The truce between Russian and Ukrainian Defense Ministries expired today, and so did Russia’s promise not to take action against Ukrainian soldiers on Crimean soil, which after the annexation is now officially Russian soil as well.
There was no rush to battle, however, as Ukrainian troops by and large followed orders, packing their bags and withdrawing back into the Ukraine, taking their families with them.
Not everyone is on the way out, however, as many of the troops at Belbek Air Base remain at their posts, carrying visibly unloaded weapons. They claimed radio silence, with no formal orders from Kiev on whether or not to withdraw, and are waiting to be taken over officially by the Russian military so they can leave.
How many troops this pullout will involve is unclear, as military analysts say Ukraine had 8,000 to 10,000 troops in the Crimea, while Ukraine’s Defense Ministry claims over 20,000 deployed there. Of that number, at least some have defected to the Russian side, primarily those who lived in Crimea to begin with, and Russia has been courting such defections with a much higher rate of pay and better benefits than Ukraine’s own military offers.
A smooth transition without a shot being fired, Iraq wasn't so lucky, or for that matter, Afghanistan. With ten and twelve years of war respectively those countries are now unfit for human habitat, created by an "invasive species"……"DEMOCRACY."
Probably right about native Crimeans staying and the rest going back to their homes. Like Russia's, Ukraine's military forces are a conscript-based ramshackle, so most of them will simply leave the armed forces. The fact that Russian generals are touting for recruits suggests that the Russian Army hasn't enough soldiers to garrison Crimea. Sounds ridiculous, but such is the ramshackle state of Russia's military.
No one should pay any mind to the Ukrainian gov't. right now. It is illegitimate.
Soldiers should not fight at it's behest. The majority of Ukrainian people, as well as Russia and her authorities, should not take anything on face value that this so-called "interim" gov't proposes. No agreements it signs or measures it takes should be considered at all legit.
No one should pay any mind to the Ukrainian gov't. right now. It is illegitimate.
Soldiers should not fight at it's behest. The majority of Ukrainian people, as well as Russia and her authorities, should not take anything on face value that this so-called "interim" gov't proposes. No agreements it signs or measures it takes should be considered at all legit.
How many people would cry if and when these "Nationalists" are put out to pasture.
What a joke.