Ukranian Crisis

[Feanor]

More news. Ukraine has attempted to mobilize. Key word - attempted. It seems to not be working. Though the official mobilization doesn't start until March 2nd.

The 79th Air-Mobile Brigade was supposed to head out towards Crimea, but it failed to. All the entrances were blocked by anti-Maydan (pro-Russian) protesters. After several failed attempts to leave, the officers ordered the troops to return weapons to the armory, and return to their quarters.

The 25th Air-Mobile Brigade was in the same situation, but it attempted to ram a crowd of people with an Ural truck. A number of soldiers dressed in civilian clothes picked a fight with the protesters, but lost. One of them was captured, and his uniform was discovered under the civvies. Shots were fired, no info on casualties. Officers in the unit called their orders criminal and there is an officers meeting to decide whether to carry them out. The officers say that they don't want to fight other Ukrainians, and they were being sent to Crimea to fight against Berkut which guards the entrance to the peninsula. However 5 trucks did manage to get out, and were moving towards Crimea, but got sidetracked somehow somewhere.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - Ð¡Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÐ°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ Ð½Ð° Украине. МобилизациÑ

Meanwhile the 39th Ukrainian Navy training unit has left their base, after negotiations with Russian troops, and a fairly violent confrontation (with no casualties). Negotiations ensued, following which locals report that the Ukrainian Navy unit has laid down their weapons and is leaving the base. It's unclear whether it's essentially disbanding, or going somewhere as a unit.

http://news.allcrimea.net/news/2014...urmujut-ukrainskuju-chast-v-sevastopole-6250/
http://the-mockturtle.livejournal.com/652578.html?view=45661474&style=mine#t45663010
http://u-96.livejournal.com/3224946.html

Here's a humorous photo of a Russian Missile Boat and a Ukrainian coast guard boat.

http://u-96.livejournal.com/3225283.html

Meanwhile Russia tells Ukraine that no official decision to move troops into Ukraine has been made. This is after it's obvious that Russia has occupied a large number of objects in Crimea.

http://newsru.com/world/01mar2014/narturtalk.html

And a Russian BDK has brought about 700 troops to Crimean.

http://military-informant.com/index.php/flot/4795-1.html

Massive demonstrations in Eastern Ukraine continue, and the events are being called "Russian Spring". Some of the crowds are demanding referendums, autonomy for their cities and regions, some are demanding an immediate change of power in Kiev. Lots (LOTS) of photos.

colonelcassad.livejournal.com/1445657.html

EDIT: The news of mobilization turned out to be false. They're gathering some reservists, and bringing troops to heightened alert. What this means in practice is unclear. Probably very little.

Lenta.ru published some conversation between locals and Russian soldiers in the center of Simferopol. They're asinine, and friendly.

What's alarming is the video of the Crimean Militia which is armed with anti-riot shield and wooden clubs.

http://lenta.ru/articles/2014/03/02/simferopol/

A Ukrainian Marine btln in Feodosiya was blockaded by Crimean militias together with Russian troops. They were asked to surrender by a certain time, and threatened with an assault. But the time has passed and no assault has occurred. The Ukrainian marines inside say that they intend to fight to the last. Allegedly two men were trying to sneak into the unit at night, one of them in a military uniform. Both were captured.

http://lenta.ru/news/2014/03/02/feodosia/

Russian news sources are reporting that massive numbers of soldier and officers are resigning from the Ukrainian military units in Crimea. When they say resigning they could simply mean leaving, like the 39th training unit.

http://lenta.ru/news/2014/03/02/troops/

And Russian troops have left the Coast Guard unit in Balaclava, after seizing it, and negotiating with the local command. It's possible that they left after some sort of neutrality had been established, and the missile boat is probably still blocking the harbor.

http://lenta.ru/news/2014/03/02/balaklava/

 

[Musashi_kenshin]

Ukraine is mobilising its reserves, according to the BBC.

More news. Ukraine has attempted to mobilize. Key word - attempted. It seems to not be working.

I would be surprised if anti-Kiev forces surround all of Ukraine's major military bases. In a few cases they may be disrupting mobilisation, but it's inconceivable they're forcing the military to stay in base.

 

[Feanor]

For me it looks like the whole situation is just one spark away from erupting in flames.

Such situations tend to gain a momentum of their own.

A shooting war between loyal Ukraine Forces and Russia will be a bloody affair. And god help us all if the Ukrainians didn't surrender all their nuclear warheads and someone gets an itchy finger...

I don't think there will be a bloody affair. Worst case scenario, some die-hard nationalists will try to start a confrontation with Russian troops, which will go badly for them fast. However from the looks of it even the units the government thought reliable - aren't. Note how the 25th Air-Mobile Brigade is doing this for the second time. The first time they were sent to Kiev by Yanukovich. They were turned around by protesters, and their command decided to ignore the orders. Now they're told to go by the new government, turned around by protesters, and it looks like they're not going once again.

The only positive thing is that the world sees the true nature of the current russian regime. This may very well lead to some of our politicians reevaluating the defense situation of the EU.

Maybe. But keep in mind Russian military action has been very low-key. And so far it hasn't been officially recognized. The front line is handled by local forces. If fighting breaks out at the entrances to Crimea, it will likely be between two Ukrainian forces. At which point Russia stepping in will look like a peace-making process.

It's a very thin line they're walking, and so far they've done it surprisingly well. They've managed to not only secure entrances and exits, but also shut down the Ukrainian military not only easily, but without any casualties on either side. If things continue like this, there could be no fighting. The tide of anti-Maydan sentiments will either shut down the Kiev government or even split the country in two, and Russian intervention in Crimea will be old news.

Ukraine is mobilising its reserves, according to the BBC.

They're not. Some rumors say that they were going to mobilize, but were forced to cancel after the reservists simply didn't show up in any significant numbers.

I would be surprised if anti-Kiev forces surround all of Ukraine's major military bases. In a few cases they may be disrupting mobilisation, but it's inconceivable they're forcing the military to stay in base.

All would be hard. But I doubt the government can count on the loyalty of all units. They will likely try to (or already have tried to) move those units which they think they can count on. So far this hasn't worked.

One has also to consider the internal political situation in Russia; Putin, even if he wants to, is unlikely to back down or prevent this de-facto annexation.

I think this is very close to the truth. Russia can't afford to back down. There is too much at stake domestically and in the near abroad. It's not so much about acquiring territory, or even protecting Russian citizens, it's about not looking like the Russia of the 90s.

The regime itself has little interest in Crimea, aside from BSF basing rights. But they require and have gotten used to, a supportive public at home. Thus their social spending, their nationalistic rhetoric (a little silly coming from an oligarchical regime), and their high-profile projects directed at improving the image of Russia not so much abroad as at home.

The ideal strategic picture for Russia has always been a pliant Ukraine which can function as a buffer between them and EU/NATO by means of a strong, pro-Russian political bloc within Ukraine. But Yanukovych blew their credibility to shreds with Maidan.

Yanukovich was a corrupt idiot whose policies wrecked the economy, and whose international game put Ukraine in a position where it has no real friends. Worse yet, his indecision and weakness let the protests get out of hand and topple the government. This entire crisis can be blamed on him.

I agree with Feanor. It looks from the outside as if Russia are flexing their military muscles again in defiance of Western wishes but it's really all about patriotic allegiances.

These run deep; however mystifying it may seem to us in the West. What has being part of Russia/USSR actually done for the people of Ukraine in the 20th Century? Highly questionable, Look at the famines of Stalin's time. Look at Chernobyl. Look at the forced relocation that took place during Stalin's time. It's not a happy story.

So where do the deep seated allegiances come from?

The answer is simple and complex at once. In the most recent sense these allegiances stem from the fact that Russia has developed a model of state-building that is more attractive then the Ukrainian one (or rather absence of one). In the last 5 years something very dramatic happened. Ukrainians have been leaving the country to move westward for 20 years. But recently they've started to move to Russia too. There are jobs, there are no wage arrears, there is a stable government, and there is a sense of security, a belief that this government is going to protect its citizens and its status quo, if only for its own interests. 10 years ago, when Russia looked little better then Ukraine, this was not such a big issue. Now it is.

Historically the issue is cultural ties. Remember, Ukraine wasn't really a separate entity in the Soviet days. Republican borders in those times were utterly insignificant. They simply did not matter in the political or cultural sense. They were mostly administrative, and people generally ignored their very existence, precisely because they did not matter. Russian living in Crimea or Kharkov in those days lived in their Motherland (be it called the USSR or Russia). Now Ukraine is actually a separate country, and with a very different internal situation. A lot of post-Soviet conflicts arose precisely for this reason.

 

[John Fedup]

You can bet China is watching Western responses to this crisis very closely and their prospects for land and resource grabs in the disputed South China Sea look increasing good.

 

[Humming Drone]

I don't think that annexing Crimea is the preferred outcome for Russia. I think they will much rather prefer to have unidentified well armed polite men serve as a buffer and deterrent from new Kiev government interfering with Crimean government conducting their referendum and other legislative activities to establish Crimea as a de-facto independent state able to conduct independent internal and international policy. De-jure this will be still part of Ukraine. I don't know if there are legal avenues for this, but I think that will provide Russia with the following:

- denial of official military involvement (i.e. Russia only provided political and economic support to Crimean government)
- Russia can sign treaties with Crimea - political, economic, military, etc.
- remove Black sea fleet basing rights leverage from the new Ukranian government in Kiev
- with Crimea still being part of Ukraine (and with potential expanded Russian military bases there) that could be used as a roadblock for Ukraine trying to join NATO
- domestic political win

 

[alexkvaskov]

The troops not moving is one thing, how far will they go? Potentially opposing the new authorities which might well repeat the story of the provisional Russian government in 1917.

 

[gazzzwp]

Historically the issue is cultural ties. Remember, Ukraine wasn't really a separate entity in the Soviet days. Republican borders in those times were utterly insignificant. They simply did not matter in the political or cultural sense. They were mostly administrative, and people generally ignored their very existence, precisely because they did not matter. Russian living in Crimea or Kharkov in those days lived in their Motherland (be it called the USSR or Russia). Now Ukraine is actually a separate country, and with a very different internal situation. A lot of post-Soviet conflicts arose precisely for this reason.

Thank you for sharing the information and your insight. Very interesting indeed.

G

 

[Beatmaster]

Right now it seems that Russia is playing political hardball, while their forces use a soft touch to Crimea.
The government of Ukraine seem to have lost overall control, but has mobilized their army (As far their mobilization capacity at this point allows.

With the west adding diplomatic pressure on Putin it seems that all sides are sort of in a stall mate, however Russia seem to dictate the situation.

Question is how long will Russia enjoy the advantage?
What realistic options does Ukraine have at this point? Afterall right or wrong they still have a territory to protect, and Russia is violating international law and individual agreements.
What is the western response going to be for the next few days?
And what is plan B? As a conflict is a real option.
Right now it seems that everyone is on their top of their nerves, so what if one of the sides loses its nerves? What is the west going to do then?

Because on a personal note, Russia seem to get away with their actions (Regardless if they have legit reasons or not) So what fallout will come to Russia?

 

[John Fedup]

Right now it seems that Russia is playing political hardball, while their forces use a soft touch to Crimea.
The government of Ukraine seem to have lost overall control, but has mobilized their army (As far their mobilization capacity at this point allows.

With the west adding diplomatic pressure on Putin it seems that all sides are sort of in a stall mate, however Russia seem to dictate the situation.

Question is how long will Russia enjoy the advantage?
What realistic options does Ukraine have at this point? Afterall right or wrong they still have a territory to protect, and Russia is violating international law and individual agreements.
What is the western response going to be for the next few days?
And what is plan B? As a conflict is a real option.
Right now it seems that everyone is on their top of their nerves, so what if one of the sides loses its nerves? What is the west going to do then?

Because on a personal note, Russia seem to get away with their actions (Regardless if they have legit reasons or not) So what fallout will come to Russia?

The short answer is there will be minimal fallout for Russia. The West, after spending tons of blood and treasure in Iraq and Afghanistan, has no stomach for getting involved. Ukraine needs to understand this and act accordingly, unfortunately.

 

[Feanor]

More news.

30 pilots with their planes have declared that they will take orders from the autonomous government of Crimea, not Kiev.

30

And the newly appointed head of the Ukrainian Navy also crossed over to the side of the Crimean autonomy. However some Ukrainian coast guard and Navy ships have arrived in Odessa. The 36th Coastal Defense Brigade has stepped down from the high readiness announced by the Kiev government, returned weapons to the armory, and vehicles to their garages. Reports of additional MVD and MoD units declaring their allegiance to Crimea are coming in.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Ãëàâà ÂÌÑ Óêðàèíû êîíòð-àäìèðàë Áåðåçîâñêèé ïðèíåñ ïðèñÿãó íà âåðíîñòü íàðîäó Êðûìà (ÂÈÄÅÎ)
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zt9efnLV4UY#t=25"]СПУТÐИК И ПОГРОМ: УкраинÑкий флот переходит на Ñторону Крыма - YouTube[/nomedia]

The Ministry of Emergency Situations units also seem to be under Crimean control. Sources claim that either a lot of, or the majority of, military units in Crimea have crossed over to the autonomy's side. Some have been disarmed.

http://vz.ru/politics/2014/3/2/675106.html

Here's a dramatic photo of Russia troops "blocking" a Ukrainian military unit. Note the Soviet-era metal helmets and ancient flaks on the Ukrainians.

In one of the units, an emergency formation was held. The troops stood there for an hour, then were told to clean their boots, and return to their quarters.

The video is an interview with a Ukrainian officer. He says "Near our base is a Kamaz with Russian soldiers armed with fire arms, in flak and kevlar, and have suggested that we disarm, and have them guard our fire arms. I replied that since I am a Ukrainian service member, and take orders from the commander of the Navy, we most certainly won't be disarming. I stated that in accordance with the order of the Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine I will not allow anyone past the fence around the military unit. If someone does penetrate, we will use all means necessary up to and including shooting to kill. To avoid blood shed I asked the Russian commander to move his men away from the fence, to the road, and not to attempt to enter the unit. I have warned them of the consequences. I won't stop them moving around out here, we don't have that authority, but we will protect out territory, and the lives of our service members."

http://u-96.livejournal.com/3225827.html

Note that when he talks about defending territory, he means the territory of that military unit, not Ukraine, or Crimea. Also note the head of the Ukrainian Navy, from whom he claims to take orders, has already crossed over to the Crimean side. The video may predate that, or they might not know yet.

http://u-96.livejournal.com/3225827.html

In this video a Russia soldier is arguing with a Ukrainian military officer about a truck of weapons. The truck is Russian, the weapons are Ukrainian, and were loaded into the truck as part of disarming the unit. The Ukrainian officer is demanding that they unload the weapons and leave them here. Eventually the weapons were taken to a Ukrainian storage base, by Russian troops, with escort from the Ukrainians. It's unclear who currently controls the storage base (likely Russia), but given that the military and MVD are rapidly crossing over to the Crimean side...
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQqBYq75LjY"]УкраинÑкие офицеры недопуÑтили вывоз Ð¾Ñ€ÑƒÐ¶Ð¸Ñ Ñ ÑƒÑ‡ÐµÐ±Ð½Ð¾Ð³Ð¾ отрÑда ВМС Украины (СеваÑтополь) - YouTube[/nomedia]

And Crimean authorities have arrived in Moscow where they have been promised 6 bln USD to help stabilize the situation in Crimea. It's unclear how much money they will actually get, but it will be a sizeable amount.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Êðûìñêèå âëàñòè ïðèåõàëè â Ìîñêâó çà äåíüãàìè, èì îáåùàþò 6 ìëðä äîëëàðîâ

In Lugansk the local protests ended with a storming of the government building, raising of the Russian flag, and a demand that Lugansk hold a referendum regarding its separation from Ukraine. The deputies of Lugansk passed a resolution stating that if the situation escalates, they will request Russian assistance.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com ::  Ëóãàíñêå ïðîðîññèéñêèé ìèòèíã çàêîí÷èëñÿ òðåáîâàíèåì ðåôåðåíäóìà è øòóðìîì îáëàäìèíèñòðàöèè

Meanwhile in Odessa several thousand quietly, and peacefully, protested against Russian troops being brought into Ukraine.

Íîâîñòè NEWSru.com :: Òûñÿ÷è îäåññèòîâ âûøëè íà ìèòèíã ïðîòèâ ââåäåíèÿ ðîññèéñêèõ âîéñê íà Óêðàèíó

And looting in Central Ukraine is continuing. A whole bunch of upper level MVD officials have been replaced by the new government, but it remains to be seen whether this has any effect. A lot of the Russian flags raised over the government building in the East are still flying.

http://vz.ru/politics/2014/3/2/675106.html

Some interesting details, when the Ukrainian military tried to put a couple of planes in the air, the runways were blocked by Russian vehicles. Some of the units were separated from their arsenals, and the arsenals were blocked by Russian troops, leading to commanders sending their men home.

http://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/1446347.html

Meanwhile, Polish troops are moving towards the Ukrainian border.

http://vseneobichnoe.livejournal.com/2585032.html

 

[SolarWind]

So where do the deep seated allegiances come from? It's a good question. Yes Russia liberated the area in 1943 and 1944. That maybe the answer I just don't know. Maybe some of the more informed members can help with the cultural perspective here?

Soviet Russia also "liberated"/annexed parts of Ukraine in 1919. Read up on Symon Petliura. Could also be spelled Petlura.

 

[colay]

What is the likelihood that Ukraine winds up joining NATO eventually? A referendum several years back showed a majority of Ukrainians opposed NATO membership but recent developments may have shifted the sentiment the other way.

 

[cdxbow]

This map shows the percentage of primary Russian speakers in the Ukraine. If you look at the voting patterns it is split similarly. I have added stars at some of the places that Feanor has reported pro Russian activities.

Clearly a country divided. Looking at it as an outsider, the best thing to do is for it to split and realign the political entities with cultural/ethnic/political sympathies. Unfortunately I'm sure the Ukrainians nationalists or the pro Russian Ukrainians wouldn't want it, and perhaps as mentioned in an early post, a fractious Ukraine, unable to join the EU or NATO is maybe what the Russians want.

Countries can divide without bloodshed, Czechoslovakia managed it.

 

[ngatimozart]

Soviet Russia also "liberated"/annexed parts of Ukraine in 1919. Read up on Symon Petliura. Could also be spelled Petlura.

This is an article which sheds a bit of light on what happened regarding the Ukraine around the time of the Russian revolution and civil war A Ukrainian in Paris: Symon Petliura, Nationalisms, and the Russian Civil War « makinghistoryatmacquarie If the Crimea has been part of Russia for two centuries. I don't normally cite wikipedia but this link gives a readable history of the Crimea. [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Crimea"]History of Crimea - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] Of note that according to this Russian claims through occupation only go back to 1783 after Russia conquered it from the Ottoman empire.

 

[Feanor]

This map shows the percentage of primary Russian speakers in the Ukraine. If you look at the voting patterns it is split similarly. I have added stars at some of the places that Feanor has reported pro Russian activities.

Clearly a country divided. Looking at it as an outsider, the best thing to do is for it to split and realign the political entities with cultural/ethnic/political sympathies. Unfortunately I'm sure the Ukrainians nationalists or the pro Russian Ukrainians wouldn't want it, and perhaps as mentioned in an early post, a fractious Ukraine, unable to join the EU or NATO is maybe what the Russians want.

Countries can divide without bloodshed, Czechoslovakia managed it.

Missing on that map are pro-Russian protests in Dnepro-Petrovsk, Kherson, Odessa, Artemovsk, Konstantinovka, Krasniy Luch, Sverdlovsk, Stahanov, Popasnaya, Alchevsk, Gorlovsk, Zaporozhye, Severo-Donetsk, Nikolaev, Slavyansk, Kerch and Lugansk.

There are photos here, I posted the link earlier. You can see that these are not minor protests. They're massive, and in some cases relatively small towns end up with a very large percentage of the population on the streets. Of course if you put a red star for each of those protests, that map would start to look a little crowded. However it would also show you concentration of this protests activity.

Colonel Cassad -

Meanwhile the Ukrainian air force has organized some sort of CAP, a Su-27 with a large arsenal or missiles was seen taking off from the 831st Tactical Aviation Bde in Mirgorod.

http://bmpd.livejournal.com/763801.html

 

[StingrayOZ]

Can't believe how quickly the Russians have been able to pull this off, almost by stealth.
To have military units unable or unwilling to move, police and other forces seem to side in certain regions with the invading force.

And thats the thing its been done with troops and equipment. Not by referendum or politics. The russian army (or marines) turns up and you make a decision who you are supporting.

The question is how much will Russia take, just the Crimea (which lets be realistic they already have)? Or more, will local Russian populations push to be incorporated. Will they interfere with Ukraine entirely (politically etc)? Take the whole country (there seems to be a significant power vacuum, if not Russia then a pro Russian faction).

Obviously Poland and others will be very concerned. Russia used to be a lot further away, and there may be a significant number of refugees coming its way.

 

[Feanor]

Russian troops have captured more of the interiors of the Belbek military unit. So far the Ukrainians still have control of the administrative building, and the flag.

Meanwhile another video of the flight of 11 helicopters, flying across the Kerch strait to Crimea. Note these are the same helicopters as before. Just a different video.

Also the Kerch Naval Security Unit has been taken by Russian troops.

Ð”ÐµÐ½Ð¸Ñ ÐœÐ¾ÐºÑ€ÑƒÑˆÐ¸Ð½ - Ð¡Ð¸Ñ‚ÑƒÐ°Ñ†Ð¸Ñ Ð² Крыму

Russian troops stormed the Azov-Chernomorsk Administrative Building, and the Simferopol Border Guards unit. The doors have been torn off their hinges, and some of the equipment inside has been destroyed. The Ukrainian flag was lowered. The Border Guards barricaded some of the rooms, and still have control of the armory.

Also an unspecified Marine unit was blockaded by troops, and trucks.

http://sokol-ff.livejournal.com/731099.html

And here's a nice photo of a column of Russian troops in Crimea.

http://sokol-ff.livejournal.com/730812.html

And photos of the Coastal Defense unit blockaded by Russian troops.

http://sokol-ff.livejournal.com/730365.html

The government of Lugansk has just declared the executive government of Kiev illegitimate. They demand a referendum about the federative status of Ukraine, and an end to legal action against Ukrainian MVD workers following the recent events. Note that Lugansk is right next to Russia. Practically on the border. And their government building currently flies a Russian flag.

http://colonelcassad.livejournal.com/1448082.html

And Poland explained their troop movements with unplanned exercises.

http://military-informant.com/index.php/army/4802-1.html

As far as the mobilization goes, commentary seems to be that not only is there no mobilization, but the Military Commissariats in a lot of places aren't even open.

 

[Feanor]

Is this capturing done peacfully or there were fighting in the base?

They seem to be using lots, and lots of flashbangs to get the Ukrainians to give up ground. At least that's what has been reported so far. I'm guessing there's some pretty strict instructions to avoid using lethal force.

 

[ngatimozart]

Given that the current govt in Kiev may have some doubtful legal status was that Ukrainian Admiral right in refusing orders from Kiev? But he has undone any legal standing he may have had because he has sworn allegiance to a foreign power has he not? So if that is accepted then he has committed treason. The Ukrainian frigate that refused orders from Kiev may have been right considering the upheaval. However once it struck its colours and flew the Russian flag then the officers on board committed barratry*, the crew piracy and the whole crew including officers mutiny. If they had kept flying the Ukrainian flag then they may have had some grounds to stand a defence on. Just an old sailors view.

*Barratry is where the officers onboard a naval vessel commit the crime of mutiny.

 

[Feanor]

Given that the current govt in Kiev may have some doubtful legal status was that Ukrainian Admiral right in refusing orders from Kiev? But he has undone any legal standing he may have had because he has sworn allegiance to a foreign power has he not?

Well that depends. Is the Autonomous Republic of Crimea a foreign power? Because that who he's sworn allegiance to. Not Russia.

Remember even right now "the decision to move troops into Ukraine has not been made". The status of the "polite people" in Crimea is still that of "local self defense forces". It's cheap theater for formality's sake, but neither side is really willing to fully commit.

Note what happened at the 39th Training Unit. First Russian troops show up, go inside, load up the weapons (of the Ukrainians) into a Russian truck. Then the commander shows up and tells them he can't let them take the weapons. He doesn't make an effort to defend his country, or his base. He merely says that he can't let them take those weapons. AFTER they've already loaded them into a truck... the Russian officer in response says "come on, we have our orders, we're trying to be cool about this" ("мы с вами по нормальному"). The end of the story is that the commander agrees to let Russia take the weapons, but under condition that some Ukrainian soldiers go with them, to see what they do with them...

Russian troops take these weapons to a Ukrainian storage facility. Where they are placed into storage.

So if that is accepted then he has committed treason. The Ukrainian frigate that refused orders from Kiev may have been right considering the upheaval. However once it struck its colours and flew the Russian flag then the officers on board committed barratry*, the crew piracy and the whole crew including officers mutiny. If they had kept flying the Ukrainian flag then they may have had some grounds to stand a defence on. Just an old sailors view.

*Barratry is where the officers onboard a naval vessel commit the crime of mutiny.

It's not at all clear what's going on with the frigate. There have been many reports of them flying the Russian Naval Flag (Andreevskiy flag). But there have also been reports contradicting it. They might have raised it temporarily, then taken it down. Chances are if they show up, and are willing to follow orders from the new government, their "indiscretion" will be rapidly forgotten.

Actually so far most military unit in Crimea have taken a wait and see approach. A few have disarmed entirely, and a few have basically disbanded. But most seem to be sitting there, with limited control over their own facilities. At least one of the Coast Guard units has left, and went elsewhere, with apparently Russian permission.