Russia's Little Green Men Enter Ukraine: Russian Roulette in Ukraine

VICE News
3 Mar 201404:35

Summary

TLDRIn Crimea, a tense standoff unfolds outside a Ukrainian military base where Russian soldiers from the Sevastopol naval base attempt to seize control, facing resistance from Ukrainian forces who threaten to retaliate. Following Russia's authorization for military invasion, Ukrainian bases have been targeted, with one captured in Balaklava. Negotiations between commanders result in a fragile agreement to avoid violence. Ukrainian soldiers, ill-equipped and isolated, face Russian Special Forces. The world watches as Putin justifies the troop deployment to protect Russian-speakers, while global powers' reactions may influence his next move.

Takeaways

  • 🇷🇺 Russian soldiers from the base in Sevastopol are present outside a Ukrainian military base in Crimea.
  • 🚫 Ukrainian soldiers have refused entry to the Russian soldiers, leading to a tense standoff.
  • ⏳ The standoff has been ongoing for several hours with no resolution.
  • 🏛️ Russia's Parliament has authorized a military invasion of Crimea, indicating a formal escalation.
  • 🛳️ Russian forces have already captured a Ukrainian naval base in Balaklava.
  • 🤝 Negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian commanders resulted in an agreement not to fire.
  • 🔍 It's unclear whether the Russian soldiers' compliance is genuine or a strategic move.
  • 💂 The Ukrainian soldiers are significantly less equipped and are surrounded by Russian Special Forces.
  • 🤐 Ukrainian soldiers are maintaining silence and not revealing any information.
  • 🌍 The international response, particularly from the United States and the UK, will influence Putin's next steps.
  • 🛡️ The situation is framed as a protective measure for Russian speakers and citizens in Ukraine, rather than a coup.

Q & A

  • Where is the reported standoff taking place?

    -The standoff is occurring outside a Ukrainian military base in Crimea.

  • What nationality are the soldiers from the naval base in Sevastopol?

    -The soldiers from the naval base in Sevastopol are Russian.

  • What was the initial action of the Russian soldiers when they arrived at the Ukrainian military base?

    -The Russian soldiers attempted to enter the Ukrainian military base early in the morning.

  • How did the Ukrainian soldiers respond to the Russian soldiers' attempt to enter the base?

    -The Ukrainian soldiers warned that they would fire back if the Russian soldiers tried to enter.

  • What has Russia's Parliament authorized in relation to Crimea?

    -Russia's Parliament has authorized a military invasion of the Crimean Peninsula.

  • What was the outcome of the negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian commanders at the base?

    -The commanders agreed that if the Ukrainians did not shoot, the Russians would not shoot either.

  • Which Ukrainian naval base was captured by Russian soldiers the previous night?

    -A Ukrainian naval base in Balaklava was captured by Russian soldiers.

  • What is the current situation regarding the Ukrainian soldiers at the base?

    -The Ukrainian soldiers are worse equipped, cut off from the mainland, and surrounded by Russian Special Forces.

  • Why are the Ukrainian soldiers not speaking to anyone?

    -The Ukrainian soldiers are trained to remain silent and are not revealing any information, similar to the guards outside Buckingham Palace.

  • What is the justification given by Putin for bringing troops into Ukraine?

    -Putin claims that the troops are there to protect Russian speakers and Russian citizens inside Ukraine.

  • What is the significance of the reactions from the United States, the UK, and other world powers?

    -Their reactions will influence Putin's next steps and the progression of the situation in Crimea.

Outlines

00:00

🚨 Tense Standoff at Ukrainian Military Base in Crimea

The video script describes a tense standoff at a Ukrainian military base in Crimea, where Russian soldiers from the Sevastopol naval base have attempted to gain entry since early morning. The Ukrainian soldiers have warned of retaliatory fire if the Russians proceed. The situation has escalated with the Russian Parliament authorizing a military invasion of Crimea. Russian soldiers have been seizing Ukrainian bases, successfully capturing a naval base in Balaklava the previous night. Negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian commanders resulted in a mutual agreement not to fire. The Ukrainian soldiers appear to be significantly less equipped and are now surrounded by Russian Special Forces. The video script also raises questions about the international community's response to Putin's justification for troop deployment to protect Russian speakers and citizens within Ukraine.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Crimea

Crimea is a peninsula located in Eastern Europe that has been a focal point of geopolitical tensions. In the video, Crimea is the location of a military standoff between Russian and Ukrainian forces, highlighting its significance as a contested territory. The script mentions the Russian military's presence and actions in Crimea, emphasizing the region's ongoing political and military conflict.

💡Russian naval base

The Russian naval base in Sevastopol is a strategic military installation mentioned in the script, indicating the historical and ongoing Russian military presence in Crimea. The base serves as a home for the Russian soldiers involved in the standoff, illustrating the depth of Russia's involvement in the region.

💡Standoff

A standoff refers to a tense situation where opposing parties are at an impasse, unwilling or unable to back down. In the context of the video, the standoff is between Russian and Ukrainian soldiers at a military base in Crimea, with both sides threatening to use force if the other makes a move, showcasing the high-stakes nature of the conflict.

💡Ukrainian soldiers

The Ukrainian soldiers in the script are the military personnel defending their base against the Russian forces. They represent the defense and sovereignty of Ukraine, and their willingness to fire back if provoked underscores the severity of the situation.

💡Russian Marines

Russian Marines are part of the Russian military and are depicted in the script as being involved in the standoff at the Ukrainian base. Their presence along the perimeter signifies the military pressure exerted by Russia in the conflict.

💡Parliament

In the script, Russia's Parliament is mentioned as having authorized a military invasion of Crimea, indicating the formal political backing for Russia's military actions. This highlights the role of government institutions in legitimizing military interventions.

💡Naval base in balaclava

The naval base in balaclava is referred to as a location that was captured by Russian soldiers, demonstrating the extent of Russia's military advances in Crimea. This capture is part of the broader military actions by Russia in the region.

💡Ukrainian commander

The Ukrainian commander in the script is a key figure who negotiates with the Russian commander to prevent further escalation of violence. The commander's role is crucial in maintaining a fragile peace and represents the leadership and decision-making on the Ukrainian side.

💡Russian commander

The Russian commander is mentioned as engaging in negotiations with the Ukrainian commander, suggesting a level of communication and potential for de-escalation between the two opposing forces. The commander's actions are indicative of the military leadership on the Russian side.

💡Special Forces

Russian Special Forces in the script are depicted as surrounding the Ukrainian base, signifying a highly trained and capable military presence. Their involvement underscores the seriousness of the situation and the potential for a rapid and decisive military action.

💡Buckingham Palace guards

The guards outside Buckingham Palace are used metaphorically in the script to describe the stoic silence and discipline of the Ukrainian soldiers. This comparison highlights the soldiers' resolve and the high stakes of the situation, as they stand their ground without revealing any information.

💡Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin is mentioned in the script as having brought troops to Crimea to protect Russian speakers and citizens within Ukraine. His actions and motivations are central to the conflict's narrative and the international community's response.

💡World powers

The term 'world powers' in the script refers to influential countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, whose actions and policies will significantly impact the unfolding situation in Crimea. The response of these powers is a key factor in determining the future course of the conflict.

Highlights

Russian soldiers from the naval base in Sevastopol have arrived at a Ukrainian military base in Crimea, attempting to gain entry.

Ukrainian soldiers have warned they will retaliate if the Russian soldiers attempt to enter the base.

A tense standoff has been ongoing for hours between Ukrainian and Russian forces.

Russian Parliament has authorized a military invasion of Crimea.

Russian soldiers have been attempting to take over various Ukrainian bases.

A Ukrainian naval base in Balaklava was captured by Russian forces.

Ukrainian and Russian commanders have negotiated, agreeing not to engage in violence.

The Ukrainian soldiers are significantly less equipped and cut off from the mainland.

Ukrainian soldiers are surrounded by Russian Special Forces.

Ukrainian soldiers are maintaining silence and not revealing any information.

The situation is being described as a 'treat' rather than a 'coup'.

Russian forces are not wearing any insignia, but their identity is apparent.

The world is questioning the response of global powers to Putin's actions in Ukraine.

Putin claims the deployment of troops is to protect Russian speakers and citizens in Ukraine.

The reaction of the United States, UK, and other world powers will influence Putin's next move.

Transcripts

play00:42

So we're outside a Ukrainian military base here in Crimea, but the soldiers over here are Russian

play00:49

They're from the basin Sevastopol the Russian naval base

play00:53

And they showed up here early this morning tried to get into the base

play00:56

But the Ukrainian soldiers here told them that if they did they would fire back

play01:01

So there's been quite a tense standoff here for the last few hours

play01:05

With the Ukrainians behind the gate here and the Russian seems to be Marines all along the perimeter of the base

play01:22

Russia's Parliament has just authorized a military invasion of the Crimean, Peninsula

play01:26

here in Ukraine and what's been happening so far is that Russian soldiers have been going up to various Ukrainian bases and

play01:33

Trying to take them over last night. They managed to capture a Ukrainian naval base in balaclava and this morning

play01:41

They've showed up to this army base

play01:54

So the Ukrainian commander of this base just had some negotiations with the Russian commander and

play02:00

Essentially long story short they've agreed to say if you don't shoot we won't shoot

play02:29

The

play02:46

Russian it's hard to tell whether it's genuine or whether these people just sense that the winds of change coming through I

play03:05

Really wouldn't want to be the Ukrainian soldiers standing behind this gate right now. There are a lot worse equipped

play03:11

They're cut off from the mainland, and they're surrounded by Russian Special Forces

play03:32

So I think these guys got their training from the guards outside of Buckingham Palace because they're not saying a word to anybody

play03:39

As we need even more to discuss Isis Cucuy Basel is Kokua strongly. You know it's a treat. It's not a coup which were pros

play03:49

Yeah, they don't want to say anything they're not wearing any insignia, but it's pretty clear that they're Russian

play04:02

So the big question everybody is asking themselves right now is what is the rest of the world going to do because

play04:07

Putin's announced that he's brought troops here in order to protect Russian speakers and Russian citizens inside Ukraine

play04:14

but

play04:15

What the United States?

play04:16

And what the UK and the other world powers are going to do next is going to have a lot to do with?

play04:21

Putin's next step

play04:34

You

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Related Tags
Crimea ConflictRussian InvasionUkrainian BaseMilitary StandoffInternational CrisisNaval BaseSevastopol MarinesPutin's MoveWorld ResponsePolitical Tension