10:34
8.3.2014
The @PowerVertical podcast is out. @MarkGaleotti @llywelyn The Crimean Game Changer http://t.co/iMSu5Awvnz
— Brian Whitmore (@PowerVertical) March 7, 2014
10:16
8.3.2014
RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service reports that pro-Russian forces have raided a border checkpoint near Kerch and driven out Ukrainian border guards, also seizing the facility's weapons.
Російські військові захопили в Криму відділ «Щолкіно» і вигнали сім’ї прикордонників на вулицю http://t.co/wxmso7q5dA
— Радіо Свобода (@radiosvoboda) March 8, 2014
22:13
7.3.2014
Strong piece by Jonathan Freedland in "The Guardian" on how it is possible to condemn Putin's invasion, while being concerned about Kyiv's new ruling forces.
"Yet it should be possible to face the truth of both these situations, to condemn Putin's de facto dictatorship in Moscow and to be appalled by the presence of fascists in a 21st-century European government in Kiev."
22:07
7.3.2014
According to the "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent in Crimea, it appears to all be over.
En route to reportedly stormed Ukrainian base at Yukharina Balka. Insane fog, visibility down to five metres. And it's dark.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) March 7, 2014
It's all over. Two Russian Volga trucks drove off after "talks". Ukrainian officer says about 30 to 40 Rus troops involved
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) March 7, 2014
Sorry edit that, 30 to 60 Russians.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) March 7, 2014
21:58
7.3.2014
More details on the raid on the Ukrainian military post in Crimea.
The Ukrainian soldiers at the base -- believed to number about 100 -- have barricaded themselves inside one of their barracks.
Interfax quoted the Ukraine Defense Ministry as saying the attackers -- reported to number about 20 --had entered the base after a Russian military truck broke down the gates and entered the base.
Interfax quoted the Ukraine Defense Ministry as saying the attackers -- reported to number about 20 --had entered the base after a Russian military truck broke down the gates and entered the base.
21:51
7.3.2014
BREAKING: Western news agencies are reporting armed men, thought to be pro-Russian militia, have entered a Ukrainian military post in Crimea.
Details are still sketchy, but Ukrainian defense officials say members of the militia are now in talks with Ukrainian commanders at the missile defense base near Sevastopol. No violence has been reported.
Details are still sketchy, but Ukrainian defense officials say members of the militia are now in talks with Ukrainian commanders at the missile defense base near Sevastopol. No violence has been reported.
21:21
7.3.2014
Hearing that a couple of journalists have been quite badly beaten up by the self defence units near the Sevastopol base being stormed. Grim.
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) March 7, 2014
21:08
7.3.2014
20:48
7.3.2014
More preparation for annexation? From Interfax and ITAR-TASS:
Authorities in Crimea have stopped the broadcasting of two more Ukrainian national TV channels and replaced them with broadcasts from Russian channels.
According to reports Friday five Ukrainian TV channels and one Crimean TV channel have now been taken off the air in the Crimean Peninsula and replaced with Russian channels.
In Kyiv, authorities have requested television and radio broadcasting authorities to "temporarily" suspend retranslation of Russian channels "Vesti," "Rossiya 24," "ORT," and "RTR Planeta."
These moves come amid tensions between Kyiv and Moscow over the presence of pro-Russian forces in Crimea and attempts by Crimean officials to hold a referendum on joining Russia.
According to reports Friday five Ukrainian TV channels and one Crimean TV channel have now been taken off the air in the Crimean Peninsula and replaced with Russian channels.
In Kyiv, authorities have requested television and radio broadcasting authorities to "temporarily" suspend retranslation of Russian channels "Vesti," "Rossiya 24," "ORT," and "RTR Planeta."
These moves come amid tensions between Kyiv and Moscow over the presence of pro-Russian forces in Crimea and attempts by Crimean officials to hold a referendum on joining Russia.
20:39
7.3.2014
Another interesting piece on the role of the far-right in the Maidan protests:
The new deputy prime minister, Oleksandr Sych, is from Svoboda; National Security Secretary Andriy Parubiy is a co-founder of the neo-Nazi Social-National Party, Svoboda's earlier incarnation; the deputy secretary for National Security is Dmytro Yarosh, the head of Right Sector. Chief prosecutor Oleh Makhnitsky is another Svoboda member, as are the ministers for Agriculture and Ecology (Channel 4, 3/5/14). In short, if the prospect of fascists taking power again in Europe worries you, you should be very worried about Ukraine.