Ukrainian sailors reject ultimatum of Russian occupants

The Ukrainian ships in Crimea moved away from the shore and prepared for defence.

The Russians blocked Ukrainian ships in Donuzlav Lake. Russia's ultimatum has expired, but Ukrainian seamen in Donuzlav don't leave the ships, TSN reports. They try to defend themselves. They were unable to see the movements of Russian troops at night 700 metres from the shore. They have been defending for several hours. The Ukrainians had to move from the shore last night, after the Russians ordered them to surrender and swear allegiance to Russia. The occupants caught and tied Ukrainians, so the seamen had to get away from the shore.

The ships can be reached only by a motorboat or a helicopter. The seamen are not going to surrender, but the situation remains difficult. A servicemen said on condition of anonymity: “We are far from the shore. They cannot reach us. We've organised defence, we are throwing grenades so that no one can come close to us. Armed servicemen guard the ship,” a source says.

The Russians sank several vessels to block Ukrainian ships from heading out from Donuzlav Lake to the sea. The self-declared Crimean authorities say the property of the Ukrainian Fleet in Crimea will be nationalised.