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| Pro-Russian forces break into Ukrainian naval headquarters in Crimea | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| SEVASTOPOL, Crimea — Russian-backed forces began what appeared to be a steady occupation of Ukrainian military facilities in the breakaway Crimean Peninsula on Wednesday, and Ukraine’s security chief said his government was drawing up plans to evacuate its troops from Crimea. | SEVASTOPOL, Crimea — Russian-backed forces began what appeared to be a steady occupation of Ukrainian military facilities in the breakaway Crimean Peninsula on Wednesday, and Ukraine’s security chief said his government was drawing up plans to evacuate its troops from Crimea. |
| Andriy Parubiy, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, also announced that Ukraine would hold joint military exercises with the United States and Britain. He did not immediately provide details. He said the government in Kiev would seek United Nations support for turning the Crimean Peninsula into a demilitarized zone, news agencies reported. | Andriy Parubiy, secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, also announced that Ukraine would hold joint military exercises with the United States and Britain. He did not immediately provide details. He said the government in Kiev would seek United Nations support for turning the Crimean Peninsula into a demilitarized zone, news agencies reported. |
| Parubiy added that Ukraine has decided to leave the Russian-led Commonwealth of Independent States, a loose regional alliance of 11 former Soviet republics that was formed after the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, the Associated Press reported. The move would follow the example of Georgia, which left the grouping after two of its territories broke away with Moscow’s backing in 2008. | |
| Parubiy’s announcement of planning to withdraw Ukrainian troops from Crimea appeared to contradict an earlier statement from acting Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh that the country’s forces would not withdraw from Crimea despite Russia’s takeover of the region, formalized in a treaty signed Tuesday by Russian President Vladimir Putin. | Parubiy’s announcement of planning to withdraw Ukrainian troops from Crimea appeared to contradict an earlier statement from acting Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh that the country’s forces would not withdraw from Crimea despite Russia’s takeover of the region, formalized in a treaty signed Tuesday by Russian President Vladimir Putin. |
| Despite Tenyukh’s vow, Ukrainian service members have been abandoning military facilities in Crimea in the face of demands from Russian troops and pro-Moscow militiamen. | Despite Tenyukh’s vow, Ukrainian service members have been abandoning military facilities in Crimea in the face of demands from Russian troops and pro-Moscow militiamen. |
| Those forces on Wednesday took over Ukraine’s naval headquarters in Crimea and two other facilities and detained Ukraine’s navy commander, according to Defense Ministry and other reports. | Those forces on Wednesday took over Ukraine’s naval headquarters in Crimea and two other facilities and detained Ukraine’s navy commander, according to Defense Ministry and other reports. |
| The storming of the naval base in Sevastopol and the other facilities, and the positioning of forces outside a fourth base, was a tense reminder of how unresolved the situation on the ground remains in Crimea even as Russia declares its absorption of the region an established fact. Ukrainian troops largely gave way without resistance, though tension may be building as they face an apparent choice of becoming Russian soldiers and sailors, or moving from Crimea and maintaining their allegiance to Kiev. | The storming of the naval base in Sevastopol and the other facilities, and the positioning of forces outside a fourth base, was a tense reminder of how unresolved the situation on the ground remains in Crimea even as Russia declares its absorption of the region an established fact. Ukrainian troops largely gave way without resistance, though tension may be building as they face an apparent choice of becoming Russian soldiers and sailors, or moving from Crimea and maintaining their allegiance to Kiev. |
| Ukrainian military spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov said the commander and some other officers and staff were hurt during a scuffle at a military meteorological unit near the town of Yevpatoria, but those were the only reported injuries. He would not specify how many military installations in Crimea remain under Ukrainian control. | Ukrainian military spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov said the commander and some other officers and staff were hurt during a scuffle at a military meteorological unit near the town of Yevpatoria, but those were the only reported injuries. He would not specify how many military installations in Crimea remain under Ukrainian control. |
| At the naval headquarters in Sevastopol, about 200 attackers rammed through the gate of the office complex in a truck and raised the tricolor Russian flag. It was difficult to identify the attackers, but they were well-organized and carried out the takeover without incident. After it was over, men wearing unmarked uniforms and holding automatic weapons were guarding the gate. | At the naval headquarters in Sevastopol, about 200 attackers rammed through the gate of the office complex in a truck and raised the tricolor Russian flag. It was difficult to identify the attackers, but they were well-organized and carried out the takeover without incident. After it was over, men wearing unmarked uniforms and holding automatic weapons were guarding the gate. |
| The commander of the Ukrainian navy, Adm. Serhiy Haiduk, was detained for questioning, according to the local prosecutor’s office. In another sign of shifting control, Tenyukh, the Ukrainian defense minister, was refused entry to Crimea when he tried to visit the region Wednesday. | The commander of the Ukrainian navy, Adm. Serhiy Haiduk, was detained for questioning, according to the local prosecutor’s office. In another sign of shifting control, Tenyukh, the Ukrainian defense minister, was refused entry to Crimea when he tried to visit the region Wednesday. |
| Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov on Wednesday evening gave Crimean authorities three hours — until 3 p.m. Eastern time — to release Haiduk and stop harassing the Ukrainian military. | Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov on Wednesday evening gave Crimean authorities three hours — until 3 p.m. Eastern time — to release Haiduk and stop harassing the Ukrainian military. |
| If the admiral is not released, he said in a statement on his Web site, Ukraine will take “appropriate measures.” | If the admiral is not released, he said in a statement on his Web site, Ukraine will take “appropriate measures.” |
| Referring to the reports of attacks on Ukrainian military personnel in Crimea, Vice President Biden warned Wednesday: “As long as Russia continues on this dark path, they will face increasing political and economic isolation.” | |
| Speaking in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, Biden said the United States would respond to any Russian aggression against its NATO allies. Standing with the presidents of Lithuania and Latvia, Biden said President Obama plans to seek commitments from allies to ensure that NATO can safeguard its collective security. | |
| In Moscow, Russian authorities began issuing passports to residents of Crimea on Wednesday, said Konstantin Romodanovsky, head of the Federal Migration Service in Russia. He said Crimeans had become Russian citizens Tuesday. | In Moscow, Russian authorities began issuing passports to residents of Crimea on Wednesday, said Konstantin Romodanovsky, head of the Federal Migration Service in Russia. He said Crimeans had become Russian citizens Tuesday. |
| The Russian government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, meanwhile, began publishing in Crimea with an initial print run of 5,000 copies. | The Russian government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, meanwhile, began publishing in Crimea with an initial print run of 5,000 copies. |
| For its part, the Ukrainian government in Kiev approved a plan on procedures to evacuate Crimeans who want to move to the mainland. | For its part, the Ukrainian government in Kiev approved a plan on procedures to evacuate Crimeans who want to move to the mainland. |
| Ukraine, unwilling to fire shots that would provoke an even greater show of Russian force, has been left scrambling for a response. The Ukrainian military, with about 130,000 troops, few of them considered combat-ready, is far smaller than Russia’s 845,000-member armed forces. | Ukraine, unwilling to fire shots that would provoke an even greater show of Russian force, has been left scrambling for a response. The Ukrainian military, with about 130,000 troops, few of them considered combat-ready, is far smaller than Russia’s 845,000-member armed forces. |
| Military analysts say Ukraine has enough tanks to inflict some damage but not to overpower Russia. Last week, Ukrainian officials issued a call for volunteers to join a national guard, an attempt to harness the fighting spirit that emerged among demonstrators in Kiev who forced the ouster of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych last month. | Military analysts say Ukraine has enough tanks to inflict some damage but not to overpower Russia. Last week, Ukrainian officials issued a call for volunteers to join a national guard, an attempt to harness the fighting spirit that emerged among demonstrators in Kiev who forced the ouster of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych last month. |
| But that national guard force — expected to number about 40,000 eventually — would operate under the Interior Ministry, helping to keep order and protect power plants and other important facilities. | But that national guard force — expected to number about 40,000 eventually — would operate under the Interior Ministry, helping to keep order and protect power plants and other important facilities. |
| In Kiev on Wednesday, Ukrainians were discussing ways to get more help from Kiev’s friends in the West. There was little bravado about taking on Russia by themselves. | In Kiev on Wednesday, Ukrainians were discussing ways to get more help from Kiev’s friends in the West. There was little bravado about taking on Russia by themselves. |
| “It’s not just Ukraine’s drama,” said Yuriy Shcherbak, a former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States. “It’s a world drama.” | “It’s not just Ukraine’s drama,” said Yuriy Shcherbak, a former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States. “It’s a world drama.” |
| Vasyl Filipchuk, a former Ukrainian diplomat who is now a political analyst, said the United Nations should suspend Russia from membership in the Security Council to demonstrate that the world is serious about punishing it for annexing Crimea. | Vasyl Filipchuk, a former Ukrainian diplomat who is now a political analyst, said the United Nations should suspend Russia from membership in the Security Council to demonstrate that the world is serious about punishing it for annexing Crimea. |
| “Russia thinks Ukraine is weak,” Filipchuk said. “Russia thinks the world is weak and frightened.” | “Russia thinks Ukraine is weak,” Filipchuk said. “Russia thinks the world is weak and frightened.” |
| Neither Europe nor the United States has produced the kind of sanctions that would give Russia serious pause about widening its incursion into Ukraine, he said. The U.S. sanctions, he said, would do little more than keep a few of Putin’s friends from going to Miami Beach. | Neither Europe nor the United States has produced the kind of sanctions that would give Russia serious pause about widening its incursion into Ukraine, he said. The U.S. sanctions, he said, would do little more than keep a few of Putin’s friends from going to Miami Beach. |
| Ukraine hopes to sign a partnership agreement Friday with the European Union — the very agreement that Yanukovych refused to sign, setting off the protests that eventually toppled him. | Ukraine hopes to sign a partnership agreement Friday with the European Union — the very agreement that Yanukovych refused to sign, setting off the protests that eventually toppled him. |
| “We need to work with our partners to develop sanctions,” said Olesksandr Sushko, a director of the Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation in Kiev, suggesting that Russian property abroad could be made subject to seizure. | “We need to work with our partners to develop sanctions,” said Olesksandr Sushko, a director of the Institute for Euro-Atlantic Cooperation in Kiev, suggesting that Russian property abroad could be made subject to seizure. |
| Shcherbak said Ukraine finds itself at a vulnerable moment, with the old government destroyed and a new one still getting its bearings. It needs help to maintain its security, which is just as important to Ukraine as it is to the West. Kiev, he said, should appeal to the United States and the West for military training and equipment. | Shcherbak said Ukraine finds itself at a vulnerable moment, with the old government destroyed and a new one still getting its bearings. It needs help to maintain its security, which is just as important to Ukraine as it is to the West. Kiev, he said, should appeal to the United States and the West for military training and equipment. |
| “It would be a very dark period for us if we stand up against the Russian military without support,” he said. | “It would be a very dark period for us if we stand up against the Russian military without support,” he said. |
| Despite the insistence of top Ukrainian officials that the military would stand its ground in Crimea, troops at the Sevastopol naval office were seen leaving in civilian clothes, checked out at the gate by the forces in control of the now-Russian-flagged building. Igor Yeskin, who identified himself as a member of the local self-defense militia that organized the raid, pledged that raids on other facilities would continue because “today the Ukrainian military is on the territory of the Russian Federation.” | Despite the insistence of top Ukrainian officials that the military would stand its ground in Crimea, troops at the Sevastopol naval office were seen leaving in civilian clothes, checked out at the gate by the forces in control of the now-Russian-flagged building. Igor Yeskin, who identified himself as a member of the local self-defense militia that organized the raid, pledged that raids on other facilities would continue because “today the Ukrainian military is on the territory of the Russian Federation.” |
| A base near Novozernoye also was stormed Wednesday, but the attack was halted, Ukrainian officials said. Russian authorities were at the base negotiating its handover, said Seleznyov. | A base near Novozernoye also was stormed Wednesday, but the attack was halted, Ukrainian officials said. Russian authorities were at the base negotiating its handover, said Seleznyov. |
| Vice President Biden warned that Russia had taken a “dark path” that would leave it isolated. Nevertheless, Russian officials hurried to complete the formalities of the Crimean annexation. The chairman of Russia’s Constitutional Court told reporters in St. Petersburg on Wednesday that, as the morning’s first order of business, the court had ruled the acquisition of Crimea constitutional. | Vice President Biden warned that Russia had taken a “dark path” that would leave it isolated. Nevertheless, Russian officials hurried to complete the formalities of the Crimean annexation. The chairman of Russia’s Constitutional Court told reporters in St. Petersburg on Wednesday that, as the morning’s first order of business, the court had ruled the acquisition of Crimea constitutional. |
| Sergei Naryshkin, speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, said in Moscow that legislation ratifying the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol could be submitted Wednesday and perhaps given a final vote Thursday. | Sergei Naryshkin, speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament, said in Moscow that legislation ratifying the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol could be submitted Wednesday and perhaps given a final vote Thursday. |
| “I would like to assure everyone that State Duma deputies will adopt these two historical legal acts within the shortest period of time,” Naryshkin said. “And we will do everything to support the Crimean people in these hard times, especially in the transitional period.” | “I would like to assure everyone that State Duma deputies will adopt these two historical legal acts within the shortest period of time,” Naryshkin said. “And we will do everything to support the Crimean people in these hard times, especially in the transitional period.” |
| He described the annexation in grand terms, calling it a new stage in world history and making an oblique reference to Russia’s staring down malevolent forces unleashed by the West. “This is a turning point in the confrontation between good and evil,” he said. | He described the annexation in grand terms, calling it a new stage in world history and making an oblique reference to Russia’s staring down malevolent forces unleashed by the West. “This is a turning point in the confrontation between good and evil,” he said. |
| The turnover of control at military facilities on Wednesday came in addition to the takeovers of bases by Russian or Russian-backed forces in recent weeks, including the airstrip at Ukraine’s Belbek air base. | The turnover of control at military facilities on Wednesday came in addition to the takeovers of bases by Russian or Russian-backed forces in recent weeks, including the airstrip at Ukraine’s Belbek air base. |
| A communications specialist in the Ukrainian navy who was outside the naval base when the assault began said a truck rammed the gate and about 200 men with AK-47 rifles stormed the facility, a collection of office buildings in the center of Sevastopol. The man, who would give his name only as Sergei, said the attackers appeared to be “Crimean self-defense.” But he said that from their accents he surmised they were Russian. | A communications specialist in the Ukrainian navy who was outside the naval base when the assault began said a truck rammed the gate and about 200 men with AK-47 rifles stormed the facility, a collection of office buildings in the center of Sevastopol. The man, who would give his name only as Sergei, said the attackers appeared to be “Crimean self-defense.” But he said that from their accents he surmised they were Russian. |
| The Ukrainians inside initially tried to barricade themselves but could not hold out, he said. | The Ukrainians inside initially tried to barricade themselves but could not hold out, he said. |
| The commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Vice Adm. Alexander Vitko, arrived at the base after the incursion to negotiate with Haiduk, the Ukrainian commander, Russia’s Interfax news agency reported. | The commander of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, Vice Adm. Alexander Vitko, arrived at the base after the incursion to negotiate with Haiduk, the Ukrainian commander, Russia’s Interfax news agency reported. |
| In Kiev, Tenyukh said Ukraine had no intention of withdrawing its military from Crimea. Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that Sunday’s referendum in Crimea, in which voters chose to join Russia, was illegal. Ukraine, they said, would never recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea. | In Kiev, Tenyukh said Ukraine had no intention of withdrawing its military from Crimea. Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that Sunday’s referendum in Crimea, in which voters chose to join Russia, was illegal. Ukraine, they said, would never recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea. |
| But on Wednesday morning, the forces that stormed the Sevastopol base took down the Ukrainian flag and raised Russian standards. And on Tuesday in Sevastopol, the most Russian city in Crimea, thousands danced and sang as a treaty was signed making Crimea part of Russia. | But on Wednesday morning, the forces that stormed the Sevastopol base took down the Ukrainian flag and raised Russian standards. And on Tuesday in Sevastopol, the most Russian city in Crimea, thousands danced and sang as a treaty was signed making Crimea part of Russia. |
| But in a Muslim cemetery on Tuesday outside Simferopol, Crimea’s capital, hundreds attended the funeral of a Tatar last seen being taken away by men in military jackets after a protest. | But in a Muslim cemetery on Tuesday outside Simferopol, Crimea’s capital, hundreds attended the funeral of a Tatar last seen being taken away by men in military jackets after a protest. |
| The gleeful celebration by Crimea’s ethnic Russian majority, whose members think a historic wrong is being righted, and the grim ritual of mourning by members of a minority who are anxious about what comes next, neatly summed up reactions to the new pact annexing Crimea to the Russian Federation. | The gleeful celebration by Crimea’s ethnic Russian majority, whose members think a historic wrong is being righted, and the grim ritual of mourning by members of a minority who are anxious about what comes next, neatly summed up reactions to the new pact annexing Crimea to the Russian Federation. |
| Many details must be ironed out before the annexation becomes official, but the transformation appears likely to happen quickly. Ukrainian citizens in Crimea are being given a month to decide whether they want to become citizens of Russia or stay with Ukraine. | Many details must be ironed out before the annexation becomes official, but the transformation appears likely to happen quickly. Ukrainian citizens in Crimea are being given a month to decide whether they want to become citizens of Russia or stay with Ukraine. |
| Lally reported from Kiev. Pam Constable contributed to this report. | Lally reported from Kiev. Pam Constable contributed to this report. |