Update of the situation in Ukraine (February, 27 – March, 3)

February 27

Russian-speaking armed people wearing masks and no identifiable marks on their uniforms took up positions around a coast guard base and two airports in the Crimean peninsula strategically located on the Black Sea.

Earlier, unidentified armed people entered the Crimean parliament in the regional Crimean centre Simferopol by force on morning, and hoisted a Russian flag on the roof.

The Crimean parliament later announced it would hold a referendum on expanding the region’s autonomy on 25 May.

Ukraine’s new authority called the seizure of the buildings an invasion of the country by Russia. The foreign ministry protested that Russia had violated its airspace and broken the terms of the lease on its Black Sea navy base in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

28 February

Ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has held his first press-conference since leaving the country in the southern Russian city Rostov-on-Don.

He said he was “not overthrown”, but was compelled to leave Ukraine after threats to his life. Mr Yanukovych also insisted that he is the legitimate president of Ukraine and would continue to fight for his country.

The Ukrainian border guard service said that more than 10 Russian military helicopters flew from Russia into Ukrainian airspace over the Crimea region.

Mobile, landline and Internet access has been cut off in parts of the Crimea region, according to a statement from Ukrtelecom, the Ukrainian National Telecommunications operator.

1 March

Acting president Oleksandr Turchynov said the Ukrainian military would not be baited. He called on Russian president Vladimir Putin to “stop provocations.”

The U.N. Security Council, including Russia, held private consultations on the crisis with no publicized result.

Russia’s upper house of parliament has approved President Vladimir Putin’s request for Russian forces to be used in Ukraine. He had asked that Russian forces be used “until the normalisation of the political situation in the country”.

Pro-Russian demonstrations raised the Russian flag Saturday over Kharkiv city hall after a demonstration turned violent. Russia supporters clashed with backers of the Ukrainian government who were guarding the building. Government supporters were left beaten and bloodied. Ukrainian and television news wires reported pro-Russians demonstrations in Donetsk and Odessa.

Pro-Russian demonstrators removed the Ukrainian national flag from remains of Lenins monument an the Geroiv Maydana Square and destroyed hand maid memorial of Maydan victims. Several journalists have been beaten by these demonstrators. Later they raised the Russian flag near Dnipropetrovsk City Council.

NGOs, some political parties and activists of Maydan create National Defence Centre of Dnipropetrovsk region and take under control Regional State Administration because of disengagement local authorities. Zelenyi Svit also came to this Centre.

2 March

After the Russian parliament approved the deployment of more soldiers to the Crimean peninsula, Andriy Parubiy, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, announced Sunday that the Ukrainian defence ministry had orders to assemble all soldiers.

In Dnipropetrovsk more than 10 thousand of people are gathered near the buildings of Dnipropetrovsk regional council and Dnipropetrovsk regional administration on national assemble (“Viche”) to declare protest against separatism and Russian military intervention in Crimea.

Ihor Kolomoyskyi (famous businessman, owner of business group “Privat”) was nominated as the chair of Dnipropetrovsk regional administration. Dnipropetrovsk assemble supported this nomination.

3 March

The biggest broadcasting company in Crimea – ‘Chermonorskaya’ – went off the air because of the threats to its employees. After its switching off the only broadcasting company which keeps working is Crimea State broadcaster, which is controlled by illegitimate self elected government of Sergei Aksenov.

In Crimea, the Russian military blocked the work of the military units in Novoozernoe, Perevalnoye and Feodosia. Ukrainian troops blocked in Feodosiya refuse to give up to the Russians and forswear

Donetsk Regional Council announced a referendum on joining the Russian Federation.

Viktor Yanukovich appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin to use Russia’s armed forces on the territory of Ukraine, stated Russian Ambassador to the UN Vitaly Churkin during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Condemning Russia’s intrusion into Ukraine, G7 countries have decided to halt their participation in preparations of the scheduled G8 summit in Sochi in June.

New Chair of Dnipropetrovsk regional administration, Ihor Kolomoyskyi came to Dnipropetrovsk, meet with activists of the National Defence Centre of Dnipropetrovsk region and said thanks all active people who don’t let destabilize situation in Dnipropetrovsk.

2 коментарі до “Update of the situation in Ukraine (February, 27 – March, 3)”

  1. As a green campaigner in the UK I have felt great sympathy with your struggles, including the undemocratic tendencies of the Yanukovich Government. I also am very opposed to the Russian actions in Crimea.

    However I am also very concerned that nationalist activists within Ukraine have reduced the possibilities for national reconciliation, and am alarmed at the presence of a far right party, the ‘Freedom’ Party in the Government of Ukraine. I recall that it was only in 2000 that the Government of Austria was given diplomatic sanctions by the EU because it included a far-right party, also called the ‘Freedom’ Party.
    I now feel very doubtful about giving unqualified support to the Ukrainian Government in this situation.

  2. Small correction : comment should read:

    As a green campaigner in the UK I have felt great sympathy with your struggles, including against the undemocratic tendencies of the Yanukovich Government. I also am very opposed to the Russian actions in Crimea.
    However I am also very concerned that nationalist activists within Ukraine have reduced the possibilities for national reconciliation, and am alarmed at the presence of a far right party, the ‘Freedom’ Party in the Government of Ukraine. I recall that it was only in 2000 that the Government of Austria was given diplomatic sanctions by the EU because it included a far-right party, also called the ‘Freedom’ Party.
    I now feel very doubtful about giving unqualified support to the Ukrainian Government in this situation.

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