Dear friends!

Russia has carried out an act of aggression towards Ukraine. Russian troops have entered Crimea. Thus we take it upon ourselves to inform you about the events in Ukraine. We will provide you with yet another viewpoint regarding this conflict. We will do our best to remain fair and objective.

March 19 – Ukraine’s Prime-Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk has ordered that First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaliy Yarema and acting Minister of Defense Ihor Tenyukh visit Crimea to avert further conflict escalation. They were prevented from entering territory of Crimea.

March 19 – Russian troops under “Crimean self-defense” disguise has occupied the Headquarters of Ukrainian Naval Forces of Ukraine. Main Intelligence Directorate of Russia’s Armed Forces has arrested Serhiy Hayduk, a rear admiral and commander of Ukrainian Naval Forces and took him to unknown location.

March 19 – Garrisons of Ukrainian Armed Forces in Crimea have been equipped with firearms – some of them are resisting and using firearms when attacked by Russian servicemen. Corvette “Ternopil”, which is located in the Bay of Sevastopol, is prepared for an attack.

March 19 – The European Commission has proposed allocating a further EUR 1 billion in assistance to Ukraine.

March 19 – Ukraine has declined chairmanship in the Commonwealth of Independent States (union of some states, which were part of former USSR). Ukraine has started exiting procedures from the CIS. National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine has entrusted the government of Ukraine to address the UN on recognizing Crimea as a demilitarized zone.

March 19 – Vladimir Komoyedov, chair of Russian State Duma Committee on Defense stated that up to 20 warships and auxiliary vessels of the Ukrainian Naval Forces should become part of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine has entrusted the Ministry of Internal Affairs to strengthen the guard at nuclear sites within Ukraine. Ukraine will address the states, which provided her with security assurances (the USA, United Kingdom), with a request to hold joint military training.

March 19 – Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a plan on the evacuation of Ukrainians from Crimea.

March 19 – EU Ambassador Jan Tombinski has said that Crimea under the self-proclaimed authorities can become one some of the world's most dangerous regions.

March 19 – Russian Federation has started to issue Russian passports in Crimea. According to the unlawful decision by the Russian Federation, all Ukrainian citizens who live in Crimea must declare their desire to remain Ukrainian citizens (at the institution yet unknown). Otherwise they automatically become Russian citizens regardless of their wishes. Ukraine considers all Crimean residents to be citizens of Ukraine.

March 19 – Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been entrusted with introducing a visa regime with Russian Federation.

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