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| Pro-Russian forces break into Ukrainian naval base in Crimea | Pro-Russian forces break into Ukrainian naval base in Crimea |
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| KIEV, Ukraine — Russian-backed forces broke into the Ukrainian naval headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, on Wednesday and raised the Russian flag, a reminder of the potential for dangerous confrontation a day after Moscow declared the Crimean Peninsula part of Russia. | KIEV, Ukraine — Russian-backed forces broke into the Ukrainian naval headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, on Wednesday and raised the Russian flag, a reminder of the potential for dangerous confrontation a day after Moscow declared the Crimean Peninsula part of Russia. |
| Apparently no shots were fired and it was difficult to identify the attackers, who one witness said numbered about 200 and rammed through the gate of the office complex in a truck. The individuals who stormed the base, however, were well-organized and carried off the takeover without incident. After it was over, soldiers wearing unmarked uniforms and holding automatic weapons were guarding the gate. | Apparently no shots were fired and it was difficult to identify the attackers, who one witness said numbered about 200 and rammed through the gate of the office complex in a truck. The individuals who stormed the base, however, were well-organized and carried off the takeover without incident. After it was over, soldiers wearing unmarked uniforms and holding automatic weapons were guarding the gate. |
| Ukrainian Naval Forces Commander Serhiy Haiduk was detained for questioning, according to the local prosecutor’s office. In another sign of shifting control, Ukrainian Defense Minister Ihor Tenyukh was refused entry to Crimea when he tried to visit the region on Wednesday. | |
| Despite the insistence of top Ukrainian officials that the military would stand its ground in Crimea, troops at the Sevastopol naval office later 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 later 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 second Ukrainian base in Crimea, near Novozernoye, also was stormed Wednesday, but the attack was halted, Ukrainian officials said. Russian authorities were at the base negotiating its handover, said Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military in Crimea. | A second Ukrainian base in Crimea, near Novozernoye, also was stormed Wednesday, but the attack was halted, Ukrainian officials said. Russian authorities were at the base negotiating its handover, said Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military in Crimea. |
| As Vice President Biden warned Russia had taken a “dark path” that would leave it isolated, 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. | As Vice President Biden warned Russia had taken a “dark path” that would leave it isolated, 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 agreements with 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 agreements with 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 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 staring down malevolent forces unleashed by the West. “This is a turning point in the confrontation between good and evil,” he said. |
| The storming of the naval base in Sevastopol 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. A “truce” between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the area is technically in place until Friday. | The storming of the naval base in Sevastopol 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. A “truce” between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the area is technically in place until Friday. |
| But tension may already be building as the Ukrainian troops face the apparent choice of becoming Russian soldiers and sailors, or moving from Crimea and maintaining their allegiance to Kiev. | But tension may already be building as the Ukrainian troops face the apparent choice of becoming Russian soldiers and sailors, or moving from Crimea and maintaining their allegiance to Kiev. |
| A communications specialist in the Ukrainian navy who was outside the 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 only give his name 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 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 only give his name 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 declared independence, 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 declared independence, was illegal. Ukraine, they said, would never recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea. |
| But on Wednesday morning the forces that stormed the Sevastopol base had taken 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 wedding Crimea to Russia. | But on Wednesday morning the forces that stormed the Sevastopol base had taken 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 wedding Crimea to 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 the 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 the 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 will happen quickly. In Moscow, lawmakers in the Duma said they could vote on the annexation this week. 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 will happen quickly. In Moscow, lawmakers in the Duma said they could vote on the annexation this week. Ukrainian citizens in Crimea are being given a month to decide whether they want to become citizens of Russia or stay with Ukraine. |
| But even as Crimeans and Russians were feeling triumphant, shots were fired at a Ukrainian military base near Simferopol, underscoring the volatility of the situation. | But even as Crimeans and Russians were feeling triumphant, shots were fired at a Ukrainian military base near Simferopol, underscoring the volatility of the situation. |
| A Ukrainian soldier was killed and an officer was wounded Tuesday when assailants wearing no identifying insignia “stormed” the base, said Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military stationed in Crimea and effectively surrounded by Russian troops and pro-Russian militias. It is unclear whether the two victims were struck by stray bullets or were targeted. | A Ukrainian soldier was killed and an officer was wounded Tuesday when assailants wearing no identifying insignia “stormed” the base, said Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military stationed in Crimea and effectively surrounded by Russian troops and pro-Russian militias. It is unclear whether the two victims were struck by stray bullets or were targeted. |
| In a statement, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said the assailants wore “military uniforms of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.” Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said the conflict with Russia had moved from a “political to a military phase,” and the Defense Ministry said it had authorized its soldiers to respond with live fire in self-defense. But that contradicted reports from journalists on the scene, who said the assailants appeared to have been pro-Russian “self-defense” units that often work closely with Russian troops. | In a statement, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said the assailants wore “military uniforms of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.” Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said the conflict with Russia had moved from a “political to a military phase,” and the Defense Ministry said it had authorized its soldiers to respond with live fire in self-defense. But that contradicted reports from journalists on the scene, who said the assailants appeared to have been pro-Russian “self-defense” units that often work closely with Russian troops. |
| The incident did not stop revelers who drove around Sevastopol on Tuesday night, honking their horns in jubilation on a day many regarded as a homecoming. | The incident did not stop revelers who drove around Sevastopol on Tuesday night, honking their horns in jubilation on a day many regarded as a homecoming. |
| In the central square of a city that has been home to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet for more than two centuries, several thousand people on Tuesday watched a live broadcast of Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing legislators. They applauded loudly and often — particularly when he called Crimea inseparable from Russia and said its loss in 1954 was an “outrageous historical injustice.” | In the central square of a city that has been home to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet for more than two centuries, several thousand people on Tuesday watched a live broadcast of Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing legislators. They applauded loudly and often — particularly when he called Crimea inseparable from Russia and said its loss in 1954 was an “outrageous historical injustice.” |
| “We did it. We did it! We truly did it!” exclaimed Svetlana Kalinina, 53, tears rolling down her cheeks below her sunglasses. | “We did it. We did it! We truly did it!” exclaimed Svetlana Kalinina, 53, tears rolling down her cheeks below her sunglasses. |
| Another woman, who gave her name as Natasha, kept repeating, “Thank you, Putin.” | Another woman, who gave her name as Natasha, kept repeating, “Thank you, Putin.” |
| “I have waited so long for this,” she said. “We were given away, like a sack of potatoes. And finally, we are coming back home.” | “I have waited so long for this,” she said. “We were given away, like a sack of potatoes. And finally, we are coming back home.” |
| In Simferopol, reaction to Putin’s speech was more muted. | In Simferopol, reaction to Putin’s speech was more muted. |
| A furniture maker named Vladimir, 34, said that his business had plummeted during the recent weeks of frenzied campaigning but that he was “ready to starve for another year, as long as we will be with Russia and have peace instead of swastikas and disorder.” | A furniture maker named Vladimir, 34, said that his business had plummeted during the recent weeks of frenzied campaigning but that he was “ready to starve for another year, as long as we will be with Russia and have peace instead of swastikas and disorder.” |
| But a man watching the speech in a cafe shook his head and frowned. “Putin’s words are eloquent, but I am not sure if this was legally correct or if Russia will follow through on its promises,” said the lawyer, 35, who gave his name as Alexander. | But a man watching the speech in a cafe shook his head and frowned. “Putin’s words are eloquent, but I am not sure if this was legally correct or if Russia will follow through on its promises,” said the lawyer, 35, who gave his name as Alexander. |
| In his speech, Putin said no member of Crimea’s Tatar Muslim minority had been harmed in the reunification process and pledged that Tatars would be granted “full rights and political rehabilitation.” | In his speech, Putin said no member of Crimea’s Tatar Muslim minority had been harmed in the reunification process and pledged that Tatars would be granted “full rights and political rehabilitation.” |
| Less than an hour later, mourners gathered for the funeral of Reshat Ametov, 39. The construction worker and Tatar activist had been missing since a March 3 protest. Relatives and other activists said Ametov was last seen being led away by three unidentified security men during a demonstration against annexation to Russia. His body was found Sunday in a forest about 25 miles away, reportedly unclothed and showing signs of violence, with his head and hands taped. | Less than an hour later, mourners gathered for the funeral of Reshat Ametov, 39. The construction worker and Tatar activist had been missing since a March 3 protest. Relatives and other activists said Ametov was last seen being led away by three unidentified security men during a demonstration against annexation to Russia. His body was found Sunday in a forest about 25 miles away, reportedly unclothed and showing signs of violence, with his head and hands taped. |
| Tatar leaders said police had been unhelpful after the family reported Ametov missing. They described Ametov as a father of three who challenged local cases of corruption and abuse and raised Tatar issues on his Facebook page. They said they feared that his detention and killing were part of a new crackdown on Crimean Tatars, who strongly oppose becoming part of Russia. | Tatar leaders said police had been unhelpful after the family reported Ametov missing. They described Ametov as a father of three who challenged local cases of corruption and abuse and raised Tatar issues on his Facebook page. They said they feared that his detention and killing were part of a new crackdown on Crimean Tatars, who strongly oppose becoming part of Russia. |
| “He fought for the truth, just like his grandfather fought for our freedom in the World War,” said a weeping woman at the funeral, who said she was an aunt of Ametov’s. “He deserved a medal of honor, not to be killed at the hands of scoundrels.” | “He fought for the truth, just like his grandfather fought for our freedom in the World War,” said a weeping woman at the funeral, who said she was an aunt of Ametov’s. “He deserved a medal of honor, not to be killed at the hands of scoundrels.” |
| New York-based Human Rights Watch issued a detailed statement on the case Tuesday and called for a thorough investigation. The group said Ametov’s disappearance and killing illustrated a pervasive “climate of lawlessness” in Crimea. It urged authorities to disarm and disband “self-defense” groups that have proliferated recently. | New York-based Human Rights Watch issued a detailed statement on the case Tuesday and called for a thorough investigation. The group said Ametov’s disappearance and killing illustrated a pervasive “climate of lawlessness” in Crimea. It urged authorities to disarm and disband “self-defense” groups that have proliferated recently. |
| Morello reported from Sevastopol. Pam Constable contributed to this story. | Morello reported from Sevastopol. Pam Constable contributed to this story. |