Kyiv, 17 March 2014 – “To date, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have restored all necessary resources and are ready to carry out all necessary tasks”, said Admiral Igor Tenyukh, Acting Defense Minister of Ukraine, at a press briefing at the Ukraine Crisis Media Center. He expressed confidence that the conflict could be resolved diplomatically.  

“Over a very short time span, thanks to the quick work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, timely decisions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, and prompt assistance, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have fully restored their combat capability”, added the acting Defense Minister.

“Partial mobilization is part of the plan to place our Armed Forces in full operational readiness. It will provide the necessary additional staffing for our active units. Ukrainian troops have taken their positions in the east, north and south of Ukraine and are ready to perform their tasks”, said the admiral.

Mr. Tenyukh also confirmed that a truce has been reached in Crimea after negotiations with Russia’s Black Sea Fleet Command: Ukrainian units in Crimea have been unblocked and the military personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has been released from pressure.

“According to our data, there are approximately 21,000 Russian troops in Crimea today. On January 1 this year there were 12,500 troops of the Russian Federation Black Sea Fleet in Crimea. Over the last weeks Russia has deployed an additional 6000 troops to Crimea. This is a direct violation of the international laws and treaties, including the ones between Ukraine and the Russian Federation”, said the acting Defense Minister. “Crimea has been and will be our territory. Ukrainian forces will stay there until all their tasks have been completed.”

Admiral Igor Tenyukh is the acting Minister of Defense of Ukraine. In 2006-2010 he was the commander of the Ukrainian Navy Forces.

Source: Ukraine CRISIS Media Centre