Ukrainian servicemen in Crimea allowed to use weapons

KYIV, March 19 /Ukrinform/. The military units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stationed in Crimea have been allowed to use weapons due to the death of a Ukrainian serviceman, reads a statement posted on the official website of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

"In connection with the killing of Ukrainian serviceman, Warrant Officer Kakurin S. V., during an assault on the 13th photogrammetric the center of the main department of operational support for the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Simferopol) by the attackers who were wearing military uniforms of the Russian Armed Forces, for the sake of protecting and preserving the life of Ukrainian servicemen, according to the decision of the acting supreme commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the acting Ukrainian defense minister, on the basis of an order of the chief of general staff and chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the military units of the Ukrainian Armed Forces stationed in Crimea have been allowed to use weapons," reads the statement.

According to the statement, on March 18, 2014, during the assault on the 13th photogrammetric center in Simferopol, Warrant Officer Kakurin, who was on an observant tower of the military unit's car fleet, died from a gunshot wound to the heart. In addition, Captain Fedun was shot in the neck and arm. One more Ukrainian soldier sustained serious leg and head injuries from the blows with batons.

According to the Defense Ministry, the attackers were dressed in military uniforms of the Russian Armed Forces without any insignia and armed with automatic weapons and sniper rifles.

The unit commander, Col. Andriy Andriushyn, was captured during negotiations, held in a separate room and was being forced to take the side of the Crimean people.

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