UKRAINE ORDERS FULL MILITARY MOBILIZATION OVER RUSSIA MOVES
March 2nd, 2014Update: New Head of Ukraine’s Navy ‘Defects’ in Crimea
Via: BBC:
The newly appointed head of Ukraine’s navy has sworn allegiance to the Crimea region, in the presence of its unrecognised pro-Russian leader.
Rear Admiral Denis Berezovsky was only made head of the navy on Saturday, as the government in Kiev reacted to the threat of Russian invasion.
Russia’s troops have been consolidating their hold on Crimea, which is home to its Black Sea Fleet.
The US has warned Moscow may be ejected from the G8 for its actions.
—
Here we go again.
Via: BBC:
Ukraine has ordered a full military mobilisation in response to Russia’s build-up of its forces in Crimea.
Acting President Olexander Turchynov has ordered the closure of airspace to all non-civilian aircraft.
US President Barack Obama has called Russian troop deployments a “violation of Ukrainian sovereignty”.
Ukraine has said it will seek the help of US and UK leaders in guaranteeing its security. Nato has called emergency talks to be held at 1200 GMT.
Several other measures were announced by Andriy Parubiy, chair of the national security and defence council of Ukraine:
The armed forces would be put on “full combat readiness”.
Reserves to be mobilised and trained
Emergency headquarters to be set up
Increased security at key sites, including nuclear plants.
The BBC has seen what appear to be Russian troops digging trenches on the Crimean border.
Heavily armed groups continue to occupy key sites on the peninsula, including airports and communications hubs, although there has been no actual violence.
On Saturday, Mr Obama held a 90-minute telephone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and urged him to pull forces back to bases in Crimea.
Mr Putin said Moscow reserved the right to protect its interests and those of Russian speakers in Ukraine.
President Putin submitted his request for troops to the Russian parliament on Saturday “in connection with the extraordinary situation in Ukraine and the threat to the lives of Russian citizens”, the Kremlin said.
The US, France and Canada say they are suspending preparations for a G8 summit in the Russian resort of Sochi in June as a reaction to the deployment, with Canada also recalling its ambassador from Moscow for consultations.
