The Crimea, an integral part of Ukraine, is being occupied by foreign troops. The threat of Russia’s invasion in mainland Ukraine is growing.

On March 26, 2014, the developments were characterized by the following:

Assaults and blockade of Ukrainian military bases on the peninsula, extension of Russia’s military presence on the borders with Ukraine

• On lake Donuzlav, Ukrainian trawler “Cherkassy” was seized by Russian special forces
• 51 of Ukrainian military ships in Crimea are forcefully seized by Russian military, whereas 10 of them remain under control of Ukraine’s Black Sea Fleet
• Displacement of 4 Russian military ships was observed in the aquatorium of Black and Azov Seas near Ukrainian shores
• Regrouping and strengthening of Russian military block posts was observed on Crimea’s border with mainland Ukraine
• Intensification of activities and enhancement of military equipment on the other side of the Ukraine-Russia border near Chernihiv, Kharkiv and other Ukrainian provinces
• At least 40 occurrences of Russia using unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in Ukrainian airspace for reconnaissance purposes

Political escalation on behalf of Russia, illegal separatist activities of self-proclaimed “puppet” government of Crimea

• “Puppet” government has taken a decision to appropriate Crimean ports and Kerch ferry crossing
• Pseudo-parliament of Crimea has compiled a blacklist of media that will not be allowed to attend its sessions
• More than fifty FSB agents of are dispersed in Crimea in order to recruit local population into Russian security services
• At least 5,000 people have left Crimea to seek refuge in mainland Ukraine after Russian invasion
• Russian newly-adopted legislation that foresees criminal charges for questioning legality of annexation of Crimea has entered into force

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