You're reading: Peskov: Ukrainian servicemen may either leave Crimea or join Russian army

Ukrainian soldiers remaining in Crimea need to make a choice - they could join the Crimean forces which would become part of the Russian army or "be free to leave the peninsula", Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told BBC.

He said Russia was not going to start military operations in eastern regions of Ukraine.

Peskov said it was definitely not the question of military operations in eastern Ukraine but Russia would do everything possible, using the entire range of legal instruments consistent with international laws, in order to protect and stretch out a helping hand to the Russians who live in eastern Ukrainian regions.

As for the death of a Ukrainian serviceman in Crimea on Tuesday he said the pro-Russian Crimean forces were facing provocations from those wishing to cause conflict.

Reportedly, about 20,000 Ukrainian servicemen are currently staying in Crimea.