Crimean forces release Ukrainian naval commander

The Crimean government released on the early morning of March 20 Ukrainian Naval Commander Serhiy Haiduk, reported acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov, who issued an ultimatum the prior night. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry confirmed on March 19 that Haiduk was arrested and removed from the Ukrainian naval headquarters in Sevastopol by Russian law enforcement officers, who were accompanied for several hundred pro-Russian militia men, who demanded that he join the Russian forces or abandon Crimea.

The Sevastopol prosecutor’s office reported on March 19 that Haiduk was detained for allegedly ordering the use of arms against peaceful citizens, as reported by the Kryminform news site, which is loyal to Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov. Later that day, the Sevastopol prosecutor’s office denied that it had arrested Haiduk.

All civilian Ukrainian hostages in Crimean have been released, Turchynov said. Different sources are reporting that seven hostages were released last night, while the Center for Journalist Investigations reported on March 20 that two journalists still remain kidnapped in Crimea.

The Crimean government denied entry to acting Defense Minister Ihor Teniukh and Vice Prime Minister for Law Enforcement Vitaliy Yarema, who attempted to visit the peninsula to prevent the conflict’s escalation, reported the Interfax-Ukrayina news agency on March 19. Crimean Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov confirmed his government didn’t allow the two ministers to enter.

Zenon Zawada: It’s a positive step to see the Russian government reigning in its officials in Crimea and releasing the naval commander, but the situation remains tense. It remains unclear what the Ukrainian government plans to do with its military personnel on the peninsula. On March 19, it announced its intention to declare a state of war, which would allow Ukrainian soldiers to use their arms. Without a withdrawal, it risks turning the servicemen into target practice for Russian troops or at best, political pawns.