military, declared the Defense Ministry, 3 March 2014 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
65. Nikolsky, Alexei. "минобороны украины". Vedomosti (in Russian). RU. Retrieved 3 March 2014. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
66. Russian Black Sea Fleet denies ultimatum to the Ukrainian military. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 3 March 2014
67. Baczynska, Gabriela (3 March 2014). Heritage, Timothy (ed.). "Russian Black Sea Fleet says no assault ultimatum in Crimea". Reuters. Interfax. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
68. In Russia confirmed that the unit in Perevalne is blocked by Russian soldiers. Ukrayinska Pravda. 3 March 2014
69. Ship crew of the Naval Forces of Ukraine "Slavutych" has given forceful repulse to armed attackers. Ministry of Defense. March 4, 2014
70. "Chernihiv Regional Council Chairman declared about military movement near the Russian border". Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 2 March 2014
71. Russia is suspected of preparing an invasion in Ukraine through the land borders. Ukrainian Independent Information Agency. 3 March 2014
72. No Russian armored vehicles on the segment of Luhansk border detachment – border guards. Ukrinform. 3 March 2014
73. "Niespodziewane manewry w Obwodzie Kaliningradzkim :: wojskowość". Kresy.pl. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
74. Karsten Østergaard Nielsen. "Polens præsident: Obama har lovet mig at beskytte os mod Rusland" (in dk). Dr.dk. Retrieved 4 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
75. Фото: doninformburo.ru. "Россия отозвала своего посла из-за непонятной ситуации в Украине – Медведев". Korrespondent.net. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
76. "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.
77. Sergei L. Loiko (1 March 2014). "New Crimea leaders move up referendum date". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 March 2014. KIEV, Ukraine – Crimea's new pro-Moscow premier, Sergei Aksenov, moved the date of the peninsula's status referendum to March 30. On Thursday, the Crimean parliament, which appointed Aksenov, had called for a referendum on May 25, the date also set for the urgent presidential election in Ukraine.
78. ^ "Пушков сравнил ситуацию в Крыму с Косовом". BBC. 28 February 2014.
79. "Россия: Общество: Число задержанных на антивоенном митинге в Москве выросло вдвое". Lenta.ru. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
80. The Duma of Russian Federation has decided to move Russian troops into Ukraine on the basis of false information Urkainska pravda, Merch 1, 2014
81. "Облсовет Луганская угрожает разоружить Майдан руками "братской" России". Gazeta.ua. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
82. "Митингующие под флагами России штурмуют Одесскую ОГА". Gazeta.ua. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
83. Pavel Polityuk (2014=03-03). "Russia's Rosneft might buy Ukraine's Odessa refinery: newspaper". Reuters. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
84. "Russia's LUKOIL stops oil supplies to Odessa refinery". ITAR-TASS. 25 February 2014. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help); Text "http://en.itar-tass.com/economy/721055" ignored (help)
85. ^ Roth, Andrew (4 March 2014). "From Russia, 'Tourists' Stir the Protests". The New York Times.
86. "В Донецке несколько сотен радикалов с криками "Россия" штурмуют ОГА". Gazeta.ua. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
87. Roth, Andrew (3 March 2014). From Russia, ‘Tourists’ Stir the Protests, The New York Times
88. ? Как к Вам обращаться?. "Власть в Донецке перешла к сепаратистам – в здании ОГА остаются заложники". Gazeta.ua. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
89. (4 March 2013). В центре Донецка прошел митинг за единую и мирную Украину - видео/фото (In central Donetsk, rally held for united and peaceful Ukraine), News of Donbass (in Russian)
90. ^ Putin declares war against Ukraine Ukrayinska Pravda, 1 March 2014
91. "Crimea PM Takes Control of Army, Police And Seeks Russian Help". NBC News. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
92. Template:Uk icon The new prime minister is the leader of Russian Unity, Ukrayinska Pravda (27 February 2014)
93. ? Как к Вам обращаться?. "Турчинов издал указ о незаконности назначения Аксенова премьером Крыма". Gazeta.ua. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
94. "Chubarov: Russian invasion of Crimea is threat to world peace, security". Kyiv Post. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
95. "Turchynov: Russia starts aggression in Crimea". Kyiv Post. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
96. "Ukraine live: Prime Minister of Ukraine says Russian military intervention would lead to war". The Daily Telegraph. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
97. "Ukraine Puts Military on Full Alert After Russian Intervention Threat".
98. "UN Security Council meets on Ukraine". Yahoo!. Agence France-Presse. 20 April 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
99. ^ DeYoung, Karen (1 March 2014). "Obama speaks with Putin by phone, calls on Russia to pull forces back to Crimea bases". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
100. "Ukraine crisis: 'G7' condemn Russia". The Age. 3 March 2014.
101. G-7 Leaders Statement (press release), The White House, 2 March 2014
102. ^ Chua, Ian (3 March 2014). "Yen holds ground as Ukraine jitters keep risk at bay". Reuters
103. Carlson, Kathryn Blaze. "Canada recalling ambassador from Moscow over Russian intervention in Ukraine". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
104. Buchanan, Emily (1 January 1970). "Ukraine crisis: Britain pulls out of G8 preparatory talks". News. BBC. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
105. Associated Press (4 March 2014). "Ukraine Crisis Sends Russian Markets, Ruble Plummeting". NBC News.
106. Sullivan, Tim, Putin: troops to bases; warning shots in Crimea {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |agency= ignored (help)
107. Dreibus, Tony. "Wheat, Corn Prices Surge on Ukraine Crisis". Wall Street Journal.

External links

• NATO Secretary General – Doorstep statement to the media. 2 March 2014
• Russia's invasion of Ukraine (live updates). Kyiv Post. 2 March 2014
• Template:Uk icon Putin vs the people of Ukraine.. 2 March 2014. Ukrayinska Pravda.

v t e Crimea articles
Political status Sevastopol Republic of Crimea (Russia) Autonomous Republic of Crimea
History	Greek Crimea Crimea in the Roman era Cherson (theme) Bosporan Kingdom) Akatziri Khazars Crimean Goths Kipchaks Empire of Trebizond Genoese Crimea Genoese–Mongol Wars Crimean campaigns of 1687 and 1689 Crimean Khanate 1783 annexation by Russia Crimean War Soviet period Crimea in World War II 1944 Crimean Tatar deportation Renaming of Crimean toponyms 1954 transfer to Ukraine Crimean Tatar repatriation Autonomous Republic of Crimea President of Crimea (historical) 2003 Tuzla Island conflict 2014 status referendum 2014 annexation by Russia Supreme Council of Crimea (until 2014) (Chairman) Prime Minister of Crimea (until 2014) Council of Ministers (until 2014) Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People
Geography	Arabat Spit Arabat Bay Azov Sea Black Sea Caves Marble Vyalova Crimean Mountains Kerch Strait Perekop Isthmus Pontic–Caspian steppe Southern Coast Syvash Subdivisions Cities Raions Urban-type settlements
Politics	Republic of Crimea/Autonomous Republic of Crimea Constitution Head State Council 2014 parliamentary election Sevastopol Legislative Assembly Governor 2017 election Black Sea Fleet Crimean Federal District
Economy	Tourism Crimean Bridge Crimean Trolleybus
Society	Sports Crimean Premier League Demographics Peoples Russians Ukrainians Crimean Tatars Armenians Karaites Pontic Greeks Krymchaks Crimea Germans Languages Crimean Tatar Krymchak Russian Ukrainian Religion Christianity Roman Catholicism Ukrainian Catholicism Judaism Islam
Category

v t e Euromaidan and the Revolution of Dignity
21 November 2013 – 23 February 2014
Main topics	Timeline of the Euromaidan Domestic responses to the Euromaidan International reactions to the Euromaidan Casualties Heavenly Hundred Order of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes Damaged communist monuments
Main events	1 December 2013 riots Fall of the monument to Lenin in Kyiv 11 December 2013 assault Ukrainian–Russian action plan Anti-Maidan Vasylkiv terrorists case Anti-protest laws in Ukraine 2014 Odesa clashes 2014 Hrushevskoho Street riots 2014 RSA occupations Agreement on settlement of political crisis in Ukraine Revolution of Dignity
Aftermath	2014 pro-Russian unrest Timeline Russian military intervention 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia Timeline War in Donbas timeline First Yatsenyuk government Lustration in Ukraine Decommunization in Ukraine
Elections	2014 Ukrainian presidential election 2014 Ukrainian local elections 2014 Kyiv local election 2014 Crimean status referendum 2014 Donbas status referendums 2014 Ukrainian parliamentary election
Main places	Maidan Nezalezhnosti Mezhyhirya Khreshchatyk Lypky Bankova Street European Square Hrushevskoho Street Dynamo Stadium Kyiv City Council Trade Unions Building Ukrainian House Mariinskyi Park October Palace Kyiv Conservatory
European integration	Ukraine–European Union relations Eastern Partnership European Union Association Agreement European Union–Ukraine Association Agreement Constitution of Ukraine
Protest figures	Organizations Maidan People's Union Euromaidan Press Parliamentary opposition parties Batkivshchyna Svoboda UDAR Other parties Congress of Ukrainian Nationalists Democratic Alliance UNA–UNSO United Left and Peasants Civic organizations Automaidan Road Control Vidsich Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Militant groups Right Sector Spilna Sprava Lead figures Vitali Klitschko Arseniy Yatsenyuk Oleh Tyahnybok Petro Poroshenko Yuriy Lutsenko Oleksandr Turchynov Yulia Tymoshenko Andriy Parubiy Andriy Sadovyi Arsen Avakov Ruslana Tetiana Chornovol Dmytro Bulatov Dmytro Yarosh Refat Chubarov
Anti-protest figures	Organizations Second Azarov government Ministry of Internal Affairs Internal Troops of Ukraine Security Service of Ukraine Berkut Militsiya (Ukraine) Party of Regions Titushky Night Wolves Don Cossacks Antimaidan Lead figures Viktor Yanukovych Mykola Azarov Serhiy Arbuzov Vitaliy Zakharchenko Oleksandr Yefremov Andriy Klyuyev Hennadiy Kernes Mykhailo Dobkin Viktor Pshonka Olena Lukash Yuriy Boyko Leonid Kozhara Dmytro Tabachnyk Oleksandr Klymenko

• Current events from March 2014
• Articles to be merged from March 2014
• 2014 in Ukraine
• 2014 in Russia
• Russia–Ukraine relations
• History of Crimea
• 2014 Crimean crisis
• Conflicts in 2014
• 2014 in international relations