06:53
24.3.2014
This latest update from our newsdesk highlights how Russia's annexation of Crimea could cause a few headaches for Moscow, at least in terms of supplying the peninsula with basic services, most of which currently come via Ukraine:
Power outages were reported in parts of Crimea late last night.
The regional power company blamed them on technical problems in a power line from the Ukrainian mainland to the Black Sea peninsula, which has been annexed by Moscow in a move rejected by Kyiv and the West.
Local residents said there was no electricity in several cities in Crimea, including parts of the regional capital, Simferopol.
Crimea's power provider Krymenergo said it introduced partial power cuts after a line operated by Ukraine's national electricity company, Ukrenergo, was hit by a technical fault and went down for repairs.
There's been no word from Ukrenegro on the matter.
Most of Crimea's electricity -- as well as water and food -- is supplied from the Ukrainian mainland.
A pro-Russian Crimean official, Rustam Temirgaliyev, accused Kyiv of reducing electricity to the peninsula to "blackmail" Moscow. (Reuters, ITAR-TASS)
Power outages were reported in parts of Crimea late last night.
The regional power company blamed them on technical problems in a power line from the Ukrainian mainland to the Black Sea peninsula, which has been annexed by Moscow in a move rejected by Kyiv and the West.
Local residents said there was no electricity in several cities in Crimea, including parts of the regional capital, Simferopol.
Crimea's power provider Krymenergo said it introduced partial power cuts after a line operated by Ukraine's national electricity company, Ukrenergo, was hit by a technical fault and went down for repairs.
There's been no word from Ukrenegro on the matter.
Most of Crimea's electricity -- as well as water and food -- is supplied from the Ukrainian mainland.
A pro-Russian Crimean official, Rustam Temirgaliyev, accused Kyiv of reducing electricity to the peninsula to "blackmail" Moscow. (Reuters, ITAR-TASS)
06:31
24.3.2014
Good morning. Reports are coming in that one of the few Crimean military installations still in Ukrainian hands has been stormed. RFE/RL's newsdesk has issued this item:
A Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman says Russian troops forced their way inside a Ukrainian marine base in Feodosia early today.
It was one of the few military facilities still flying the Ukrainian flag in Crimea.
Reports said shots had been fired but there were no reports of injuries.
A Ukrainian military spokesman in Crimea said the Russian troops had been assisted by military helicopters.
Few other details were immediately available.
Russia has been taking control of military bases across Crimea, and stormed two more Ukrainian military installations over the weekend.
Yesterday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said the Russian flag is now flying over 189 military installations in Crimea after Russian forces took control on of Belbek and another base at Novofedorovka, near Sevastopol, on March 22. (Reuters, Channel 5)
A Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman says Russian troops forced their way inside a Ukrainian marine base in Feodosia early today.
It was one of the few military facilities still flying the Ukrainian flag in Crimea.
Reports said shots had been fired but there were no reports of injuries.
A Ukrainian military spokesman in Crimea said the Russian troops had been assisted by military helicopters.
Few other details were immediately available.
Russia has been taking control of military bases across Crimea, and stormed two more Ukrainian military installations over the weekend.
Yesterday, Russia’s Defense Ministry said the Russian flag is now flying over 189 military installations in Crimea after Russian forces took control on of Belbek and another base at Novofedorovka, near Sevastopol, on March 22. (Reuters, Channel 5)
19:40
23.3.2014
Barring any dramatic developments, we are closing the live blog for today. Before we go, we'll leave you with a link to a dramatic firsthand account of the seizure of the Ukrainian "Slavutych" warship by pro-Russian forces in Sevastopol yesterday:
As Mykola delivered his monologue, abundantly peppered with obscene language, blows from a sledgehammer resounded in the background -- the captain's cabin was being broken open. There was an explosion. "They're using grenades," someone commented...
19:35
23.3.2014
An aspect of the Ukraine situation that has probably been slightly neglected until now: "The Daily Beast" takes a detailed look at the influence of the pro-Moscow mafia in eastern Ukraine.
18:23
23.3.2014
Here's an item from RFE/RL's newsdesk on the upcoming OSCE mission to Ukraine:
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have spoken by telephone to discuss "the situation that has arisen" after Crimea's annexation by Russia.
A Kremlin statement said the leaders "expressed satisfaction" that an agreement had been reached to send monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, (OSCE) to Ukraine.
The mission will be deployed in nine places outside Kyiv, but there is no specific mention of Crimea in its mandate.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said yesterday that the mandate "reflects the new political and legal realities and does not apply to Crimea and Sevastopol, which became part of Russia."
But a German government spokesman said the OSCE was "expressly not casting into doubt the territorial integrity of Ukraine." (Reuters, AFP, Interfax)
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have spoken by telephone to discuss "the situation that has arisen" after Crimea's annexation by Russia.
A Kremlin statement said the leaders "expressed satisfaction" that an agreement had been reached to send monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, (OSCE) to Ukraine.
The mission will be deployed in nine places outside Kyiv, but there is no specific mention of Crimea in its mandate.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said yesterday that the mandate "reflects the new political and legal realities and does not apply to Crimea and Sevastopol, which became part of Russia."
But a German government spokesman said the OSCE was "expressly not casting into doubt the territorial integrity of Ukraine." (Reuters, AFP, Interfax)
18:16
23.3.2014
This is interesting and different for sure A sex boycott by Ukrainian women http://t.co/Rl3gc7rTYE
— bruce springnote (@BSpringnote) March 23, 2014
17:01
23.3.2014
RIA kindly informs that petition for the return of Alaska to Russia has been signed by 7K people MT “@rianru: http://t.co/0nafYTjdwJ”
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) March 23, 2014
16:59
23.3.2014
Interfax is quoting Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Prebiynis as saying that Kyiv insists that the OSCE observer mission extend to Crimea:
"This indisputable fact has been recognized by all member countries of the OSCE except Russia, which has once again found itself in isolation in the largest security organization," Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Prebiynis told Interfax on Sunday.
16:28
23.3.2014
Another update from our newsdesk:
In Washington, a top White House aide has said it's possible that Russia could invade eastern Ukraine.
Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken told CNN's "State of the Union" program that Russia seems to be trying to intimidate Ukraine by massing thousands of troops along the border.
Blinken said the United States is looking at providing military assistance to Ukraine.
However, he said "it's very unlikely to change Russia's calculus and prevent an invasion."
In Washington, a top White House aide has said it's possible that Russia could invade eastern Ukraine.
Deputy National Security Advisor Tony Blinken told CNN's "State of the Union" program that Russia seems to be trying to intimidate Ukraine by massing thousands of troops along the border.
Blinken said the United States is looking at providing military assistance to Ukraine.
However, he said "it's very unlikely to change Russia's calculus and prevent an invasion."
15:53
23.3.2014
This video posted on YouTube has footage of what seems be a large pro-Russian demonstration in Odesa today: