Russia Troops Continue to Flow into Crimea amid Conflicting Reports on Surrender Ultimatum to Ukraine Forces
Russian troops and military planes were flowing into Crimea on Monday in violation of accords between the two countries, Ukrainian border guards said, as Moscow reportedly warned Ukrainian forces in Crimea to surrender or face a confrontation.
The Interfax news agency quoted a Ukrainian defense ministry source as saying that “the Russian fleet has given Ukrainian forces in Crimea a 12-hour ultimatum to surrender or face a storm."
A Ukrainian defense ministry spokesman told Agence France Presse that Russian forces have given Ukrainian soldiers an ultimatum to surrender their positions in Crimea or face an assault.
"The ultimatum is to recognize the new Crimean authorities, lay down our weapons and leave, or be ready for an assault," said Vladyslav Seleznyov, the regional ministry spokesman for the Crimea. He said base commanders had informed the ministry of "different times" for the ultimatum to expire.
However, the Russian Black Sea fleet based in Crimea swiftly denied there were plans to storm Ukrainian military positions on the peninsula, calling reports of an ultimatum "nonsense," Interfax said.
"That is complete nonsense," a representative of the fleet was quoted as saying after Ukraine's regional military said it had received an ultimatum to surrender early Tuesday or face attack.
"We are used to daily accusations about using force against our Ukrainian colleagues," he said. "Efforts to make us clash won't work."
Over the last 24 hours, 10 Russian combat helicopters and eight military cargo planes have landed on the flashpoint Black Sea peninsula, the guards said in a statement, while four Russian warships have been in the port of Sevastopol since Saturday.
Kiev received no warning regarding the troop movements, even though that is required by the international laws regarding the stationing of Russia's Black Sea navy in Crimea.
Under these agreements, Ukraine should receive notice of any troop movements 72 hours in advance.
Crimea, which has housed Russian navies since the 18th century, has come under control of Russian forces and local pro-Kremlin militia, who have surrounded several Ukrainian military bases.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Igor Tenyukh has accused Russia of sending 6,000 additional troops into Crimea.
On Saturday, Russia's parliament gave President Vladimir Putin the green light to send troops to Ukraine, in a crisis that threatens to escalate into the worst since the Cold War.
Also on Monday, some 300 pro-Russian demonstrators occupied the regional government building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, stronghold of former president Viktor Yanukovych, an Agence France Presse reporter witnessed.
Between 3,000 and 4,000 protesters had gathered earlier in front of the building brandishing Russian flags and chanting "Russia, Russia!", before a smaller group broke into it, smashing windows and occupying several floors.
Source: Agence France Presse
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