Crimea has gone to the polls today to decide, nominally at least, between joining the Russian Federation or reverting to the 1992 Crimean consitution (a declaration of independence from Ukraine in all but name). The referendum has been condemned by both the Ukrainian government and almost all foreign states bar Venezuela, Syria and North Korea. […]
Today, all indications are that Russia is making preparations to invade Ukraine, not just Crimea but perhaps as far west as Kharkiv, or even beyond. Whether Russia will invade or not is still anyone’s guess, but it’s not just troop movements that we’re watching. Russia is, at the very least, prepared to use their ability […]
On March 6th, an ‘open podium’ debate was held in Russia on the situation in Ukraine. Speakers discussed how Russia could “help Ukraine survive these tragic times” and set the country onto the “path to a peaceful settlement”. This is a translation from the Russian government daily newspaper, Rossiyskaya Gazeta. For reasons unknown, RG removed […]
As Russian troops continue to swell on the Crimean peninsula, and dueling rallies were held both in support and in resistance to Russian activity there, there are new claims that Crimean Tatars may be targeted by local Crimeans before this crisis is resolved. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of […]
The war of words between Russia and the EU and USA is intensifying. While the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, is attending meetings in Paris to persuade France, an arms supplier to Russia, to oppose sanctions, Russian state media have released potentially damaging phone recordings between EU diplomats. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For […]
“Russia, Russia!” chanted the people on the square in front of the Crimean parliament. The only Ukrainian flag is hanging on the building of the Supreme Council, but in the crowd, there are only Russian and Crimean banners. At first glance, they look like twins, except the Crimean flag has first a red stripe, then […]
This video clip has been circulating in social media all today, but just now has been moved to “private” on YouTube and is no longer visible, although it is still shown on some news sites. It shows a woman who says she is from Odessa and has come to the Sevastopol State Region Administration to […]
The threat of a full-scale Russian invasion of mainland Ukraine continues, as John Kerry and Barack Obama both “condemn” Russia’s occupation of Crimea as a violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and international law. Meanwhile, in Kharkiv, there is evidence of pro-Russian mobs beating Euromaidan protestors and journalists. Also, the newly appointed head of Ukraine’s Navy has […]
Amid reports of more Russian troops in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed sending a stabilization force into the country until it is “normalized.” This is an invasion, just under a different name. Yesterday’s liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see see our latest podcast. Below, we […]
The country is simultaneously more united and more divided today, and the interim government is gaining control or disbanding part of deposed president Yanukovych’s security apparatus. At the same time, rival protests have been held in east Ukraine, and there’s now a growing rift between those who wish to declare independence from Ukraine and those […]
