Russians Capture Ukraine Naval HQ, Naval Chief

via ZeroHedge

It only makes sense that now that Crimea is officially Russian territory once again, that the Russians would do with it as they see fit. Which they did. Overnight Russian troops and unarmed men stormed Ukraine’s naval headquarters in the Crimean port of Sevastopol and raised the Russian flag in what Reuters describedas “a tense but peaceful takeover that signals Moscow’s intent to neutralize any armed opposition.” Russian soldiers, and so-called “self-defense” units of mainly unarmed volunteers who are supporting them across the Black Sea peninsula, moved in early in the morning and quickly took control.

Keep in mind that this took place the day after the Ukraine military authorized its forces to use weapons to defend themselves if attacked. Considering that they did not do that is only further evidence of just how seriously Putin and Russian generals take any attempts by Ukraine to “defend” itself.

And yet in what is certainly an invitation for future provocations, shortly after the incident, Ukraine’s acting Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh said in Kiev that the country’s forces would not withdraw from Crimea even though Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a treaty to make it part of Russia.

But an hour later, Ukrainian servicemen, unarmed and in civilian clothing, began walking out of the headquarters. As NBC added, “about a dozen Ukrainian servicemen were later pictured being led out of the base.”

This happened overnight and now Kiev heavyweight Vladimir Klitscho is calling for the withdrawl of Ukrainian forces in Crimea.  It’s the senisble right thing to do if you ask me.  Their positions are untenable and to fight to the death at this point is stupid.  If you really want peace andto save lives, retreat.  Of course, ifthey wanted peace they wouldn’t have committed the violent coup inwhich over 100 people died.