Russian troops have seized control of a new Ukrainian military base in western Crimea, throwing stun grenades and tying up the hands of Ukrainian marines, the Ukrainian defence ministry says.
The troops stormed the naval base in Feodosia in the early hours of Monday, using armoured personnel carriers and stun grenades, ministry spokeserson Vladislav Seleznyov said.
General Philip Breedlove of NATO. Photo: AFP (file)
Three Russian vehicles were then seen leaving the base carrying Ukrainian marines whose hands had been tied up, he said.
Russian paratroopers also descended into the base from four helicopters hovering above.
Russia last week incorporated Crimea into its territory, in defiance of international anger, and Moscow has in the last days moved to ensure total military control over the peninsula.
Russia denies it is massing troops on the Ukrainian border since annexing Crimea, saying it is observing all the international agreements on limiting troop numbers in regions bordering Ukraine.
The Interfax news agency reports that Russian flags have now been hoisted at 189 Ukrainian military units and facilities in Crimea.
Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Philip Breedlove said NATO is in particular concerned about the threat to Moldova's Trans-Dniester region. His comments were made at an event held by the German Marshall Fund think-tank in Brussels.
General Breedlove said: "The (Russian) force that is at the Ukrainian border now to the east is very, very sizeable and very, very ready. There is absolutely sufficient force postured on the eastern border of Ukraine to run to Trans-Dniester if the decision was made to do that and that is very worrisome. Russia is acting much more like an adversary than a partner."
Trans-Dniester is a narrow strip of land between the Dniester river and Ukraine's south-western border, which proclaimed independence from Moldova in 1990, the BBC reports.
On Sunday, Russia's Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov told the Itar-Tass agency: "The Russian Defence Ministry is in compliance with all international agreements limiting the number of troops in the border areas with Ukraine."
Russia's ambassador to the EU has warned the United States against sending troops or military aid to Ukraine, saying it would be a "grave mistake".
Russia annexed Crimea following a referendum on 16 March, which came after the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine in February.
The Kremlin said it had acted to protect its "compatriots" in Crimea from "fascists" moving in from the mainland Ukraine.
The US and EU responded with a series of sanctions targeting those individuals - including senior officials - involved in Crimea's annexation.
New Zealand action
The New Zealand Government has imposed what it is describing as a symbolic sanction against a small group of Russians and Ukrainians over the crisis. It has introduced a travel ban on about 20 people, who are on similar lists in the US and Europe.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says it brings the Government into line with other members of the international community which have condemned Russia's actions in Ukraine.
However, Mr McCully says New Zealand wants to avoid any action that might compromise ongoing diplomatic negotiations and the list will be updated, as and when needed.
