The Russian Black Sea fleet supposedly gave an ultimatum for open warfare with Ukraine, but although Moscow has officially declared that none of the Russian warships did this there are reports from journalists on the ground claiming the complete opposite.
In a related report by The Inquisitr , a Russian warship parked over in Cuba has some wondering what the spy boat is up to since it’s so close to the United States. As America debates what to do about the situation in Ukraine, some are highlighting how Mitt Romney once told President Obama to expect aggression from Russia and Putin , but Romney was laughed at along with Sarah Palin .
Since February 26 it’s estimated that over 16,000 Russian troops have been deployed in Ukraine. A Russian flag was even seen flying over the headquarters of Ukraine’s government . The Pokryshkin airbase near port of Sevastopol only had around 200 people but was surrounded by Russia’s special forces, the Spetsnaz, who were also backed up by the Russian Black Sea fleet.
The commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Alexander Vitko, allegedly demanded that the Ukrainian forces in Crimea surrender by “up by 5 a.m. tomorrow, there will be a storm on UA military forces all over Crimea.” The Russian Black Sea Fleet commander also warned Ukrainian forces to defect and join Russia, or the Russian warship would destroy the Ukrainian Navy.
But Colonel Yuli Mamchar wasn’t about to surrender:
“I told him that I had no intention of betraying my country, my men and women will do our duty and resist. I said we knew the meaning of honor and I was saddened that he was acting in a dishonorable way.”
The Russian Defense Ministry released an official statement, declaring that the ultimatum from the Russian Black Sea fleet never happened. But freelance journalist Christopher Miller, who writes for English-speaking audiences, said on Twitter that he heard the threats of open war in Ukraine with his own ears:
@aravosis This quote was reportedly said. I heard a similar ultimatum blared from Russian Black Sea Fleet ship in Sevastopol.
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 3, 2014
Despite what Russian Defense Ministry says, those of us who were there heard this ship deliver ultimatum to Slavutych pic.twitter.com/fuf0enF19O
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) March 3, 2014
Of course, at this point the first ultimatum has passed already so it’s possible the threat by the Russian Black Sea fleet commander was just bluster.
If Russian warships go to war with Ukraine, or starts openly fighting without making an official declaration, what do you think the United States should do?
[Photo via Twitter of Christopher Miller]
