Putin Admits That Russian Military Serviceman Assisted Crimean Separatists

Putin Acknowledges Russian Military Serviceman Were In Crimea -- RT

Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged that Russian troops were present in Crimea before the referendum and argued that was necessary to let Crimeans make the choice on the future of the region.

The armed men in military uniform without insignia, dubbed “the little green men” or “the polite people,” who were present in Crimea before and during the referendum there, were Russian troops, Vladimir Putin acknowledged speaking at a Q&A session with on Thursday. The president said he never concealed the fact from his foreign counterparts, and explained to them that it was the only way to ensure the referendum on the region’s status would be carried out peacefully.

“Crimean self-defense forces were of course backed by Russian servicemen,” Putin said. “They acted very appropriately, but as I’ve already said decisively and professionally.”

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More News On Putin Admiting That Russian Military Serviceman Assisted Crimean Separatists

Putin Admits Russian Soldiers Were In Crimea, Slams West For Role In Ukraine Crisis -- AP
Vladimir Putin Admits Russian Forces Helped Crimea Separatists -- NBC
Putin changes course, admits Russian troops were in Crimea before vote -- Washington Post
Putin admits Russian forces were deployed to Crimea -- Reuters
Putin Finally Admits To Sending Troops To Crimea -- Business Insider
Vladimir Putin Admits Russian Troops Have Been Active in Crimea -- Vanity Fair

My Comment: I am not shocked by this admission. It is not a secret that Russia maintains military bases in Crimea as per previous agreements, and that during the height of the crisis soldiers from these bases were deployed to other locations in Crimea. What Putin is now acknowledging officially is that Russia forces were involved with local militias in taking over bases and other Ukrainian governmental installations.