Ukraine has sufficient evidence that the Russian takeover of Crimea was planned in advance, and the active implementation phase of this plan began in 2013. This was announced at a press conference in Kiev, the Minister of justice Pavel Petrenko.
“We were able to get proof that in 2013, the Russian Federation began active operations on the territory of Crimea. Russia illegally increased its contingent in the Crimea illegally transferred personnel and equipment, was carried out subversive work in the local authorities of the Crimea. We know the names of Russian officials, who coordinated this special operation. We have the testimony of the witnesses,” – said the Minister of justice, noting that Ukraine has evidence of cases of capture of civilians and their being subject to torture in the period of the appearance of Russian troops in the Crimea – the so-called “little green men”.
As said Petrenko, the available evidence allows refuting the position of Russia that its actions in the Crimea became “an emotional response to the events in Ukraine.”
“It’s deception and lies. The active phase of the process (capture of the Crimea – Ed.) began in 2013. And at that time the leadership of the country – Yanukovych and his entourage – could not know about these actions. But they were accomplices and helped ensure that in the Crimea was developed in preparation for the invasion and occupation,” – said Petrenko.
We will remind, in March 2014, after the invasion under the guise of “green men” Russia held a “referendum” in Crimea and then illegally annexed the Peninsula.
