Tuesday, March 4, 2014, 20:57
The Command of Sevastopol Naval Brigade and of the crews of the ships Ternopil and Slavutych of the Ukrainian Navy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of lying in a statement made to the media.
“We, the representatives of the Ukrainian Navy, listened carefully to the position and opinions of Russian President Putin, which he voiced at his press conference in Moscow on March 4, 2014,” says the statement.
“During the meeting, in an exchange with a journalist from Reuters, the Russian president keenly pointed out how diplomats rely on their ability to avoid answering directly. But we are military people, known for speaking and acting directly after diplomats have exhausted their arguments,” the statement continued.
“Therefore, we believe we are in a position to accuse the President of Russia of blatant lies that concern the direct participation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the events that over the past few days have unfolded in Crimea and the city of Sevastopol” said the Navy statement.
“Currently the warships of the Naval Forces of Ukraine “Ternopil “and “Slavutych,” located right in Sevastopol bay, are blocked by vessels and warships of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy, in each of which are divisions of the Marine Corps numbering up to one platoon, armed with automatic weapons and the appropriate gear,” said the statement.
“Recalling Mr. Putin’s remarks that such uniforms and equipment can be purchased at any store, I would like to take this opportunity to ask in what store and where one can buy automatic weapons, grenade launchers and combat pistols, in violation of the law of Ukraine?”
“At the same time, we would like to stress that none of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stationed in Crimea and remaining loyal to their duties and military oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people have yielded an inch of the territory of their military units or the weapons entrusted to them, especially in such quantities,” the statement stressed.
“In response to all the innuendo and the dirty stream of false information from the lips of unscrupulous politicians and journalists bought by them, we, the officers, warrant officers, and officers and sailors of the Naval Forces of Ukraine, openly declare that we will honestly and to the end fulfill our military duties, defending our country and the people of Ukraine as we have done since independence, not because of rank or salaries, but because this is our land, and the life of every person living on this land is precious, regardless of nationality,” said the statement.
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/4/7017602/
