As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer to the Joint Meeting of the Forum for Security Cooperation and the Permanent Council, Vienna
April 7, 2014
Mr. Chairperson:
On March 28th, we asked Russia for details regarding its ongoing military activities along its border with Ukraine. Specifically, we would like to know:
1) What is the purpose and anticipated duration of these activities?
2) What is the composition and strength of the Russian military forces involved in these activities?
3) To which units and formations do these deployed forces belong?
Based on the number, types of units, and deployed locations of the Russian forces in the southern and western military districts, which border eastern and northern Ukraine, this deployed force has a character that appears designed to intimidate and/or conduct short-notice, sustained, offensive military operations into Ukraine. More broadly, Russia's occupation of the Crimean region undermines the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We urge Russia to reduce its troops to pre-crisis numbers and positions.
The buildup in Russia's Rostov and Belgorod regions opposite the Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Kharkiv, as well as the deployment of forces near Klimovo, barely 20 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, is substantial. The scope of the forces includes not only ground forces, but also forward-deployed air power, providing quick-strike capability and air support to potential ground operations.
Colleagues, maintaining a large concentration of troops in the field at a time when conscripts are normally scheduled to leave service further suggests that this is not an exercise. NATO military authorities have noted that the Russia force is “sized and outfitted and provisioned with everything that it needs to have an incursion into Ukraine.” We have consistently urged the Russian Federation to take steps to de-escalate. The number of Russian troops massed in this area close to the border with Ukraine is clearly aimed at threatening and intimidating, and is therefore an ongoing escalation.
SNIP
"There are reports on social media this morning about how “pro-Russian residents” of Kharkiv stormed the Opera, thinking that it was the town hall, and demanded that the mayor come out. It's very surprising that these so-called “residents” of Kharkiv would think that the Opera was the town hall."
Ukraine was aligned with Moscow until a month ago and it is believed Ukraine's security services are still penetrated by the Russians, the official said.
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/09/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/