Russian military issues ultimatum to Ukraine: Surrender by 5 a.m. on March 4 or face attack

March 3, 2014

March 3, 7:07 p.m. — Russian Black Sea Fleet Commander Aleksandr Vitko has delivered an ultimatum to the Ukrainian military in Crimea, Interfax-Ukraine reported, citing Ukraine’s Defense Ministry. “If by 0500 tomorrow (March 4) they do not surrender, a real assault on the units and detachments of the armed forces of Ukraine will start across Crimea,” the ministry said. Russian soldiers are are conveying this warning of the Russian Black Sea Fleet commander to Ukrainian soldiers in Crimea, the news agency reported. — Anastasia Forina

Two Ukrainian ship officials confirm Russian ultimatum to Channel 5

March 3, 6:28 p.m. — A Ukrainian naval officer, Alexei Kyrylov, confirmed to Channel 5 today that the Russian Black Sea Fleet command has issued an ultimatum to Ukrainian naval forces to surrender by 5 p.m. today. Kyrylov told the news channel that he expected an attack by 7 p.m. tonight. Kyrylov is stationed with two Ukrainian ships Ternopil and Slavutych in Sevastopol Bay. Security sources confirmed to the Kyiv Post that the Russian threat took place. — Anastasia Forina

Interior Ministry denies Russian claims of increase in refugees fleeing Ukraine

March 3, 6:12 p.m. — Ukrainian Interior Ministry spokesman Evgeniy Perebyynis said that Russian news media claims of an increase in refugees fleeing from Ukraine to Russia are false. Perebyynis also warned of the poissibility of Russian ground forces entering Ukrainian territory besides the Crimea. — Solomiya Zineyevych

Foreign minister says OSCE pledges help 

March 3, 6:10 p.m. Ukraine’s new Foreign Minister Andriy Dyschytsya said that the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is ready to support Ukraine and help to protect its territory. “We use all possible sources to avoid military conflict and solve the issue diplomatically,” he said. “I applied for am waiting for the conversation with” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. —

Russian ultimatum is being broadcast via loudspeaker offshore in Crimea

March 3, 5:58 pm. Kyiv Post editor Christopher J. Miller in Crimea said that a Russian ship was circling a Ukrainian ship off the shore and yelling what appeared to be an ultimatum, repeatedly, via loudspeaker, but the words were muffled. The Ukrainians on shop are all armed, but the Russian ship was too far from the shore to see. — Brian Bonner.

Naval spokesman confirms Russian ultimatum, differs on time

March 3, 5:54 p.m. — Oleg Chubuk, a spokesman of Ukraine’s naval forces, told the Kyiv Post: “As far as I know, an ultimatum has been voiced for 6 p.m. (today) with the demand to Ukraine’s soldiers to surrender arms,” he said, adding that the time could be changed. “Ukraine’s sailors don’t yield the provocations, guns are under control.” He said that Ukrainian forces would be required to defend themselves in event of attack. — Oksana Grytsenko

Russians issued earlier ultimatum about attack, Turchynov says

March 3, 5:38 p.m. Russian military commanders have reportedly given the Ukrainian navy until 7 p.m. today to surrender and Ukrainian troops stationed on Crimea’s mainland until 5 a.m. tomorrow — or else they face attack. But the threats could be part of the war of nerves designed to rattle Ukraine. The nation’s interim President Oleksandr Turchynov said that Russia gave Ukraine a similar ultimatum two days earlier, with the deadline of 5 a.m. on March 2. “They didn’t start storming the bases on 5 a.m., but the situation is still tense there,” he said earlier. —

Ukrainian officials: Russians planning provocations in Crimea to justify war

March 3, 5:22 p.m. — Deputy Ukrainian Interior Minister Mykola Velykovych issues a warning that Russia is preparing violent provocations to justify using military force. “There is a provocation expected in Crimea. Unknown persons pretending to be the Ukrainian side plan to kill three or four Russian soldiers to legitimize bringing Russian troops to the territory of Ukraine. We would like these people to come to their senses because this way you provoke a bloodshed, which has not happened in Crimea. This is why it’s very important for you to understand that people’s lives are the highest value, and thus we urge you to come to your senses, we urge you to stop and remember that the situation is being monitored, the situation is controlled, we follow up on it and all guilty persons involved will be punished.” –– Katya Gorchinskaya

Source = Kyiv Post

————————————————————————

UKRAINE NEWS ARCHIVE

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING

————————————————————————