Putin lied about no armed Russian soldiers in Ukraine, navy says

Ukrainian naval commanders issued a March 4 statement alleging Russian President Vladimir Putin openly lied during a press conference that day when he alleged that Russian Federation Armed Forces aren’t engaged in military operations in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. Among their numerous examples, they cited Ukrainian naval ships in Sevastopol that are currently being blocked by Russian Black Sea Fleet ships, which contain naval infantry armed with automatic guns and related equipment. They also rejected Putin’s claim that Crimean residents gained access to Russian uniforms and weapons to engage in their campaign of taking over Ukrainian bases as part of a grassroots self-defense. “Recalling Mr. Putin’s concern that a similar type of uniform and equipment can be bought in any store, we’d want to know exactly where, as well as where can automatic weapons, assault pistols and grenade launchers be bought in violation of Ukrainian law,” the statement said.

Zenon Zawada: The Ukrainian naval commanders were merely confirming what the global community already knows about Putin’s disturbing comments on March 4. Indeed he made many outrageously inaccurate statements about the situation in Ukraine. What’s important about the naval commanders’ statement is they pointed out that none of the Ukrainian base commanders in Crimea have agreed to Russian soldiers’ demands that they pledge loyalty to the new Crimean government. Not a single base or its artillery has been surrendered, they pointed out. Russian commanders apparently thought a surrender of Crimea would come with minimal resistance but there are more Ukrainians who believe in the viability of the independent Ukrainian state than the Russians were led to believe.