(Europa) Streitkräfte der russischen Föderation

[Erich]

Fortsetzung:

03 March

UKRAINE (RUSSIAN BLACK SEA FLEET – BSF) (#Ukraine)
(Beware: Many reports are biased, some even deliberate disinformation)
• Of note: Russian soldiers operating outside BSF installations still do not seem to wear any insignia which in case of fighting would make them “non-combatants”, not protected by the Geneva Convention.
• Russian forces reported in “full operational control of Crimea” … some ten Ukrainian military bases as well as border crossings on Crimea blocked by Russian forces or pro-Russian militia … according to Ukrainian officials, Russia has deployed 16,000 soldiers in Crimea, in addition to the 25,000 personnel allowed under the BSF agreement.
• Thus far there have been no credible reports whatsoever that Russian nationals on Crimea have actually been threatened or attacked (rmks: the pretext for Russian action); moreover, aggressive moves only by pro-Russian groups. At the UNSC Russia justifies action with a written request from ousted President Yanukovich.
(rmks: making it clear that this is a full scale intervention and not mere protecting of BSF facilities or Russian nationals; interestingly, this does not correspond with the mandate Putin got from the Duma)
...

• Pro-Russian militia took over a ferry terminal at Kerch, on the easternmost tip of Crimea close to Russia … exacerbating fears that Moscow is planning to bring even more troops to Crimea … earlier reports spoke of Russian armoured forces “massing” on the Russian side of the Kerch Strait.
• Pro-Russian vigilantes backed by masked gunmen (Russian soldiers) besiege Ukrainian navy headquarters in Sevastopol … threaten to cut off electricity and water if building is not surrendered.
• Russian BSF ships reported “blocking” Ukrainian command ship SLAVUTICH and corvette TERNOPIL in a Sevastopol bay, demanding crews so surrender.
(rmks: there is an increasing number of reports claiming Russian forces openly demand that Ukrainian officers and soldiers in the Crimea take a military oath to Russia).
• Russia reportedly has given Ukrainian forces an ultimatum to surrender by 04 Mar or face “full scale assault” … Ukrainian navy officer confirms such an ultimatum issued for the Ukrainian navy headquarters, two naval bases in the region and ships patrolling the bays of Kurinaya and Streletskaya … could not say whether ultimatum issued beyond navy.
• Crimean region “Prime Minister” Sergey Aksyonov announces the creation of “Crimean Navy”, commanded by RAdm Berezovsky (who had switched sides).
• The USA has suspended trade talks and all military cooperation with Russia … examining a series of economic and diplomatic steps to "isolate Russia”.
• Planning conferences (scheduled in April) for multinational (with planned Russian navy participation) naval exercises “Northern Eagle” (Norway, Russia, USA) and “FRUKUS” (France, Russia, UK, USA) cancelled.
(rmks: expect also spring-activation of multinational Black Sea Force – scheduled from 28 Mar – 15 Apr – to be cancelled)


04 March

RUSSIA
Novosti: President Putin has formally “ended” MD West/Central snap exercises and ordered participating units to return to home bases/garrisons.

UKRAINE (RUSSIAN BLACK SEA FLEET – BSF) (#Ukraine)
Russian Black Sea Fleet landing ships SARATOV and YAMAL pass the Turkish Straits, returning from Mediterranean (MedSqn) to the Black Sea … … unclear whether headed for Sevastopol or Novorossiysk.
(rmks: augment amphibious lift capacity in the Black Sea)