Ukraine Says Russia Sends Troops Out of Crimea And Onto Ukrainian Mainland
Ukraine accused Russia of sending troops outside the Crimean peninsula and onto the Ukrainian mainland for the first time Saturday, as Russia’s foreign ministry said Russia had received numerous calls to “protect peaceful civilians” following clashes in eastern Ukraine. Russia is considering the requests, it said.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry issued a protest against the troop landing in the Kherson region near Crimea, and demanded an immediate withdrawal. The ministry said about 80 troops had landed along with four helicopter gunships and three armored vehicles. It said Ukraine “reserves the right to use all necessary measures to stop the military invasion by Russia.”
Ukrainian news services reported that the Russian troops seized a natural gas distribution station.