Russian military intensifies Ukrainian invasion during the weekend

The Russian military invasion of Ukraine intensified during the weekend as armed troops accompanied by civilian activists took over more airfields, issued ultimatums to surrender bases and attacked at least military one base and one border post (in Sevastopol), destroying its technical equipment. They are currently blocking 11 border posts, reported the State Border Service. At least 300 Russian military vehicles were reported to have crossed into the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Meanwhile, the Russian Black Sea Fleet flagship cruiser Moskva has set sail for the Ukrainian mainland, reported on March 9 the Center for Military-Political Research.

Russian soldiers began mining the Crimean border with the Kherson Oblast this weekend and digging holes for border posts, reported visti.ks.ua. They mined a dam on the Chonhar peninsula, reported the Center for Military-Political Research. In the same peninsula, Russian troops also occupied private property and a hotel, reported Kherson Oblast State Administration Chair Yuriy Odarchenko. “This is absolutely a clear intervention, an insolent and audacious attack on the sovereign state of Ukraine,” he said. “And they are trying to widen their influence on this territory of the Kherson Oblast.”

At least seven EuroMaidan activists and three journalists were kidnapped or arrested during the weekend in Crimea and near the Crimean border in the Kherson oblast, including Andriy Shchekun, the leader of the Crimean EuroMaidan.

More than 3,000 pro-Russian activists attacked EuroMaidan activists in Luhansk on March 8, injuring several dozen, reported the 5 Kanal television network. They also stormed the Oblast State Administration, which is the Presidential Administration’s representative organ, and hung Russian flags. “The major part of the attackers were young, athletic men in black masks carrying bats,” the report said. “They tore apart Ukrainian flags, between demonstrators, stomped on flowers near the monument and destroyed acoustic speakers. Ukrainian wreaths were removed from the girls, many of which suffered bodily injuries. The police stood aside and when asked why they aren’t acting, the responded that they didn’t receive a command.”

Most of the demonstrators hanging Russian flags and demanding referenda to federalize the eastern oblasts of Ukraine are Russian citizens bused to Ukraine, said on March 9 Vitali Klitschko, a top presidential contender. He called for the Border Service to prevent such “tourists” from entering Ukraine in order to divide the country. “They can make such demands in their own country, in Russia,” he said. “Ukrainians will decide for themselves how to live and what kind of country to build.”

As of March 9, more than 3,500 Russian citizens, including 16 journalists, were denied entry to Ukraine, said Pavlo Shysholin, the first deputy head of the State Border Service of Ukraine, as reported by the Ukrainian News agency. At least 500 Russians are denied entry daily, he said. Some of those denied possessed weapons and the addresses of Russian diplomatic agencies in Ukraine.