A Ukrainian military member was killed Tuesday when the base he was stationed at in the main Crimean town of Simferopol came under attack, various media reported.
A second Ukrainian official, a captain, was injured, said spokesman Vladislav Selenyov, in a telephone call to Reuters.
It’s not clear who launched the attack, but the Ukrainian prime minister put out on Twitter that the Crimea-Russian issue seems to have entered its “military stage,” Haaretz reported.
Mr. Selenyov described the attack as ongoing — and concerted.
“Now we have barricaded ourselves on the second floor,” he said, Reuters reported. “The headquarters has been taken, and the commander has been taken. They want us to put down our arms, but we do not intend to surrender.”
Another serviceman who didn’t give his name told Fifth Channel television: “We are being stormed. We have about 20 people here and about 10 to 15 others, including women.”
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Mr. Seleznyov said it’s not clear who attacked the base — but he said the attackers were “unknown forces, fully equipped” with “their faces covered,” Reuters reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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