Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 16:13, 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 2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2014.

2014 Crimean crisis
Part of the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution
Crimea (dark green) and the rest of Ukraine (light green) in Europe
Crimea and Sevastopol   Rest of Ukraine
Date	23 February 2014–present (10 years, 10 months, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Location	Crimea, Ukraine
Caused by	Opposition to the Euromaidan movement Opposition to the Cabinet of Ukraine The Verkhovna Rada's vote on February 23 to repeal a language law that protected minority languages
Methods	Protests Unmarked Russian military operations in Crimea Concentration of Russian Military Forces General mobilization in Ukraine
Status	Ongoing Russian military intervention. Gunmen seize government buildings and raise the flag of Russia. Gunmen (claimed by Ukrainian government to be Russian soldiers) seized main airports. The Supreme Council of Crimea is dissolved and a new Prime Minister of Crimea is installed with armed force present in the building. New Members of the Supreme Council of Crimea vote to hold a self-sovereignty referendum on 30 March. Viktor Yanukovych appears in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, denies legitimacy of the post-revolution government in Kiev, and reasserts claim to the Ukrainian presidency. Pro-Russian protests spread to Eastern and Southern Ukraine. No central government control over Crimea Ukraine's Navy commander defects, declares support for the new Crimean government. Russia denounces the Cabinet of Ukraine as illegitimate. Crimean government claims that representatives of the localities of Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odessa in coastal Ukraine outside of Crimea have declared their desire to become part of Crimea if its powers are increased by the referendum planned for 30 March.
Parties
Crimea Sevastopol Pro-Russian militants Supportive organizations in Crimea Russian Unity party Night Wolves Former members of the dissolved Berkut special police unit  Russia Black Sea Fleet Airborne Troops Military Intelligence Kuban Cossacks  Ukraine Ukrainian Navy Parliamentary parties Batkivshchyna Svoboda UDAR Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People
Lead figures
Sergey Aksyonov Rustam Temirgaliev Volodymyr Konstantinov Denis Berezovsky Aleksei Chalyi Vladimir Putin Sergey Shoygu Aleksandr Vitko Oleksandr Turchynov Arseniy Yatsenyuk Arsen Avakov Valentyn Nalyvaichenko Serhiy Kunitsyn Serhiy Hayduk Mustafa Dzhemilev Refat Chubarov
Number
Protesters 20,000 (Sevastopol) 5,000 (Simferopol) Volunteer units 5,000 (Sevastopol) 1,700 (Simferopol) Russian Infantry 6,000–28,000 Armed insurgents 300 Protesters 4,000–10,000 (Simferopol) Ukrainian military forces About 5,000 troops Currently recruiting and mobilizing reserves
Casualties and losses
Several serious injuries About 100 to 200 Ukrainian marines currently detained by Russian forces against their will, as well as reportedly almost all of the Ukrainian Navy Fleet
2–3 civilians dead
143,000 refugees (Russian estimate), 20,000 refugees (Polish estimate)

The 2014 Crimean crisis is a diplomatic crisis unfolding in the region of Crimea, Ukraine. It began in the aftermath of the 2014 Ukrainian revolution, in which the government of President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted by a popular revolt in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.

Since February 23, some ethnic Russian groups staged protests, opposing the events in Kiev and wanting closer ties or integration with Russia, in addition to expanded autonomy or possible independence for Crimea. Other groups, predominantly consisting of Crimean Tatars and ethnic Ukrainians, demonstrated support for the revolution. The deposed Yanukovych fled to Russia, and covertly called for Russian armed forces to intervene and secure 'law and order' in Ukraine, specifically Crimea.

On February 26, Russia started concentrating a military force of 150,000 along the Ukrainian border in a military exercise.

On February 27, pro-Russian armed soldiers without insignia and wearing masks seized a number of important buildings in Crimea, including the parliament building and two airports. They disabled almost all telecommunication and Internet services between Crimea and the rest of Ukraine. Under siege and with assailants present inside the building, the Supreme Council of Crimea dismissed the autonomous republic's government and replaced the chairman of the Council of Ministers of Crimea, Anatolii Mohyliov, with chairman Sergey Aksyonov. The Russian troops stationed in Crimea on bilateral agreement were reinforced and two vessels of the Russian Black Sea Fleet breached Ukrainian waters, violating the agreement.

Kiev accused Russia of intervening in Ukraine's internal affairs, which Russia officially denied.

On March 1, the Russian parliament granted President Vladimir Putin the authority to use military force in Ukraine, following a plea for help from the newly installed Crimea's pro-Moscow leader, Sergey Aksyonov. The acting president of Ukraine, Oleksandr Turchynov, decreed the appointment of Aksyonov as Prime Minister of Crimea unconstitutional. Pro-government sources claimed that there may have been falsification during the vote to hold a 2014 sovereignty referendum and change of government in Crimea. The General Prosecutor office said that any decisions of the referendum contradict the Constitution of Ukraine and Crimea, which requires a national plebiscite. Crimean Tatar leaders have said they will not take part in or recognize any separatist referendum.

On March 2, Ukraine declared full battle alert and general mobilization across the country. Crimean deputy prime minister, Rustam Temirgaliev, reported that all armed forces on the Crimea territory had either been disarmed or switched sides. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense claimed that these reports were untrue. Soon after, the chief of the Ukrainian Navy, Denis Berezovsky announced in a televised statement that he refused to follow orders from the self-declared government in Kiev, and declared loyalty to Crimean authorities and people. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev denounced the Yatsenyuk Government as illegitimate.

On March 3, forces without insignia, believed to be Russian Army troops took over Port Krym in Kerch, which serves a ferry to Port Kavkaz in Russia. The Russian navy started a military exercise in Kaliningrad Oblast, close to the borders of Lithuania and Poland. The Lithuanian and Polish presidents called for NATO treaty Article 4 consultations.

According to the Vice-Speaker of the Supreme Council of Crimea, Sergey Tsekov, representatives of the localities of Kherson - capital of the Kherson Oblast, Mykolaiv - capital of the Mykolaiv Oblast, and Odessa - capital of the Odessa Oblast, in coastal Ukraine outside of Crimea have declared their desire to become part of Crimea if its powers are increased by the referendum planned for 30 March.

The North Atlantic Council and the European Union will hold an emergency summit on the matter. The United States and the United Kingdom condemned Russia, accusing it of breaking international law and violating Ukrainian sovereignty.

On 4 March, Putin ended the military exercises and pulled troops back from Ukrainian borders. Putin stated in a press conference that the soldiers occupying military bases were not Russian soldiers, but local forces of self-defence. He said that there was no need to send forces into Ukraine at the time being, but that Russia reserved the right to use "all means" as a last resort to threats of anarchy.

Background

The region was an Autonomous Republic of the Russian SFSR from 1921 until 1954. In 1954, the region was transferred to the Ukrainian SSR as part of new administrative division in the Soviet Union and regained autonomy following the Crimean sovereignty referendum in 1991.

The Autonomous Republic of Crimea has been part of an independent Ukraine since 1991, when the former constituent Republics of the Soviet Union became independent states. In 1992, the Crimean Parliament voted to hold a referendum to declare independence, while the Russian Parliament voted to void the cession of Crimea to Ukraine. In 1994, Russian nationalist Yuri Meshkov won the 1994 Crimean presidential election and organized a referendum on Crimea's status. Later in that same year, Crimea's legal status as part of Ukraine was recognized by Russia, which pledged to uphold the territorial integrity of Ukraine in the Budapest memorandum signed in 1994. This treaty was also signed by the United States, United Kingdom, and France. Ukraine revoked the Crimean constitution and abolished the office of Crimean President in 1995. Crimea would gain a new constitution in 1998 that granted the Crimean parliament lesser powers than the previous constitution, including no legislative initiative. Crimean officials would later seek to restore the powers of the previous constitution. Further developments in Crimea and the future of Russian naval bases there have been a point of contention in Russian-Ukrainian relations. The 2010 Kharkiv Pact extended the Russian lease of the base to 2042 in exchange for discounts on Russian natural gas, but was denounced by opposition groups in Ukraine.

According to the 2001 census, ethnic Russians make up about 58% of the two million residents of Crimea. In Sevastopol, which houses a base for the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet, ethnic Russians make up 70% of the city's population of 340,000. Ukrainians make up 24% of the Crimean population, while 12% are Crimean Tatars. Crimean Tatars since their Deportation in 1945, were not permitted to return to Crimea, and became an international cause celebre, until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The continuing migration of Crimean Tatars to the region since the Soviet collapse is causing persistent tensions with Russians over land rights.

In the 2010 local parliamentary elections, the Party of Regions received 357,030 votes, while the second-placed Ukrainian Communist Party received 54,172 votes. Both parties were targeted by protesters during the 2014 Ukrainian revolution.

According to the International Centre for Defense Studies, since the Orange Revolution in 2004, Russia has pressured Ukraine for its preferences to associate itself with the West. It has been asserted that the information campaign in Crimea has become especially proficient and systematic, becoming particularly intense during the 2006–2008 Ukraine bid for NATO membership. It has been claimed that Ukraines' attempts to achieve European integration, Moscow always intensifies its hostility to the idea via its use of media. Russia opposes Ukrainian integration with the West for various reasons, including defense, and Russia's claimed desire to include Ukraine in an Eurasian Union.

According to Taras Kuzio, during the Viktor Yushchenko presidency (2005–2010), Russia's relations with Ukraine deteriorated, prompting the Russian security service (FSB) and Russian military intelligence (GRU) to expand their covert support for pro-Russian forces in Southern Ukraine and Russian separatists in Crimea. Following the Orange Revolution and the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, American diplomatic cables leaked to the public noted that Russian military action against Ukraine was "no longer unthinkable."

Revolution in Kiev

Towards the end of 2013, anti-government Euromaidan protests began over the issue of the accession of Ukraine to the European Union, which then-President Viktor Yanukovich rejected because the Russian aid package of 15 billion dollars in government bond purchases plus a one-third reduction in gas prices and further industrial cooperation was too irresistible, especially given the state of the Ukrainian economy. His rejection was perceived by the media as a step closer towards Russia. Forces on the right refused to accept anything other than closer association with the EU and took to the streets to air their demands and to get the president to resign. They took over state armouries and began armed action in the Maidan square. They took over government buildings and brought government to a halt. They would accept nothing less than the resignation of the president, who was elected via an election accepted by all observers as fair.

The protests escalated in early 2014 and eventually led to deaths of both protesters and government forces on February 20. The Ukrainian parliament voted to impeach Yanukovich on February 21, during the 2014 Ukrainian revolution.

Russia refused to recognize the new authorities in Kiev, saying that they had come to power through armed insurrection by extreme-right political forces and unconstitutional methods. Several Western countries immediately recognized the new regime in Kiev.

Among one of the laws passed by the parliament was the cancellation of the official status of Russian in Ukraine. Further measures against the Russian language were planned.

Some residents of the eastern and southern parts of the country, which were primarily Russian-speaking and constituted President Yanukovich's support base, felt disenfranchised by these developments and protested against the new establishment in Kiev. The Parliament of Crimea called for an extraordinary session on February 21. The leader of the Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People Refat Chubarov stated that he suspected that the session might ask for Russian military intervention.

On February 21, 2014, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) issued a statement which promised that "it will use severe measures to prevent any action taken against diminishing the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine." The same day the pro-Russian Party of Regions who held 80 of the 100 seats in the Crimean Parliament, did not discuss issues relating to the separation of Crimea from Ukraine and appeared to support the deal struck between President Yanukovych and the opposition to end the crises signed the same day.

On February 23, 2014, 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 CSM reported: "The cancellation of this language law only served to infuriate Russian-speaking regions, who saw the move as more evidence that the antigovernment 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 but the damage was done.

Timeline of the events

February

In Simferopol, on February 23, 2014 a pro-Euromaidan rally of between 5,000–15,000 was held in support of the new Ukrainian authorities. Meanwhile in Sevastopol, thousands protested against the new authorities and voted to establish a parallel administration and civil defense squads created with the support of Russian Night Wolves bikers. Russian military convoys were also alleged to be seen in the area. On February 24, the Prime Minister of Crimea Anatolii Mohyliov declared that the region would carry out all laws passed by the Ukrainian parliament. That same day, more protesters rallied outside the Sevastopol administration offices. Pro-Russian demonstrators accompanied by neo-Cossacks demanded the selection of a Russian citizen as mayor (which was refused by the city council) and planted Russian flags at city hall; they also handed out leaflets calling for volunteers to a militia and warning that the "Blue-Brown Europlague is knocking." On 25 February, several hundred pro-Russian protesters blocked the Crimean parliament demanding a referendum on Crimea's independence.

On February 24, Sevastopol chose Aleksei Chalyi, a Russian citizen, as mayor in a city that previously had no mayor. Viktor Neganov, a Sevastopol-based adviser to the interior minister, condemned the events in the city as a coup. In Simferopol, the Regional State Administration building was blockaded with hundreds of protesters demanding a referendum of separation. On February 26, thousands of protesters clashed in Simferopol. Media claimed that Russian troops or (as they themselves claimed) local volunteers took control of the main route of access to Sevastopol. A military checkpoint, with military vehicles under a Russian flag, was set up on the main highway between the city and Simferopol.

On February 27, a group of sixty Russian-speaking gunmen seized Crimea's parliament building and Council of Ministers building. They were said to be professionals and heavily armed. The Ukrainian organization Right Sector officially announced that it does not intend to participate in any conflict on the territory of Crimea. Under siege, the Supreme Council of Crimea (Crimea's parliament) held an emergency session to dismiss the Prime Minister of Crimea and approved a no-confidence vote for Anatolii Mohyliov to be replaced with Sergey Aksyonov of Crimea's Russian Unity party. They voted to hold a referendum on the status of Crimea on May 25, 2014. The new Prime Minister of Ukraine, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, warned "We must immediately declare that anyone who is on the streets with guns – these people are prosecuted by law".

In the early hours of February 28, a group of 50–119 armed men in military uniform without signs of identification seized Simferopol International Airport. Later in the day, Sevastopol International Airport was occupied in a similar manner as Simferopol's airport. A missile boat of the Russian Federation blocked the Balaklava Harbor, where ships of the Ukrainian Sea Guard are stationed. Eight Russian military helicopters were moved to Sevastopol from Anapa. Serhiy Kunitsyn informed journalists that 13 Russian planes IL-76 with Russian Airborne Troops landed in the Hvardiyske military airport (Hvardiiske). Kunitsyn stated that each plane may hold about 150 people. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine acknowledged the threat of possible takeovers of military units in Crimea during the night on Saturday by radical forces. Facing possible Russian intervention, U.S. President Barack Obama stated that any military action would "Come at a cost," following his denunciation of Russian aggression in the region.

March

On March 1, the new Crimean Prime Minister Sergey Aksyonov appealed directly to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Protests against the new authorities in Kiev and in support of Russians in Crimea occurred throughout Eastern and Southern Ukraine on March 1. The interim president of Ukraine, Turchynov, signed a decree declaring the appointment of Sergei Aksyonov as the head of the government of Crimea to be unconstitutional. Russian President Vladimir Putin formally asked the Federation Council for permission to invade Ukraine. Hours later, the Federation Council voted unanimously to grant permission. The Consulate of the Russian Federation in Simferopol started to issue Russian passports to residents of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Navy was forced to leave its base in Sevastopol, as was the Ukrainian Sea Guard. Some journalists later claimed that this was disinformation posted by RIA News. Ukrainian journalists were prohibited from entering the Crimean region. Ukrainian media reported that decisions to replace the government and hold a referendum in Crimea were falsified. According to Damon Wilson, vice president of the Atlantic Council, the United States Congress was "considering authorizing defense arms package to Ukraine".

On March 2, a Ukrainian marine infantry detachment stationed around Feodosiya was surrounded by armed men demanding surrender by 9:00AM EET. The Ukrainian Navy building in Sevastopol was under siege and land-based assault by the Russian Army according to Ukrainska Pravda. RIA Novosti reported that units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces assigned to Crimea were resigning on a "massive scale", as of March 2. Acting President Olexander Turchynov ordered all Ukrainian military reservists to be called up. At a Ukrainian military base near the village of Perevalne, there is an ongoing standoff between a handful of Ukrainian marines loyal to Kiev and the surrounding Russian/Crimean forces. The newly appointed chief of the Ukrainian Navy, Denis Berezovsky, in televised statement announced that he refuses to follow orders from the government in Kiev. He was replaced by Serhiy Hayduk. The government of Crimea announced the formation of its own Defence Ministry.

According to Ukrainian officials, Ukrainian troops stationed in Crimea were urged to surrender by 4 March at 5 a.m. (0300 GMT) or face an armed confrontation via an ultimatum issued by Alexander Vitko, the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. This ultimatum was however denied by Russian officialsand no confrontations were reported after the deadline expired Russian soldiers seized a ferry terminal in the city of Kerch, the easternmost point of Crimea.

Economic consequences

As a result of the crisis, the Moscow stock market fell by 11.3 percent, wiping nearly $60 billion off the value of Russian companies in a day as of March 4. In response Russia's central bank raised its interest rate from 5.5 to 7% and spent an additional 10 billion in reserves to defend the Ruble. The possibility for international sanctions against Russia has also been raised.

There are also significant worries that Russian gas exports into Europe and Ukraine may become disrupted by the current conflict. Thirty percent of Europes's gas is imported from Russia, half of which through Ukrainian pipelines. On March 1, Russia’s Energy Ministry decided to halt the subsidisation of Russian gas into Ukraine. The crisis could also affect worldwide grain supplies. Prices will likely rise because Ukraine is one of the world's largest exporters of wheat and grain.

Reactions

Ukraine

Three previous presidents of Ukraine accused Russia of interfering in Crimean affairs. Interim Ukraine President Oleksandr Turchynov at the start of the protests warned that there is a "serious risk" of separatism in parts of the country. On February 27, 2014, the Central Election Commission of Ukraine claimed that regional referendum is impossible due to lack of necessary legislative basis for such. On February 27, 2014, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Turchynov was instructed to develop a new law "about language".

The new Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk stated in his maiden speech on February 27, "Ukraine will use all legal constitutional methods to preserve the territorial integrity of the state. Crimea was, is and will be a part of Ukraine!”.

On February 27, 2014, the MFA of Ukraine in response to the MID statement stated that the responsibility for non-compliance with the agreement on settlement of the crisis lies on the fourth president Viktor Yanukovych. "In Ukraine, the importance of the crisis settlement Agreement, signed on 21 February 2014 by the then president of Ukraine and opposition leaders, and witnessed by officials of Germany, France and Poland, is honoured. In this regard, we express disappointment that the representative of the Russian Federation, who also participated in the negotiation and drafting of the document, refused to testify this Agreement. It is possible that it was that factor that become at the end one of the reasons for the rejection by the former president of Ukraine to fulfill arrangements of the Agreement aimed at stabilizing the domestic life in the country," – said in the document.

On February 28, 2014, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a resolution on events in Crimea. "Verkhovna Rada demands from the Russian Federation to stop steps that have signs of encroachment on state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including to refuse supporting separatism in Ukraine in any form," – it was said in the ruling.

The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Turchynov dismissed Yuriy Ilyin as the Chief of the General Staff. During the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution Ilyin was reportedly preparing a military operation against the protest movement in Kiev. Ilyin reportedly had a heart attack after meeting with the newly appointed mayor of Sevastopol.

Due to the events in Crimea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine initiated bilateral consultations with Russia and indicated its readiness to initiate consultations within the Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances framework if it receives no response.

The General Prosecutor office intended to raise the issue of the extradition of Viktor Yanukovych, who was confirmed to be in Russia. On 28 February, foreign observers speculated that Russia could extradite Yanukovych to the proper authorities only in exchange for Ukrainian non-intervention in Crimea. on February 28, the General Prosecutor of Ukraine Oleh Makhnitsky formally asked Russia to extradite Yanukovych.

On February 28, Dmytro Yarosh, the leader of the Right Sector, denounced reports of Right Sector putting together armed units to be sent to Crimea; "Right Sector hopes that a way out of this difficult situation will be found exclusively in the political field, without using forcible methods. Right Sector believes that all parties and non-governmental organizations of Ukraine should forget strife and unite when it comes to the preservation of Ukraine's integrity. We should help politicians in settling this conflict peacefully". On March 1, initial reports said that Dmytro Yarosh asked Dokka Umarov, Chechen militant associated with al-Qaeda, for support of Ukraine; but later it was announced about fake statement from his hacked account.

On March 1, 2014, the acting President of Ukraine sign an edict where he pointed out that appointment of Sergey Aksyonov as the Chairman of the Councils of Ministers of Crimea was in violation with the Constitution of Ukraine and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

All three former presidents of Ukraine Leonid Kravchuk, Leonid Kuchma and Viktor Yushchenko called on Ukraine to renounce the Kharkiv Agreements. Leonid Kuchma's press-center later denounced such a statement on behalf of Leonid Kuchma.

On March 1, 2014, the acting President of Ukraine ordered the Armed Forces of Ukraine to full combat readiness.

On March 1, 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 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.″

The General Prosecutor of Ukraine filed new charges against the ousted president of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, accusing him, among other charges, of calls to overthrow the constitutional order in Ukraine.

Crimea

Operations of the Kerch ferry were suspended on February 27, 2014. The Ukrainians in Crimea called on Ukrainian officials to secure peace and security for Crimeans and for European officials to influence the Russian position in regards to separatist attitudes. The new chairman of the Council of Ministers hopes to receive financial help from the Russian Federation with support from Viktor Yanukovych. In the telephone conversation Volodymyr Konstantinov explained Nestor Shufrych (MP) that Crimea does not want a secession, but only to expand its right. The former chief of the general staff Yuriy Ilyin was reported to be hospitalized with a heart attack in the Ukrainian Navy hospital in Sevastopol.

Members of the Crimean government have declared their acceptance of Yanukovych as the legitimate President of Ukraine, deputy chairman of the Crimean parliament Konstantin Bakharev has said: "Today, Yanukovych is the legitimate president," though he also addressed issues concerning him saying, "But we have questions for him, questions as the leader of the government about his moral responsibility before the society, before the party he once led, and before Crimeans."

Viktor Yanukovych

Late at night on February 27, 2014, the former president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, who is wanted along with Zakharchenko under suspicion of mass killing of people, arrived in Rostov-on-Don escorted by jet fighters. On February 28, he conducted a press-conference. In this press conference Yanukovych stated "Crimea must remain part of the Ukrainian state retaining broad autonomy rights". According to him the unrest in Crimea was "an absolutely natural reaction to the bandit coup that has occurred in Kiev"; and he stated he was confident that the people of Crimea "do not want to obey and will not obey nationalists and bandits". He 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 the letter allegedly signed by Victor Yanukovich on 1 March 2014, there Yanukovich had demanded Russian military intervention in Ukraine.

Russia

The State Duma Committee on Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, headed by Leonid Slutsky, visited Simferopol on February 25, 2014 and said: "If the parliament of the Crimean autonomy or its residents express the wish to join the Russian Federation, Russia will be prepared to consider this sort of application. We will be examining the situation and doing so fast." They also stated that in the event of a referendum for Crimea region joining Russian Federation they would consider its results "very fast". Later Slutsky announced that he was misunderstood by Crimean press and no decision regarding simplifying the process of acquiring Russian citizenship for people in Crimea has been made yet. And added that if "fellow Russian citizens are in jeopardy you understand that we do not stay away". On February 25, in a meeting with Crimean politicians he stated that Viktor Yanukovych was still the legitimate president of Ukraine. That same day in the Russian Duma, they announced they were determining measures so that Russians in Ukraine who 'did not want to break from the Russian World' could acquire Russian citizenship.

On February 26, 2014 Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian Armed Forces to be "put on alert in the Western Military District as well as units stationed with the 2nd Army Central Military District Command involved in aerospace defense, airborne troops and long-range military transport." Despite media speculation it was for in reaction to the events in Ukraine Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said it was in separate consideration from the unrest in Ukraine.

On February 27, 2014, the MID (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) of Russia dismissed any accusations about violation by the Russian side of the basic agreements in regards of the Black Sea Fleet: "All movements of armored vehicles are undertaken in full compliance with the basic agreements and did not require any approvals". That claim was also supported by the Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia Anatoliy Antonov.

On February 27, 2014, the Russian governing agencies presented the new law project on granting a citizenship.

MID of Russia called on the West and particularly NATO to "abandon the provocative statements and respect the neutral status of Ukraine". In its statement the MID claims that agreement on settlement of the crisis which was signed on 21 February and was witnessed by foreign ministries from Germany, Poland and France has to this date, not been implemented (Vladimir Lukin from Russia had not signed it).

The Black Sea Fleet administration made a press release denying any accusations of airports occupation.

According to RIA News, the faction A Just Russia initiated in the State Duma amendments to the law on accession to the Russian Federation.

According to ITAR-TASS, the Russian Ministry of Transport discontinued its further talks with Ukraine in regards to the Kerch Strait Bridge project.

In Russian social networks are gathering volunteers who served in army to go to Ukraine.

On February 28, President Putin stated it was of "extreme importance of not allowing a further escalation of violence and the necessity of a rapid normalisation of the situation in Ukraine" in telephone calls with key EU leaders.

The Federation Council approved that Russia may introduce a limited contingent of Russian troops in Crimea for the security of the Black Sea Fleet and the Russians.

On March 1, State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to use all resources available to protect the Crimean population from lawlessness and violence.

In Moscow, on March 2 an estimated 27,000 rallied in support of the Russian government's decision to intervene in Ukraine. Up to 15,000 participated in a similar rally in St. Petersburg, while around 12,000 rallied in Krasnodar. The rallies received considerable attention on Russian state TV and were officially sanctioned by the government.

Meanwhile, on March 1, five people who were picketing next to the Federation Council building against the invasion of Ukraine were arrested. The next day about 200 people protested at the building of the Russian Ministry of Defense in Moscow against Russian military involvement. About 500 people also gathered to protest on the Manezhnaya Square in Moscow and the same number of people on the Saint Isaac's Square in Saint Petersburg. On March 2 about eleven protesters demonstrated in Yekaterinburg against Russian involvement, with some wrapped in the Ukrainian flag. Protests were also held in Chelyabinsk on the same day.

International reaction

International reaction to the Crimean crisis has largely been critical of Russia's decision to intervene, supportive of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also supportive of finding a quick end to the crisis. The United States and the European Union have threatened sanctions against Russia for its role in the crisis. The United Nations Security Council has held three emergency sessions since February 28. The G7 bloc of developed nations (the G8 minus Russia) have made a joint statement condemning Russia and announcing that they will suspend preparations for the upcoming G8 summit in Sochi, scheduled to be held in June.

Commentary

Several scholars, including Alexander J. Motyl, Paul A. Goble, Timothy D. Snyder, and Andreas Umland, have discussed the possibility of Russian military intervention in Crimea specifically, due to its unique geopolitical nature and demographics.

Nina L. Khrushcheva, the great-granddaughter of former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and a Russian Affairs professor at the The New School, says that the aims of Crimea is not necessarily independence from Ukraine, but rather continued dependence on Russia. However, this has instead led Putin to justify continued backing for Yanukovych as well as his own desires to re-take the peninsula. Nevertheless, she acknowledges that Putin's long term goal may not be annexation of Crimea, since this could cause ethnic Crimean Tatars, who had been forcibly displaced by Stalin to Central Asia, to demand a return to Crimea and possibly cause the Islamic insurgency to spread out of the Northern Caucasus. Furthermore, she also states that if Russia sets a precedent of recovering "lost territory", this could inspire countries such as China or Georgia to demand back their own "stolen lands".

Volodymyr Panchenko, of the Kiev-based think-tank International Center for Policy Studies, says that the aim of Russia is for Crimea to be "more or less controlled by Russian troops," but that if or when a referendum is held "more than 80 percent" of votes would be for secession from Ukraine. The way events are unfolding in Crimea "is not a good precedent for the other provinces."

Russian opposition leader Garry Kasparov, former US National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, Ukrainian MP Lesya Orobets (Batkivshchyna), former foreign minister of the Czech Republic, Karel Schwarzenberg, as well as the Foreign Affairs Minister of Canada John Baird compared Russia's actions to Nazi Germany's policy before the start of World War II, after the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

Jack F. Matlock, the Reagan-era U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, writes that the reaction in Washington and European capitals to the crisis is one of "hysteria" and he believes U.S. President Barack Obama erred when Obama made a public warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin about intervening in Ukraine. Matlock hypothesizes that Ukraine's current predicament stems from its failure to overcome its internal divisions or to "unite its citizens in a shared concept of Ukrainian identity". Matlock believes that Russia is behaving rationally, as it feels threatened by the eastern expansion of NATO towards its borders and provocative policies and actions by Ukrainian nationalists based in the western regions of Ukraine.

Commentators speculated as to whether Cold War tactics might be used, or whether the Crimean crisis could result in the start of a second Cold War.

See also

• History of Crimea
• Internal Troops of Ukraine
• Naval Infantry (Russia)
• Russia–Ukraine relations
• Spetsnaz
• Spetsnaz GRU
• State Border Guard Service of Ukraine
• Ukrainian Air Force
• Ukrainian Ground Forces
• Ukrainian Marine Corps
• Security dilemma
• Hobbesian trap
• The Great Game
• The New Great Game
• Russo-Georgian War

Notes

1. Although the bill to repeal the language law passed with a majority of votes in the new, post-revolution Verkhovna Rada, Interim President Oleksandr Turchynov has since announced that he will not sign it until "there is legislation to replace it". "Although the language law was unbalanced, I will not sign into law the parliament's decision to repeal it until a new bill to protect all languages is passed," Turchynov said.
2. It also noted that "certain politicians, local government officials, leaders of civil society organizations, and radically inclined individuals have attempted to create grounds for escalating the civil conflict, and have spread autonomous and separatist attitudes among the people, which could lead to the demise of our as a united nation and loss of its national sovereignty." In addition, the statement said that certain lawmakers of every level have begun separatist negotiations with representatives of foreign nations. "Open consultations are being held on the possible division of the country into separate parts in violation of the Ukrainian constitution," read the statement. "This could lead to an escalation of conflict between different sectors of society, inciting ethnic or religious hatred and military conflict."
3. Sevastopol is the only city in Ukraine whose residents do not get to elect their mayor directly, due to the city's special status.

References

1. "Ukraine's 2012 Language Law to Stay Until New Bill Ready – Turchynov". RIA Novosti. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
2. ^ "Ukraine's Crimea: a hotbed of Russia-bound separatism". Euronews. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
3. "In Crimea, citizens stand for self defense and Mother Russia". Al-Jazeera America. 2014-berli03-01. Retrieved 2014-03-01. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
4. "Watch Your Tongue: Language Controversy One Of Fundamental Conflicts In Ukraine". International Business Times. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
5. 03.01.14. "Russia Stages a Coup in Crimea". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2 March 2014. {{cite web}}: |author= has numeric name (help)
6. ^ Marie-Louise Gumuchian; Laura Smith-Spark; Ingrid Formanek (27 February 2014). "Gunmen seize government buildings in Ukraine's Crimea, raise Russian flag". CNN. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
7. ^ Avakov named seizure of airports in Crimea armed invasion and occupation. Ukrinform. 28 February 2014.
8. "Yanukovych reportedly declares he is Ukraine's president and plans press conference in Russia on Feb. 28". KyivPost. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
9. "Ukraine turmoil LIVE UPDATES". RT. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
10. Ukraine Puts Troops on High Alert, Threatening War. The New York Times. March 2, 2014
11. Eline Gordts (26 February 2014). "Denis Berezovsky, Ukraine's Navy Chief, Defects To Crimea's Pro-Russian Authorities". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
12. ^ "Ukraine's new government is not legitimate – Dmitry Medvedev | World news". theguardian.com. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
13. ^ http://inserbia.info/news/2014/03/ukraine-kherson-nikolaev-and-odessa-declare-their-desire-to-join-crimea/
14. ^ "Crimean Tatars, pro-Russia supporters approach Crimean parliament building". En.interfax.com.ua. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
15. Shuster, Simon. "Ukraine: Russia Ups the Ante in Crimea | TIME.com". World.time.com. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
16. "Москаль: админздания Крыма захватил озлобленный расформированием подразделения "Беркут" | Новости на". Gazeta.ua. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
17. "Ukraine crisis live: President Barack Obama warns of 'costs' for any violation of Ukraine". Telegraph. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
18. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10672417/Ukraine-live.html Daily Telegraph Ukraine Live (March 3, 2014)
19. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10674305/Ukraine-crisis-On-Crimeas-new-border-the-Russian-Army-waits.html Ukraine crisis: On Crimea's new border the Russian Army waits Daily Telegraph, 03 March 2014
20. Ukraine navy officers reject plea to defect to Russian-backed Crimea The Guardian 03-03-2013
21. ^ "BBC News – Ukraine Crimea: Rival rallies confront one another". Bbc.com. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
22. ^ "Russian Citizen Elected Sevastopol Mayor Amid Pro-Moscow Protests in Crimea". The Moscow Times. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
23. ^ "Ukraine leader Turchynov warns of 'danger of separatism'", Euronews, 25 February 2014.
24. ^ "Russia puts military on high alert as Crimea protests leave one man dead". The Guardian. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
25. ^ Pro-Russian rally in Crimea decries Kiev 'bandits', The Washington Post (25 February 2014).
26. Ewen MacAskill, defence correspondent. "Ukraine military still a formidable force despite being dwarfed by neighbour | World news". theguardian.com. Retrieved 3 March 2014. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help)
27. "Two die in rallies outside Crimean parliament, says ex-head of Mejlis". Kyiv Post. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
28. "ВЗГЛЯД / В давке на митинге в Симферополе погибли три человека". Vz.ru. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
29. "94 ЛЮДИНИ ЗАГИНУЛО ЗА ЧАС ПРОТЕСТІВ В УКРАЇНІ – МОЗ | Українська правда". Pravda.com.ua. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
30. "Russia claims thousands fleeing Ukraine".
31. "Ukraine Crimea: Rival rallies confront one another". BBC News. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
32. http://www.oaoa.com/news/us_news/article_8f7f0abe-b054-5917-88dc-db6968469f36.html
33. <%= item.timeFlag %> (24 July 2013). "ITAR-TASS: Russia – Western and Central commands start massive redeployment". En.itar-tass.com. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
34. Zinets, Natalia. "Ukraine mobilizes after Putin's 'declaration of war'". Reuters. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
35. "Russia war games over Ukraine prompt US warning – Yahoo News". News.yahoo.com. 26 February 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
36. "Gunmen Seize Government Buildings in Crimea". The New York Times. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014. Masked men with guns seized government buildings in the capital of Ukraine's Crimea region on Thursday, barricading themselves inside and raising the Russian flag after mysterious overnight raids that appeared to be the work of militant Russian nationalists who want this volatile Black Sea region ruled from Moscow.
37. "Armed men seize two airports in Ukraine's Crimea, Yanukovich reappears". Reuters. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
38. Putin ready to invade Ukraine; Kiev warns of war
39. Telecom services sabotaged in Ukraine's Crimea region UPI Retrieved on Feb. 28, 2014
40. Crimean parliament dismisses autonomous republic's government Feb. 27, 2014
41. Sengupta, Kim (04 March 2014). "Ukraine crisis: Intimidation and a chilling ultimatum from Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Belbek – but Ukrainian forces remain defiant". The Independent. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
42. "Two Russian warships seen off Ukraine coast, violate agreement: Interfax". Reuters. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
43. "Russian helicopters fly over Crimea – Ukraine border guards | Reuters". Uk.reuters.com. 9 February 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
44. Alissa de Carbonnel; Alessandra Prentice (28 February 2014). "Armed men seize two airports in Ukraine's Crimea, Yanukovich reappears". Reuters. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
45. Ukraine crisis: Crimea leader appeals to Putin for help BBC Retrieved on March 1, 2014
46. "Kremlin Clears Way for Force in Ukraine; Separatist Split Feared". New York Times. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
47. Order of the President of Ukraine № 187/2014. About the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. President of Ukraine official website. March 1, 2014
48. ^ "Турчинов издал указ о незаконности назначения Аксенова премьером Крыма". Gazeta.ua. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
49. Russian forces seize Crimea; Ukraine’s interim president decries ‘aggression’, Washington Post, 2 March 2014
50. Aksenov appointed Prime Minister of Crimea in violation of the Constitution of Ukraine and Crimea – decree. Korrespondent. March 1, 2014
51. The statement acting General Prosecutor of Ukraine Oleh of Makhnitsky (VIDEO). General Prosecutor of Ukraine. March 1, 2014
52. "Crimean Tatar Leader Tells People To Stay At Home, Avoid Confrontations". Rferl.org. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
53. "Ukraine declares general mobilization after Russia approves use of military force in Crimea". English pravda.ru. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
54. Ukrainian military resigning en masse in Crimea – reports RT Retrieved on March 2, 2014
55. Ukrainian troops in Crimea remain faithful to the oath – The Ministry of Defense. Ukrayinska Pravda. March 2, 2014
56. Ukrainian troops in Crimea remain faithful to the Military oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people. Ministry of Defense official website. March 2, 2014
57. New head of Ukraine's navy defects in Crimea BBC Retrieved on March 2, 2014
58. ^ "Ukraine-Russia dispute intensifies as ferry terminal in Crimea seized – World – CBC News". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
59. By DAVID McHUGH and DALTON BENNET Associated Press (2 March 2013). "Pro-Russian Troops Take Crimea Terminal in Ukraine – ABC News". Abcnews.go.com. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
60. http://www.diena.lt/naujienos/pasaulis/ekonomika-ir-politika/rusijos-baltijos-laivynas-vykdo-pratybas-netiketa-pajegu-parengties-patikrinima-618167
61. http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/721751
62. http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/64476/lithuanian-polish-presidents-call-for-nato-treaty-article-4-consultations-201464476
63. http://www.prezydent.pl/aktualnosci/wydarzenia/art,2825,rola-polski-wskazywanie-ze-rosja-lamie-prawo-miedzynarodowe.html
64. http://www.tvn24.pl/na-wniosek-polski-zbiera-sie-nato-obama-rosja-staje-po-zlej-stronie-historii,403743,s.html
65. http://news.yahoo.com/eu-leaders-hold-summit-ukraine-thursday-175852481.html
66. "Obama: Russia 'On The Wrong Side Of History' On Ukraine". Huffington Post.
67. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10672977/Ukraine-crisis-Russia-faces-costs-and-consequences-warns-William-Hague.html
68. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26405321
69. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26415789
70. Ukraine revolt was anti-constitutional coup, Putin says CBC Retrieved on March 4, 2014
71. Putin: Russia not yet sending troops into Ukraine BBC Retrieved on March 4, 2014
72. ^ What is so dangerous about Crimea?, BBC, 27 February 2014.
73. Calamur, Krishnadev (27 February 2014). "Crimea: A Gift To Ukraine Becomes A Political Flash Point". NPR. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
74. Keating, Joshua (25 February 2014). "Kruschev's Gift". Slate. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
75. Schmemann, Serge (6 May 1992). "Crimea Parliament Votes to Back Independence From Ukraine". New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
76. Schmemann, Serge (22 May 1992). "Russia Votes to Void Cession of Crimea to Ukraine". New York Times. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
77. "Separatist Winning Crimea Presidency". New York Times. 31 January 1994. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
78. Bohlen, Celestine (23 March 1994). "Russia vs. Ukraine: A Case of the Crimean Jitters". New York Times. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
79. ^ Crimea and the Black Sea Fleet in Russian- Ukrainian Relations, Paper by Victor Zaborsky, September 1995
80. What is so dangerous about Crimea?, bbc, 27 February 2014
81. "Ukraine Moves To Oust Leader Of Separatists". New York Times. 19 March 1995. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
82. ^ "Crimea wants to equate its Constitution with Ukraine's Basic Law". Ukrinform. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
83. Russia, Ukraine agree on naval-base-for-gas deal, CNN (21 April 2010)
84. ^ Mark Mackinnon (27 February 2014). "Globe in Ukraine: Russian-backed fighters restrict access to Crimean city". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
85. The Tatars of Crimea: Return to the Homeland : Studies and Documents.
86. Regions Party gets 80 of 100 seats on Crimean parliament, Interfax Ukraine (11 November 2010).
87. "Thousands mourn Ukraine protester amid unrest – Europe". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
88. "У Сумах розгромили офіс ПР | INSIDER". Theinsider.ua. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
89. "В Киеве разгромили офис ЦК КПУ". Gazeta.ua. 22 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
90. ^ Crimea – The Achilles' Heel of Ukraine, International Centre for Defense Studies, November 2008
91. Russian ‘separatism’ in Crimea and NATO: Ukraine’s big hope, Russia’s grand gamble, By Elena Mizrokhi, August 2009
92. Englund, Will (2 March 2014). "Despite its problems, Ukraine is a prize for Russia, Europe". Washington Post. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
93. Crimea – from playground to battleground, opendemocracy.net, 27 February 2014.
94. Keating, Joshua (1 March 2014). "Crimean Foreshadowing". Slate. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
95. "Russia offers Ukraine major economic assistance". 17 December 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
96. ^ Ukraine: Speaker Oleksandr Turchynov named interim president, BBC News (23 February 2014)
    Ukraine protests timeline, BBC News (23 February 2014).
97. "В Украине захватывают областные госадминистрации" (in Ukrainian). Big Mir. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)
98. "EuroMaidan rallies in Ukraine". Kyiv Post. 21 February 2014. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)
99. "Regions Party gets 80 of 100 seats on Crimean parliament". Interfax-Ukraine. 11 November 2010. Archived from the original on 6 June 2012. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)
100. "Regions of Crimea meeting didn't address separation of Crimea from Ukraine – deputy prime minister of Crimea". Interfax-Ukraine. 21 February 2014. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)
101. Traynor, Ian (24 February 2014). "Western nations scramble to contain fallout from Ukraine crisis". The Guardian.
102. Ayres, Sabra (28 February 2014). "Is it too late for Kiev to woo Russian-speaking Ukraine?". CSM.
103. "На отмену закона о региональных языках на Украине наложат вето". Lenta.ru. 1 March 2014.
104. "У Криму вимагають розпуску парламенту автономії і знесення пам'ятника Леніну" (in Ukrainian). Radio Svoboda. 23 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)
105. "Ukraine crisis fuels secession calls in pro-Russian south". The Guardian. 24 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)
106. ^ "Rosja przygotowuje się do zbrojnej interwencji na Ukrainie?". Newsweek Polska (in Polish). 23 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help); Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)
107. "Прем'єр Криму Могильов заявляє, що виконуватиме нові закони" (in Ukrainian). Radio Svoboda. 23 February 2014. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)
108. "У Севастополі вимагають віддати владу "вибраному" на мітингу "меру "". Ukrayinska Pravda (in Ukrainian). 24 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
109. "Ukraine Liveblog: Day 7 — Decoding Documents & Indicting Dictators". The Interpreter. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
110. "Крым сепаратизм: Пророссийские силы заблокировали ВР Крыма, требуют референдума о независимости: парламент собирается на внеочередное заседание. ФОТОрепортаж – Беркут, ВР Крыма, избиение, Константинов, Крым, сепаратизм, евромайдан, Революция в Украине, Крым сепаратизм (25.02.14 17:32) « Политика Украины « Фоторепортажи | Цензор.НЕТ". Censor.net.ua. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
111. Kuzio, Taras (1 January 1998). Contemporary Ukraine: Dynamics of Post-Soviet Transformation. M.E. Sharpe. p. 44. ISBN 9780765631503. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
112. Howard Amos (25 February 2014). "Ukraine: Sevastopol installs pro-Russian mayor as separatism fears grow". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
113. "Активисты Крыма требуют отделения полуострова от Украины :: Политика". Top.rbc.ru. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
114. "Stones, bottles thrown as pro-, anti-Russian protesters clash in Crimea". Rt.com. 27 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
115. Prentice, Alessandra (31 December 1999). "Ukraine leader warns Russia after armed men seize government HQ in Crimea: Thomson Reuters Business News". Money. MSN. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
116. "правий сектор не братиме участь у регулювання ситуація у криму", Mirror Weekly (in Ukrainian), 27 February 2014 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link).
117. Crimea sets date for autonomy vote amid gunmen, anti-Kiev protests, (27 February 2014).
118. Template:Uk icon Anyone with a weapon will be prosecuted – Yatseniuk, Ukrayinska Pravda (27 February 2014)
119. About 50 armed men in military uniform seize Simferopol Airport in early hours of Friday, Interfax-Ukraine (28 February 2014).
120. Armed people took under control airports in Crimea. Ukrinform. 28 February 2014.
121. In Crimea, the Black Sea Fleet missile boat blocked out Ukrainian border guard ships – source. UNIAN. 28 February 2014.
122. Eight Russian military helicopters arrived in Sevastapol. Mirror Weekly. 28 February 2014.
123. ^ "літаків з російськими десантника прзібілі до риму куніцин", UNIAN (in Ukrainian), UA, 28 February 2014, archived from the original on 28 February 2014 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help).
124. "міноборони в ніч на суботу радикал плану ют вторжение у військові частини в криму", UNIAN (in Ukrainian), UA, 28 February 2014 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help).
125. "Ukraine crisis: Crimea leader appeals to Putin for help". BBC News. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
126. "Over 10,000 protest in Ukraine's pro-Russia city of Donetsk". Business Insider. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
127. "Putin requests senators' approval to send troops to Crimea". RT. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
128. "Lawmakers Allow Putin to Use Military in Ukraine". ABC News. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
129. "Совет Федерации разрешил Путину ввести войска на Украину". Lenta.ru. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
130. Russian passports already received nine "Berkuts". Ukrayinska Pravda. March 1, 2014
131. ^ Ukrainian Navy ships left Sevastopol. UNIAN. March 1, 2014
132. ^ "Hetman Sahaidachny" left the Ukrainian Navy's main base in Sevastopol – Media. Ukrinform. March 1, 2014
133. The entrance to Crimea was blocked by unknown in camouflaged and with assault rifles and St. George ribbon. Ukrayinska Pravda. March 1, 2014
134. The decision of the Crimean council on a referendum and the government's resignation were falsified – media. Ukrayinska Pravda. March 1, 2014
135. For a referendum on the status of Crimea "voted" number of MPs who were absent in the parliament of Crimea. Mirror Weekly. March 1, 2014
136. Konstantinov falsified decision of the Crimean council on the referendum and the government's resignation – media. Ukrinform. March 1, 2014
137. "Congress considering authorizing defense arms package to Ukraine". Twitter. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
138. "В США заявили, что могут дать Украине оружие и выгнать Россию из G8" (in Russian). GlavRed.info. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
139. Kryzys na Krymie. Kijów zarządził mobilizację wojsk. Rosjanie wejdą na Ukrainę?. Gazeta Wyborcza. March 2, 2014
140. "Російські військові штурмують українську частину в Севастополі | Українська правда". Pravda.com.ua. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
141. "Ukrainian military resigning en masse in Crimea – reports". RT. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
142. "Ukraine calls up reservists after Russian deployment". BBC. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
143. "Extraordinary stand-off at Crimea military base". ITV News. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
144. "Ukraine warns Russia that Crimea intervention will lead to war – live". The Guardian. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
145. "Ukraine: live". Telegraph. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
146. "ITAR TASS Russia News Agency". En.itar-tass.com. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
147. "Russia gives Ukrainian forces in Crimea ultimatum to surrender – Interfax". Reuters. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
148. "Europe Russia 'demands Ukrainian navy surrender'". aljazeera. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
149. Ukraine's Yanukovych asked for troops, Russia tells UN BBC Retrieved on March 4, 2014
150. "Russian markets plunge as Putin tightens Crimea grip". Reuters. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
151. ^ "Ukraine crisis: Why it matters to the world economy". CNN. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
152. "Russia Gas Threat Shows Putin Using Pipes to Press Ukraine". bloomberg. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
153. "Three ex-Ukrainian presidents blame Russia for meddling in Crimean affairs", Interfax, UA {{citation}}: Text "26 February 2014" ignored (help).
154. "The CEC assured that Crimean referendum cannot be held", Ukrayinska Pravda, 27 February 2014.
155. "Turchynov instructed to quickly develop a new language law", Urkayinska Pravda, 27 February 2014.
156. "New Ukrainian government gets to work", Euronews, 27 February 2014.
157. ^ "Failure to comply with the Agreement on the crisis settlement lies on Yanukovych – Foreign Ministry", Ukrayinska Pravda, 28 February 2014.
158. ^ Rada supported the resolution on Crimea against Russian intervention. Ukrayinska Pravda. 28 February 2014.
159. Rada urged Russia not to encroach on the territory of Ukraine. Ukrinform. 28 February 2014.
160. Ukraine's acting President dismisses Chief of General Staff. Pravda. 28 February 2014.
161. Due to events in Crimea Ukraine Foreign Ministry asked for consultations with Russia. UNIAN 28 February 2014.
162. GPU is preparing petition for extradition of Yanukovych. UNIAN 28 February 2014.
163. Yanukovych Extradition: Ukraine Officially Asks Russia To Extradite Ukrainian President. The Huffington Post 28 February 2014.
164. Leader of Ukrainian radical organization Right Sector denies plans to send armed units to Crimea, Interfax-Ukraine (28 February 2014).
165. "Лидер "Правого сектора" Ярош обратился за помощью к Доку Умарову". Lifenews.ru. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
166. "Пресс-секретарь "Правого сектора" заявил о взломе сообщества организации ВКонтакте". Tvrain.ru. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
167. Turchynov signed a decree on illegal appointment of Aksenov. Ukrayinska Pravda. 1 March 2014.
168. Three presidents urged to discontinue the "Kharkiv Agreements". Ukrayinska Pravda. March 1, 2014
169. Leonid Kuchma's press-center refutes the statement. Interfax
170. Turchynov commanded to bring into full combat readiness the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Ukrinform. March 1, 2014
171. "Облсовет Луганская угрожает разоружить Майдан руками "братской" России". Gazeta.ua. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
172. Prosecutor General's Office filed another criminal case against Yanukovych. UNIAN. March 2, 2014
173. Kerch ferry is not being serviced, special order. Ukrayinska Pravda. February 27, 2014.
174. Ukrainians of Crimea asked the Ukrainian authorities to prevent a war on the peninsula. Interfax. 27 February 2014.
175. Crimea used Yanukovych to ask for money in Russia. Ukrayinska Pravda. 28 February 2014.
176. Konstantinov explained to Shufrych what they want in Crimea. Ukrinform. 28 February 2014.
177. Former chief of general staff Illin got to the Sevastopol hospital. Ukrinform. 28 February 2014.
178. Sneider, Noah. "Crimea's Coward". Slate.com.
179. Yanukovych and Zakharchenko are on the international wanted list. Ukrayinska Pravda. 26 February 2014.
180. ^ Did Yanukovych indeed arrived to Rostov-na-Donu accompanied by fighters? Ukrayinska Pravda. February 28, 2014.
181. ^ Crimea must remain part of Ukraine, enjoy broad autonomy rights – Yanukovych, Interfax-Ukraine (28 February 2014).
182. Ukrainian ex-leader Viktor Yanukovych vows fightback, BBC News (28 February 2014).
183. ^ "Ukraine crisis live: Russia admits its troops are moving in Crimea". UK Telegraph. Retrieved 28 February 2014. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
184. "Чуркин сообщил об обращении Януковича к Путину". Lenta.ru. 4 March 2014.
185. Rothkopf, David. "All (Not) Quiet on Ukraine's Eastern Front". Blog.foreignpolicy.com. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
186. "» Russia May Be Preparing to Annex Crimea Alex Jones' Infowars: There's a war on for your mind!". Infowars.com. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
187. "Российские паспорта и присоединение к РФ: Депутаты Госдумы прибыли в Крым". Gordonua (in Ukrainian). 25 February 2014.
188. "В Госдуме опровергли данные о выдаче паспортов РФ жителям Крыма". Argumenty i Fakty (in Ukrainian). 25 February 2014.
189. "Росія обіцяє втрутитися, якщо ''росіянам в Україні буде загроза'' | Українська правда". Pravda.com.ua. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
190. "У Росії Януковича все ще вважають президентом – Слуцький | Українська правда". Pravda.com.ua. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
191. "Госдума России обсуждает меры по защите крымчан – Интерфакс". Interfax.ru. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
192. Alpert, Lukas I. "Russia Orders Military Exercises Amid Ukraine Tension - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
193. Comment of the Press and Information Department of the Russian MFA in connection to the media question about the movements of the Black Sea Fleet armored vehicles. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. 27 February 2014.
194. Russian Foreign Ministry commented on the movement of armored vehicles in Crimea. Ukrayinska Pravda. 27 February 2014.
195. Russian Defense Ministry: The Black Sea Fleet is not a threat to the situation in Ukraine. RIA News. 27 February 2014.
196. Draft law of FMS and the Ministry of Economy of granting citizenship. RIA News. 27 February 2014.
197. ^ MID of Russia made another statement on Ukraine: militants, NATO, provocations. Ukrayinska Pravda. 27 February 2014.
198. "Tensions high at Kiev protest camp despite ground-breaking deal". CTV News. 21 February 2014. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)
199. Russian Black Sea Fleet claims it was not blocking the Ukrainian airport. Ukrayinska Pravda. 28 February 2014.
200. Does State Duma want to simplify annexation of Crimea?. Ukrayinska Pravda. 28 February 2014.
201. Russia has suspended negotiations with Ukraine on the project of Kerch bridge. Ukrinform. 28 February 2014.
202. In Russia are gathering "tourists" to Ukraine, who served in the military. Ukrayinska Pravda. 28 February 2014.
203. Council of the Federation: Russia may introduce troops into Crimea. Ukrainska Pravda. 1 March 2014.
204. "Russian parliament asks Putin to stabilise Ukraine's Crimea Crisis". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
205. ^ "Vladimir Putin sees small protests, mass support for troops in Ukraine (+video)". The Christian-Science Monitor. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2013.
206. "Mass marches held to support Ukrainian compatriots in big Russian cities". Voice of Russia. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2014.
207. In Russia were detained activists who protested against the war with Ukraine. UNIAN. March 1, 2014
208. "На антивоенных акциях в Москве задержаны 300 человек" (in Russian). Utro.ru. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
209. "В Москве и Перебурге проходят митинги против российской оккупации Крыма. Уже есть задержанные" (in Russian). Центр журналистских расследований. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
210. "Жители Екатеринбурга провели пикеты против ввода российских войск в Крым" (in Russian). Komsomolskaya Pravda. Retrieved 2 March 2014. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
211. ""Сколько детей ты готов похоронить, чтобы Крым стал частью России?" Первые антивоенные пикеты прошли на Урале" (in Russian). Ura.ru. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
212. "Ukraine Crisis: World Leaders React to Unfolding Disaster in Crimea". International Business Times. 2 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
213. "Sanctions threat grows as Ukraine tensions rise". Mainichi Shimbun. 4 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
214. "Emergency UN Security Council talks on Ukraine begin". The Straits Times. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
215. "Lawmakers call for suspension of Russia from G8, swift action against Putin".
216. "Russia G8 status at risk over 'incredible act of aggression' in Crimea, says Kerry".
217. Babiak, Mat. "Is Russia Opening a 'Crimean Front'?". Ukrainian Policy. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 21 February 2014. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 1 December 2008 suggested (help)
218. Rothkopf, David (26 February 2014). "Dear Kremlin: Careful with Crimea". Foreign policy. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
219. "Russia's Crimean Shore?". Project Syndicate. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
220. "Historical tensions bubble up in Crimea". Deutsch Welle. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
221. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/crimea-invasion-putin-acting-like-hitler-ukraine-land-snatch-1438714
222. Reitschuster, Boris (7 February 2014). "Sochi is to Putin what Berlin in 1936 was to Hitler, says Garry Kasparov". The Guardian.
223. http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000251410
224. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/john-baird-compares-russia-s-ukraine-response-to-nazi-invasion-of-czechoslovakia-1.2558118
225. ^ "Ukraine: The Price of Internal Division". Jack F. Matlock. 1 March 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
226. Trenin, Dmitri. "The crisis in Crimea could lead the world into a second cold war". The Observer.
227. Sharma, Rajeev. "Another Cold War? India can't ignore Crimea crisis in Ukraine". First Post World.

External links

• Ukraine crisis on BBC News Online
• Ukraine crisis on The Daily Telegraph

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

Template:Ongoing protests Template:Anti-government protests in the 21st century

• Current events from March 2014
• Articles to be merged from March 2014
• 2014 in international relations
• 2014 in Russia
• 2014 in Ukraine
• 2014 protests
• Conflicts in 2014
• Euromaidan
• History of Crimea
• Military history of Russia
• Military history of Ukraine
• Political scandals in Ukraine
• Protests in Ukraine
• Riots and civil disorder in Ukraine
• Russia–European Union relations
• Russia–Ukraine relations
• Russia–United Kingdom relations
• Russia–United States relations