Russians storm Ukraine’s main naval base
Published by The Daily Mail (20th March 2014)
The Russian flag was flying over Ukraine’s naval headquarters last night after it was stormed by hundreds of militiamen and cossacks. The men broke open the gates of the base in Sevastopol yesterday, captured its commander and drive out troops loyal to Kiev.
The seizure raised tensions tensions despite a five-day truce between Moscow and Kiev. Last night Ukraine was drawing up plans to get the rest of its soldiers and their families outside of Crimea.
In a further sign of escalating tensions Kiev said it is introducing entry visas for Russians – a move that will infuriate Moscow and certainly lead to reprisals.
Immediately after the Sevastopol base was seized heavily-armed men wearing unmarked uniforms began guarding it. Alexsandr Vitko, commander of Moscow’s Black Sea fleet, later strode in to jubilant cheers from the crowd.
Ukraine demanded the release of Admiral Serhiy Hayduk, its navy chief, who was reported to have been detained in the incident. ‘There was nothing we could do against the crowd,’ said one Ukrainian officer. ‘Everything happened spontaneously.’
As Ukrainian troops started leaving in civilian clothing a self-appointed spokesman for the pro-Russian militia, Igor Yeskin, said raids on other military bases would continue because ‘the Ukrainian military is on the territory of the Russian Federation.’
At least one other base was taken as Russia tightened its noose following President Putin’s annexation of the region. A few hours earlier a confrontation between Ukrainian soldiers and pro-Russian militia left two dead in the Crimean capital Simferopol – the first military blood spilt in the three-week conflict.
As Ukrainian troops started leaving in civilian clothing a self-appointed spokesman for the pro-Russian militia, Igor Yeskin, said raids on other military bases would continue because ‘the Ukrainian military is on the territory of the Russian Federation.’