DefenceTalkA total of 72 military units in Crimea have hoisted Russian flags instead of Ukrainian and applied to join the Russian armed forces, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Friday. “Yesterday, 72 military units almost in full strength decided to join the Russian armed forces. We are now dealing with service and citizenship issues of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/72-crimean-military-units-request-joining-russia-59122/

DefenceTalkThe United States on Monday suspended all military engagements with Russia because of the crisis in Ukraine, including military exercises and port visits, as part of Washington’s response to Moscow’s seizure of Crimea. The announcement from the Pentagon came hours after President Barack Obama warned the U.S. government will look at a series of economic […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-halts-military-engagements-with-russia-over-ukraine-crisis-58904/

DefenceTalkRussia denies reports that it issued an ultimatum to Ukrainian armed forces in Crimea, according to the Interfax news agency which cites an official from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. The official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry described information about the ultimatum as ‘total nonsense’. The Russian Black Sea fleet based in Crimea denied on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/reports-of-ukraine-ultimatum-total-nonsense-russian-defense-ministry-58911/

DefenceTalkUS Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel on Thursday joined NATO in warning Russia not to take any action that could lead to “miscalculation” amid rising tensions on Ukraine’s majority-Russian Crimea peninsula. Speaking after pro-Kremlin gunmen seized regional administration buildings in Crimea and Moscow ordered snap combat readiness drills near the border, Hagel warned: “I am closely […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-nato-warn-russia-to-avoid-miscalculation-over-crimea-58888/