Government buildings in Crimea stormed by armed men, raise Russian flag - Polidicks

[IMG]http://i.cbc.ca/1.2553153.1393479944!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/ukraine-protests.jpg[/IMG] [QUOTE]Several dozen armed men have stormed and seized the buildings of the legislature and the local government in Ukraine's Crimea region and raised a Russian flag over a barricade. The men occupying the parliament building in the regional capital, Simferopol, early Thursday did not come out to voice any demands. They wore black and orange ribbons, a Russian symbol of the victory in World War II. The men also put up a sign saying "Crimea is Russia." They threw a flash grenade in response to a journalist's questions. Phone calls to the Crimean legislature rang unanswered, and its website was down. Refat Chubarov, a local leader of the Tatar community, wrote on his Facebook page early Thursday that the two buildings were taken overnight by uniformed men. New government expected today Russia has questioned the legitimacy of the new Ukrainian authorities after pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych fled last week, and it has accused them of failing to control radicals who threaten the Russia-speaking population in Ukraine's east and south, which includes the Crimean Peninsula. Ukraine's new government was expected to be formally approved by parliament Thursday. It will face the hugely complicated task of restoring stability in a country that is not only deeply divided politically but on the verge of financial collapse. Across Ukraine, the divided allegiances between Russia and the West were on full display Wednesday as fistfights broke out between pro- and anti-Russia protesters in the strategic Crimea peninsula. In the regional capital of Simferopol, some 20,000 Muslim Tatars rallying in support of Ukraine's interim leaders clashed with a smaller pro-Russian rally. European loyalties run highest in the Ukrainian-speaking west of the country, while the eastern half generally falls more into the Russian orbit. Hover over the red and blue dots to learn more about specific flashpoints in the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin put the military on alert for massive exercises involving most of the military units in western Russia, and announced measures to tighten security at the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet on the peninsula. The maneuvers will involve some 150,000 troops, 880 tanks, 90 aircraft and 80 navy ships, and are intended to "check the troops' readiness for action in crisis situations that threaten the nation's military security," Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said in remarks carried by Russian news agencies. Igor Korotchenko, a former colonel of the Russian military's General Staff, wrote a commentary in a Russian online newspaper, slon.ru, saying "if illegal armed formations attempt to overthrow the local government in Crimea by force, a civil war will start and Russia couldn't ignore it." [/QUOTE] [url]http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-government-building-in-crimea-seized-by-armed-men-1.2553151[/url]

[QUOTE]They threw a flash grenade in response to a journalist's questions.[/QUOTE] I can imagine how this played out "What do you think about the cu-" [B]*flash*[/B]

[quote]"if illegal armed formations attempt to overthrow the local government in Crimea by force, a civil war will start and Russia couldn't ignore it."[/quote] So literally what has happened with them propping up Pro-Russian bodies in the region in place of the existing ones.

Updates: [QUOTE]Simferopol (Ukraine) (AFP) - Pro-Russian armed men seized control of parliament and government buildings in the Ukrainian region of Crimea on Thursday and hoisted Russian flags, officials said. Up to 50 men with weapons marched into the buildings in the regional capital of Simferopol in a dawn raid and blocked government workers from entering, Crimean prime minister Anatoliy Mohilyov told AFP. Local authorities were preparing to "take measures", Mohilyov said without elaborating. Ukraine's interim interior minister Arsen Avakov said security forces were being mobilised. "Interior troops and the entire police force have been put on alert," Avakov said in a statement on Facebook, adding that the area had been cordoned off "to prevent bloodshed". In a statement the regional government asked employees "not to come to work today." An AFP journalist at the scene said police were pushing people back from around occupied administrative buildings. Dozens of men in full combat dress but without any markings of affiliation marched into the government and parliament and removed the guards without any fight, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency quoted sources in parliament as saying. It said they gained entrance to the building complex by firing on the glass doors but that no-one was hurt. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said a large number of cars were seen travelling from the pro-Russian port town of Sevastopol towards Simferopol. The moves came amid concerns of growing separatism on the overwhelmingly pro-Russian peninsula on the Black Sea after the ousting of pro-Moscow president Viktor Yanukovych.[/QUOTE] [url]http://news.yahoo.com/pro-russia-armed-men-seize-crimea-parliament-govt-064322545.html[/url] I wonder what the Ukrainian government is going to do. [QUOTE]Armed men seize regional government, parliament buildings * Police gather outside, Russian flag flying * Door barricaded with chairs, tables[/QUOTE] [url]http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/02/27/ukraine-crisis-crimea-idUKL6N0LW0AY20140227?feedType=RSS&feedName=rbssFinancialServicesAndRealEstateNews[/url]

This is getting out of hand. The Ukranian government needs to deploy its military and show the Russians they can't just be walked on.

[QUOTE=G3rman;44064632]This is getting out of hand. The Ukranian government needs to deploy its military and show the Russians they can't just be walked on.[/QUOTE] ...Do you really think Russian soldiers did it?

[QUOTE=Azaz3l;44064640]...Do you really think Russian soldiers did it?[/QUOTE] Not really, I'm talking about the Crimean situation in general. These insurgents are acting up because they think the Russians are going to protect them from their own country's laws. The military needs to take a hold of the situation.

[QUOTE=G3rman;44064741]Not really, I'm talking about the Crimean situation in general. These insurgents are acting up because they think the Russians are going to protect them from their own country's laws. The military needs to take a hold of the situation.[/QUOTE] By repeating Georgia?

[QUOTE=laserguided;44064748]By repeating Georgia?[/QUOTE] You expect Ukraine to have any kind of legitimacy if they let a foreign country stay on their soil?

[QUOTE=G3rman;44064828]You expect Ukraine to have any kind of legitimacy if they let a foreign country stay on their soil?[/QUOTE] So you're suggesting Ukraine's federal authorities remove all ethnic Russians and somehow challenge Russia's military bases in eastern Ukraine? Russia has 26,000 troops stationed in Sevastopol alone. Russia can take Crimea if they want.

[QUOTE=laserguided;44064846]So you're suggesting Ukraine's federal authorities remove all ethnic Russians and somehow challenge Russia's military bases in eastern Ukraine? Russia has 26,000 troops stationed in Sevastopol alone. Russia can take Crimea if they want.[/QUOTE] It doesn't change the fact that they are on Ukranian soil, violating their sovereignty. Ukraine has to gain control and ensure the safety of its citizens, Russian or not. And no, I'm not suggesting they remove ethnic Russians because only a minority are actually taking up arms (which are the ones I'm saying need to be arrested). Simply because Russia has a military base in the Crimean peninsula does not mean they have permission to enter the foreign soil of their neighboring country. They are stretching the pretense to their advantage to try and gain the resource rich region when they have no actual right to be there, outside of locals asking them to stay.

[QUOTE=G3rman;44064918]It doesn't change the fact that they are on Ukranian soil, violating their sovereignty. Ukraine has to gain control and ensure the safety of its citizens, Russian or not. And no, I'm not suggesting they remove ethnic Russians because only a minority are actually taking up arms (which are the ones I'm saying need to be arrested). Simply because Russia has a military base in the Crimean peninsula does not mean they have permission to enter the foreign soil of their neighboring country. They are stretching the pretense to their advantage to try and gain the resource rich region when they have no actual right to be there, outside of locals asking them to stay.[/QUOTE] Well actually there are treaties in place that allow movement of Russian troops on Crimean soil. Regardless, these are Pro-Russia separatists, as evidenced by the fact that they raised a Russian flag. Ukraine's federal government knows that if it tries anything it's putting its economy and it's borders at risk.

It may be for the best of everyone if Crimea broke off and became either independent country or just joined Russia. I have talked to couple friends from Crimea and while they obviously cannot speak for everyone, the idea of Russian Crimea seems to be quite favored. Of course, such separation should be based on an official referendum among the Crimean citizens, first and foremost. [editline]27th February 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=G3rman;44064828]You expect Ukraine to have any kind of legitimacy if they let a foreign country stay on their soil?[/QUOTE] Ukraine doesn't exactly have any legitimate government right now, tho. It's practically in chaotic and to a degree lawless state. They have a lot of stuff to figure out until anybody can speak of a degree of legitimacy.

BTR's near Simferopol, [IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1972381_630485077022165_512643240_n.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=laserguided;44065079]BTR's near Simferopol, [IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1972381_630485077022165_512643240_n.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] They are only half an hour away

[QUOTE=laserguided;44064748]By repeating Georgia?[/QUOTE] Thing with Georiga is Ossetia was de facto Independent of Georgia for 17 years before August 8th. [editline]27th February 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=laserguided;44065079]BTR's near Simferopol, [IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1/1972381_630485077022165_512643240_n.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] Assume these are Russian correct? Aren't they in violation of some agreement since I thought Russian forces were restricted to Sevastopol.

[QUOTE=G3rman;44064632]This is getting out of hand. The Ukranian government needs to deploy its military and show the Russians they can't just be walked on.[/QUOTE] Thank you for pointing out the exact opposite of what they should do. The Crimean people have a grievance that must be addressed. Meeting their concerns with brutality makes Kiev no better now than it was under Yanukovych. Plus, right now if they just sit back it makes Putin and Medvedev look like imperialists. EDIT: In fact, I think the best thing to do right now would be to diplomatically handle the Crimea situation while cleaning up elsewhere. Kiev needs to show that it can maintain order while not engaging Russia or the Crimean demonstrators in any conflict. If that means setting up roadblocks and letting them burn everything down on their side, so be it.

People are protesting in favour of Russia outside the seized parliament building. [IMG]http://s1.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20140227&t=2&i=849091215&w=&fh=&fw=&ll=700&pl=378&r=CBREA1Q0Y9H00[/IMG]