Politics

Pro-Russian Militants Attack And Seize Ukrainian Parliament in Crimea, And Deposed President Re-Emerges in Russia!

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putin invades

Protests between pro-Russian separatists and loyalists to the new Ukrainian government broke out into violence in Crimea as gunmen seized a Parliament building, and hoisted up the Russian flag.

In the days previous to the attack, pro-Russian Crimean citizens had been chanting, “Crimea is Russian!” against the Ukrainian loyalists.

Gunmen early Thursday captured the parliament and Cabinet buildings in Simferopol, the capital of Ukraine’s autonomous republic of Crimea, an official said.

Ukraine lawmaker and Crimea native Andrei Semchenko told The Times that two units of gunmen struck about 5:30 a.m. He described the men as wearing camouflage and “armed to the teeth, including heavy machine guns.”

“They used a couple of stun grenades to break in and pushed the police guards stationed inside out into the street,” said Semchenko. “They acted very professionally and seemed to be fully aware of the location of offices and infrastructure in both buildings.”

The gunmen allowed some legislators inside, giving rise to the speculation that their aim is to force a vote to secede from Ukraine. They are currently in a standoff, with the militants saying they don’t “have the authority” to negotiate any terms.

Russia has denied any involvement, but reports of military transport vehicles speeding towards Simferopol spread through social media, including pictures and video like the one below:

The interim Ukrainian president warned the Russians not to invade, and even went so far as to demand that Russian forces not leave their naval base. Eventually the military transports turned around away from Simferopol, making it appear that they were merely on a training exercise.

UKRAINE

Meanwhile, the toppled president Yanukovic is said to be either in the Crimean, or already in Moscow, which is promising to ensure his safety. He is now accused of crimes against humanity for ordering protesters be shot during the Kiev uprising. Defiantly, he penned a declaration saying he’s still the president of Ukraine, and that he will “fight to the end.”

The “military exercise” that Putin commenced near the border of Ukraine is said to be composed of 150,000 soldiers, the same number that the United States invaded Iraq with. Kerry has also made a statement warning the Russians against invading Ukraine.

 

Here’s some live video (when it’s available):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ho9nSUA6d3w

 

 

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