New: Russian troops storm Ukrainian bases in Crimea
43 replies, posted
[img]http://www.aljazeera.com/mritems/Images/2014/3/22/201432213513645734_20.jpg[/img]
[quote]Shooting and explosions have been heard as Russian troops backed by armoured vehicles stormed a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea.
Reports say at least one person was injured during the assault on Belbek base, near Sevastopol. The base is now said to be under Russian control.
Earlier, several hundred unarmed protesters seized a Ukrainian naval base at Novofedorivka, western Crimea.
Pro-Russian militia have also been seizing Ukrainian navy ships.
The BBC's Ian Pannell, in Crimea, says the Ukrainian troops on the peninsula feel beleaguered and abandoned by their commanders in Ukraine.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law formalising Russia's takeover of Crimea from Ukraine, despite fresh sanctions from the EU and the US.
'All is in smoke'
In Belbek, two armoured personnel carriers burst through the wall of the base followed by Russian troops firing weapons in the air.
An ambulance was then seen entering the base amid reports that at least one person was injured.
The Ukrainian soldiers were later gathered at the base main square in front of the heavily armed Russian troops.
The Belbek base commander earlier told the few dozen troops still there to shoot in the air if they were attacked.
He said he had been waiting for days for orders from Kiev but told the BBC that none had been issued.
Ukraine's military chiefs deny this, saying each unit in Crimea has been issued with clear orders on what to do if attacked.
In Novofedorivka, attackers threw smoke bombs at the base.
"All is in smoke. We retreated to the main headquarters," a spokesman for the Ukraine defence ministry's Crimean region, Vladyslav Seleznyov, was quoted as saying by Ukrainian media.
He later said the Ukrainian forces had left the base after performing the national anthem.
Pro-Russian militia - backed by Russian forces - have already seized a number of Ukrainian bases in the southern peninsula.
"All of Crimea is Russia, and the Ukrainian force must leave," one of the pro-Russian activists told the BBC.[/quote]
[url]http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26698754[/url]
Just in case, this is new, updated about an hour ago.
What the hell, wasn't Ukraine going to move their troops out of Crimea anyway?
Batten down the hatches, shit's getting worse.
[QUOTE=MegaJohnny;44321339]What the hell, wasn't Ukraine going to move their troops out of Crimea anyway?[/QUOTE]
I believe they are, but Russia probably wants all the equipment within the bases along with the ships stationed in Crimea along with the region itself.
At this point I think Putin actually wants to start a war.
My question is, what are they doing with ukranian troops/personnel after they seize these bases? Are they immediately released, seized, what are they doing with them?
[QUOTE=soulharvester;44321397]My question is, what are they doing with ukranian troops/personnel after they seize these bases? Are they immediately released, seized, what are they doing with them?[/QUOTE]
They'll probably hold them prisoner, those who don't go over to their side, leastways for now. Worse might follow in case Czar Putin decides to go overboard.
[quote]In Belbek, two armoured personnel carriers burst through the wall of the base followed by Russian troops firing weapons in the air.
An ambulance was then seen entering the base amid reports that at least one person was injured.
[/quote]
Nice of them to send an ambulance during the fight. In my opinion it shows that they wanted to reduce the amount of casualites, although this does not in any way justify their storming the base.
Sending in unarmed protesters while presumably the russians watch on waiting the the Ukrainians to fire the first shot
[QUOTE=Complifused;44321499]Sending in unarmed protesters while presumably the russians watch on waiting the the Ukrainians to fire the first shot[/QUOTE]
It has to be pretty shitty watching your fellow ex-Ukrainians marching towards your base. The same people you vowed to protect. Damn, everything really is allowed in 'wars'.
All's fair in love and war (as they say)
Yeah but what interests me is whether he protesters willfully marched towards the base or were forced. If they did it willfully, it sheds new light regarding the Crimea situation, by which it means that Crimeans actually were against Crimea's staying with Ukraine.
I hate medias because of this reason, I'm really interested in what's going on over there, but every media house and news site gives contradicting information. This really sucks.
[QUOTE=Neinman;44321377]I believe they are, but Russia probably wants all the equipment within the bases along with the ships stationed in Crimea along with the region itself.[/QUOTE]
I wish they scuttled or withdrew everything. You'd think there were procedures for surrendering a military base like that.
[QUOTE=Oscar Lima Echo;44321597]I wish they scuttled or withdrew everything. You'd think there were procedures for surrendering a military base like that.[/QUOTE]
They probably do have scuttling procedures for every ship. Most of them are so old they won't even be valuable though.
Most of the aircraft at Belbek airbase were in disrepair too.
Weren't they blocking the ships so they couldn't leave?
[img]http://i.imgur.com/nRmEPtZ.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/amuUJNT.jpg[/img]
I think it's even funnier that after they broke through with the APC, they told someone to take the camera down. Like we don't know this happened?
Well, and here I was starting to feel like the Crimean secession was legit and orderly after all. Thanks for clearing that up, Putin.
I hope no one was hurt but at the same time I kinda hope any Ukrainians that were threatened defended themselves.
[QUOTE=MegaJohnny;44321339]What the hell, wasn't Ukraine going to move their troops out of Crimea anyway?[/QUOTE]
Yes, so this is just shitty as hell.
[QUOTE=WhyNott;44321306]Fuck fuck fuck fuck
very bad[/QUOTE]
it is bad though
[QUOTE=Jsm;44321805]I hope no one was hurt but at the same time I kinda hope any Ukrainians that were threatened defended themselves.
Yes, so this is just shitty as hell.[/QUOTE]
But if they defended themselves they would surely have died.
[QUOTE=Oscar Lima Echo;44321597]I wish they scuttled or withdrew everything. You'd think there were procedures for surrendering a military base like that.[/QUOTE]
A few weeks ago they were burning all the paperwork that they deemed to be secret. So there seems to be some sort of procedure for being overrun (which is the same thing I guess), I wonder if it extends to equipment.
[QUOTE=Jsm;44321815]A few weeks ago they were burning all the paperwork that they deemed to be secret. So there seems to be some sort of procedure for being overrun (which is the same thing I guess), I wonder if it extends to equipment.[/QUOTE]
Their equipment is useless anyways. It's literally all the old shit Russia is trying to replace.
[QUOTE=laserguided;44321810]But if they defended themselves they would surely have died.[/QUOTE]
Fair point, I cannot really see how shooting at the Russian military would end any other way when you put it like that.
Unless I'm misunderstanding this as usual, are the Russian troops really still badgering the Ukrainian forces, while they leave Crimea and let the Russians have exactly what they wanted?
If so, that's some extremely honorless shit they're pulling. If the Ukrainians are already just giving Crimea up to Russia and leaving as they were asked to, what the fuck are the Russians thinking, trying to piss them off and steal their shit as they pack up and move out?
Just when it looked like this was over and things might calm down, Russia slings another handful of shit into the fan for the hell of it.
[QUOTE=laserguided;44321822]Their equipment is useless anyways. It's literally all the old shit Russia is trying to replace.[/QUOTE]
It's still extra shit they can sell to other countries.
Glad to see the glorious Czar Putin take the fight to those evil terrorists Ukrainians who might have plans to steal Crimea from mother Russia
Terrorism doesn't ever win guys (sarcasm)
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