Ukrainian’s military troops in Crimea may be leaving the region, a high ranking official said on Thursday. This includes some 25,000 service personnel and their families. However, no immediate time frame was announced as to when the troops would be relocated. This apparent decision comes a day after Russia announced the country is formally taking over the peninsula.
“We are developing a plan that would enable us not only to withdraw servicemen but also members of their families in Crimea, so that they could be quickly and efficiently moved to mainland Ukraine,” Andriy Parubiy, Ukraine’s head of the national security and defense council, told reporters in Kiev on Thursday.
Later the same day, Oleksandr Turchynov, Ukraine’s current acting president said that Rear Adm. Sergei Haiduk, the country’s navy commander, along with some civilians have been released, after being detained at the navy’s headquarters. No further details have been revealed.
On Wednesday evening, Turchynov asked earlier Russian and Crimean authorities to free Haiduk within three hours. Otherwise, they may face “adequate responses.” The Ukrainian leader issued a deadline to Crimea, stating that all hostages should be released by 9 p.m. (3 p.m. EDT). The deadline has already passed, but no consequences have been reported as of this writing. However, the White House warned Russia that the situation is “dangerous.”
Earlier this week, Crimean leaders signed an agreement with Moscow on annexation the disputed peninsula to Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that military troops have taken control over the Ukrainian naval base in Sevastopol and that the prisoners were freed. On Wednesday, Russian forces have reportedly took over a naval base in Bakhchisaray.
As part of resolving the crisis, UN chief Ban Ki-moon is set to have a meeting with the Russian president in Moscow this Thursday. On Friday, he will talk with the interim leaders of Ukraine in Kiev to encourage them to provide a nonviolent resolution.
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