Ukraine Pulls All Its Forces Out of Crimea
The acting president of Ukraine, Oleksandr V. Turchynov, formally ordered the withdrawal of the remaining Ukrainian military forces in Crimea on Monday, ending an increasingly futile effort by some troops to hold on to their bases after Russia’s occupation and annexation of the territory.
The Ukrainian military has been virtually powerless in the face of the invasion late last month by Russian special forces and other units. In recent days, there has been a steady capitulation as Russian units seized base after base, in some cases using armored vehicles to smash through gates and firing weapons in the air.