EuroMaidanSOS posts ‘no news-good news’ to its Facebook page at 5:20 a.m. on March 4
March 4, 6:17 a.m. — EuroMaidanSOS is reporting “no news-good news” some 20 minutes after a 5 a.m. March 4 deadline for Ukraine’s surrender from Russian military. There are also no reports at this hour from any wire services of conflict. If true, Russia has issued yet another ultimatum — the second this month — calling on Ukrainian forces to surrender while letting the deadline pass without taking action. While Russia denied issuing such an ultimatum, Ukrainian officials confirmed the threat and Kyiv Post journalists saw and heard a Russian warship issue commands via a loudspeaker to a Ukrainian one in Sevastopol Bay. It appears the war of nerves, but not shooting, continues at this hour. — Brian Bonner
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Ex-Putin adviser: Putin planning to kill Russians to justify invasion
March 4, 12:01 a.m. — A former top adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Andrey Illarionov, claims that a group of Russian special forces troops have been brought to Crimea to kill Russian troops and Russian citizens to provide justification for the Kremlin’s invasion. Putin’s military attack on Ukraine has been portrayed by the Kremlin as a mission to protect Russian nationals and Russian speakers in the country. In order for this narrative to have any credibility, threats to Ukraine’s Russian speakers must now be fabricated. Russian TV has already been exposed for using archive footage of violent Kyiv street clashes and claiming that the scenes depicted unrest in Crimea, but the deaths of Russian nationals would provide Putin with far more tangible evidence to justify his invasion of Ukraine. The preceding is an English language translation of the following article by Peter Dickinson, editor of Business Ukraine and producer of Jewish News One TV station. Read more here: http://www.facenews.ua/news/2014/191111/ — Brian Bonner
Russians say there is no ultimatum on Ukraine to surrender
March 3, 10:57 p.m. — Assuming the Kremlin has any credibility left in Ukraine or the rest of the world, the Russian government continues to deny that its Russian Black Sea Fleet commanders — stationed in Crimea to at least 2042 — have issued ultimatums to Ukrainian military to either surrender of face an all-out assault. Kyiv Post journalists on the scene at Sevastopol Bay heard the threats via a loudspeaker from a Russian ship encircling a Ukrainian one. Others on the Crimean peninsula have reported Russian blockades of Ukrainian military installations. Ukrainian officials report the Russian ultimatum to surrender or be attacked. If the threat is not real, it’s certainly an escalation of the Kremlin’s psychological warfare to get Ukraine to surrender its Crimean peninsula or more. — Brian Bonner
Simferopol resident reports ominous developments
March 3, 8:57 p.m. — Olena Bagriantseva, who lives in Crimea’s Simferopol, says
that the Russian navy is continuing to blockade Ukrainian naval ships moored at
Sevastopol Bay, something that Kyiv Post editor Christopher Miller in Crimea has also reported.
Bagriantseva says that local media have confirmed that the Russians have
issued an ultimatum for Ukrainian forces to surrender by 5 a.m. on March 4 or
face attack. Photos can be seen here: http://15minut.org/article/chernomorskij-flot-blokiruet-ukrainskie-korabli-foto-2014-03-03-15-33-26
Moreover, Bagriantseva said that local media report
that Russians are blockading Ukrainian military posts and not allowing
relatives or anyone else bring food to the Ukrainian soldiers.
Bagriantseva also said that the Radio and Television
Broadcasting Center has cut off the only independent TV channel in Crimea that
reaches the entire peninsula. She said that no reasons were given for the
interruption of Chernomorskaya TV and Radio Company. Another independent TV channel
is ATR (the Crimean Tatar channel), which has a smaller reach: http://atr.ua.
She said that groups
of Crimean Tatars are reported to be patrolling the site of the TV channel because
of the threat of attacks.
The Crimean Center for Investigative Journalism was
also occupied by unknown armed men on March 1. Also, she said that the new pro-Kremlin
Crimea government has threatened other mass media that allegedly provide
“false” information. — Brian Bonner
EuroMaidanPR: Russian military movements spotted within 10 kilometers of Ukraine’s northern border
March 3, 8:37 p.m. — According to EuroMaidanPR, the official information service of the revolution that toppled Viktor Yanukovych as Ukraine’s president on Feb. 22, Russian troops movements have been spotted about 10 kilometers from Ukraine’s northern border in Chernihiv Oblast. Officials said tanks were seen. The sightings came a day after interim Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov later informed that a no-fly zone over the country had been initiated for military aircraft.
On March 3, the State Border Service of Ukraine announced that Russian forces were accumulating forces, including artillery and armored carriers, along the country’s eastern borders along the Donbas regions of Luhansk, Donetsk and Kharkiv. Russian border services have also closed the border for Russian citizens traveling into Donetsk, while the governor of neighboring Rostov-on-Don ordered the set up of the refugee camps, according to the EuroMaidanPR’s Facebook page.
In response, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk has said that Russian troops will not be allowed into the eastern regions of Ukraine. “I am convinced that no Russian military contingents will be allowed into (Ukraine’s) eastern regions,” he said. See this link: http://ukrainianpolicy.com/russian-invasion-of-ukraine#mainland — Brian Bonner
Ukrainian Defense Ministry says that Russians have issued ultimatum
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
Deputy Ukrainian Interior Minister Mykola Velykovych issues a warning that Russia is preparing violent provocations to justify using military force.
Crimean government wants to shut off Ukrainian TV channels
March 3, 5:13 p.m. — Representatives of the new Crimean government approached the regional departments of Volia Cable provider in Sevastopol and Simferopol, demanding that the company switch off all Ukrainian TV channels. The company is conducting a meeting to decide on a plan of action and even considering switching off all channels. — Katya Gorchinskaya
Yatseniuk: Ukraine will never surrender Crimea
March 3, 5:11 p.m. Interim Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk defiantly said today that Ukraine will never surrender control of Crimea to Russia or any other outside power.
“No one will ever give Crimea to anybody,” Yatseniuk told a press conference on March 3. “There wasn’t, no, and will not be any reasons for using force against peaceful citizens and bringing of military forces. The price should be paid for such actions. We realize that Russian Federation has its interests but we address to Russia: you have no right to protect your interests by violating ours.” — Oksana Grytsenko and Katya Gorchinskaya
Russian Black Sea Fleet commander issues ultimatum to Ukrainian troops
March 3, 5:03 p.m. — Russian Black Sea Fleet Commander Aleksandr Vitko issued an ultimatum to Ukrainian troops in Crimea on March 3.
“If they do not give up by 5 a.m. tomorrow, there will be a real storm of subdivisions and units of Ukraine’s military forces all over Crimea,” Interfax news agency quoted him as saying.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Navy was given an ultimatum to give up by 7 p.m. on March 3, otherwise they will be attacked.
Pro-Russian civilian self-defense units block roads leading to Ukrainian, Russian military standoff
March 3, 4:59 p.m. — All the roads leading to the location of standoffs between Russian and Ukrainian troops are blocked off by local pro-Kremlin self-defense troops, who are used by Russia as the first line of defense in hese areas.
Sevastopol’s Belbek military airfield is one example. Journalists are not allowed closer than the front line of defense. What they can make out inside the barricades is at least one truck with a Russian number plate and armed men near the truck carrying machine guns. They also have an PRG rocket launcher.
There are checkpoints stationed along roads going to military bases where Russian and Ukrainian soldiers are locked in standoff.
Down at Sevastopol Bay, Russian ships are forming a sort of barricade along the mouth of the bay. At least three Russian ships are blocking the entry, witnesses said, but it’s impossible to get close to get close for journalists because the entrance is guarded by Russian troops. — Christopher J. Miller
Yatseniuk reassures business community today
March 3, 4:43 pm. — Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk on March 3 spoke to possibly 1,000 business leaders today in a packed room of the InterContinental Hotel in Kyiv, trying to offer reassuring words. He repeated his stance on the Russian military intervention in Crimea: it is illegal and violates treaties between Ukraine and Russia. He also repeated his demand that all Russian forces must return to their bases. However, Yatseniuk said that he believes the peak of the crisis has passed and that he spoke to to Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev by telephone on March 2. Medvedev reportedly said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not yet decided about giving the order to send Russian military forces to other ares of Ukraine. Yatseniuk said he is happy with the arrival of a mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and expressed hope because not a single shot has been fired yet in this standoff. The Crimean government that took power is illegal and the Ukrainian government has a plan to return security to the region, Yatseniuk said. — Evan Ostryzhniuk
Tense standoff at loyal Ukrainian base near Sevastopol
March 3, 4:25 p.m. — A Belbek military fighter aviation unit near Sevastopol remains surrounded for the third day by Russian soldiers. Ukrainians were pressured to swear allegiance to Russia or face “the most stringent measures,” according to Vladislav Seleznev, the Defense Ministry Media Center of Ukraine in Crimea.
Roman Beregovy, a Ukrainian 4551 military unit guard, told Ukrainska P ravda that initially the Russian soldiers took the over the house that housed VIP visitors. “The following day they took the space where the planes are parked, after that they occupied the watch,” he said. “They took away the weapons. We did not have the order to go into action. We did not respond to the provocation. We handed (over the) warehouses” to the Russians, Beregovyi said. “As of right now, they occupied almost the entire unit. They only parts remained are an administrative building and a flag. That is what we guard.”
A reliable source with the Belbek military aviation unit said that at about 2:20 p.m. today, a Russian truck with around 30 armed soldiers came to the base, saying that within an hour, the Ukrainian soldiers would be forced to surrender. He also clarified that Russian soldiers demanded that the Ukrainiains give an oath to Crimea, not Russia. There are 300-400 military personnel at this unit, but none has switched sides and are obeying Ukrainian law. There is also a video in YouTube, which shows a Russian Kamaz truck without a license plate number. Their armed soldiers shouted: “We are ready to die today. — Iryna Yeroshko
Russian soldiers in Crimea brag that they are “ready to die today” to take over a Ukrainian military unit near Sevastopol.
Pinchuk explains why he turned down offer to head Zaporyzhia Oblast government
March 3, 3:48 p.m. — Billionaire Victor Pinchuk, explaining why he refused interim President Oleksandr Turchynov’s offer for him to lead the government in Zaporyzhia Oblast, said: “I would be honored to serve Ukraine full time at this critical period. In such times in Ukraine big business can play a role temporarily in government (while in usual times Ukraine’s challenge is to separate business and politics). Becoming governor in a region which have no knowledge of and where people don’t know me would not be useful I believe. But if I can serve Ukraine in a role where I can be effective – maybe facilitating solutions with our international partners – I would be thrilled.”
Pinchuk added: “Now the overwhelming majority of society is united around the idea of the unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine. The differences that may have existed between some parts of society during the revolution times play much less of a role now, it seems to me.”
Odessa Oblast council stormed
March 3, 3:15 p.m. — Some 700 pro-Russian protesters stormed the building of Odessa Oblast council when it was having an emergency session about the situation in the country. Around 11 a.m. a member of pro-Russian organization broke into the council meeting hall and demanded to talk to the council. When he was refused, the crowd tried to get into the building. Tear gas was used. The crowd demanded that Odessa council didn’t keep allegiance to Kyiv.
Around 2 p.m. protesters put a Russian flag on the council building. On their demand, the council asked Kyiv to not dissolve the Berkut rior police squads as it planned to do. Other demands were turned down.
According to local news outlet Dumskaya.net, some 15,000 citizens of Odessa held a rally for Ukraine’s unity on March 2.
Donetsk Oblast Administration seized
March 3, 3 p.m. — Around 20 journalists have been blocked at the fourth floor
of Donetsk oblast administration seized by the pro-Russian protesters. The
journalists stayed in the building since 10 a.m. covering an emergency session of local parliament where businessman Serhiy Taruta
was to be presented as the new governor, when the building was taken over by
nearly 100 protesters, with several hundreds more of them remaining outside.
Oleksiy Matsuka, editor in chief of Novosti Donbassa, a
local news outlet, two reporters of which have been trapped inside the building
reports that the police guarding the administration made a corridor for the protesters
to enter the building. Matsuka reports that the protesters are acting aggressively
and journalists are in danger. Matsuka reports that two local stringers working for L’Agence
France Press, and journalists from Russia’s ITAR TASS agency are also blocked inside
the building. — Vlad Lavrov
No one in charge of Kharkiv Oblast’s government
March 3, 2:54 p.m. It appears that no one is in charge of the Kharkiv Oblast Admininstration. In Kharkiv, government workers say they no longer work with the previous governor, Mikhail Dobkin, who was appointed by ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, and a newcomer has not been appointed yet. There’s a lot of frustration and confusion — Daryna Shevchenko
Ukrainian troops saying loyal, says Crimean observer
March 3, 2:44 p.m. — Andrii Ignatov, who is working with an international TV news station in Crimea, said that he hasn’t “observed any Ukrainian military bases populated by Russan soldiers” in his travels through the peninsula. “The Ukrainian navy
remains loyal to Ukraine except the renegade captain. I was just at one of the
airfields and the Ukrainian military are in charge, so everything is OK.” His report should reassure those who feared more Ukrainian defections than that of xxxx. The Russian military is putting pressure on Ukrainian military and police to “pledge allegiance” to the new pro-Kremlin Crimean prime minister, Serhiy Aksenov, whose legitimacy in coming to power on Feb. 27 is being questioned by Kyiv’s central government. Ignatov said that news media are getting a hostile reception, unless they are identified as being pro-Kremlin.
On March 1, Ukraine’s naval chief commander, Denys Berezovsky, was fired for ordering soldiers to lay down arms to Russians in Crimea, Viktoria Siumar, deputy secretary of Security and Defense Council told a news briefing, adding that Berezovsky is currently being investigated by prosecutors on suspicion of state treason. “Rear Admiral Sergiy Haiduk has been appointed on his place,” Siumar added. — Oksana Grytsenko and Brian Bonner
Updated 6:56 a.m. March 4 Kyiv time
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