Ukrainian Leader Says Captive Officers Crimea "Being Freed"
Ukrainian Leader Says Captive Officers Crimea "Being Freed"
Acting president Olexander Turchinov has announced that Ukrainian military commanders are being freed from captivity in Crimea and could be in Kiev by Thursday March 27. He made the announcement at a briefing in the Supreme Rada on Wednesday.
“During the recent stormings and acts of provocation, the deputy head of the navy, Major-General [Igor] Voronchenko, Colonel [Yuly] Mamchur, marine battalion commander [Dmitry] Delyatitsky and his deputy [Rostistlav] Lomtev were illegally detained,” Turchinov said. “Thanks to steps taken by Ukraine, they are being freed at this very moment, and I hope we will see them in Kiev as soon as tomorrow.”
Turchinov said all the officers had displayed “steadfastness and courage”, and would receive awards and promotions.
“We will not leave a single officer or soldier unprotected, and they will continue to defend Ukraine alongside us. I am truly grateful to all of those who did not buckle,” he said.
After Turchinov finished his statement, he left the briefing, leaving Viktoria Syumar, secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, to answer questions put by journalists.
Syumar said that as of 18:00, the crew of the Kirovagrad and 47 marines stationed at Genichesk had been brought out of Crimea. Talks are continuing on the removal of troops together with their arms and equipment, she added.
On Wednesday, the Ukrainian defence ministry reported that six Ukrainian military personnel remained in captivity in Crimea.
This article republished from Ukrainska Pravda with kind permission.
