Armed Men Without Insignia Seize Crimean Parliament in Pre-Dawn Operation
Professional gunmen in military uniform but without identifying insignia take control of Crimean government buildings and raise Russian flags
Military Action in Crimea
Armed men in military uniforms without identifying insignia have seized control of the Crimean parliament building and Council of Ministers in Simferopol in a coordinated pre-dawn operation.
Pre-Dawn Seizure of Government Buildings
SIMFEROPOL, Crimea - February 27, 2014 - At approximately 4:20 AM local time, around 60 heavily armed men in professional military gear but lacking any identifying insignia took control of Crimea’s parliament building and the Council of Ministers building in the regional capital.
The armed men, described by witnesses as highly trained professionals, moved with military precision to secure the buildings and immediately raised Russian flags over both government facilities.
The Operation
Operation Details
Two groups of 10-15 armed men each entered the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) building of Crimea, taking complete control of the facility. The gunmen cut all communications from the building and confiscated mobile phones from anyone entering the premises.
The operation appeared coordinated with the simultaneous seizure of other strategic locations across the peninsula, including military installations and communication centers.
Parliamentary Session Under Armed Guard
Despite the occupation, the Crimean parliament convened for an emergency session with the armed men maintaining control of the building. Under these highly irregular circumstances, the parliament:
- Dismissed the existing Crimean government led by Prime Minister Anatolii Mohyliov
- Installed Sergey Aksyonov as the new prime minister
- Called for a referendum on Crimea’s status within Ukraine
Irregular Proceedings
No independent journalists were allowed inside the building during the votes, and all communications were cut off. MPs’ phones were confiscated upon entry.
Identity of the Armed Men
The gunmen displayed several concerning characteristics:
- Professional military bearing and movement
- High-quality Russian military equipment and weapons
- Coordinated tactical operations
- Complete absence of identifying insignia or unit markings
- Russian combat fatigues and gear
Local residents and Ukrainian officials immediately suspected the involvement of Russian special forces, though Moscow initially denied any connection to the operation.
International Response
Ukraine: Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov called the action an “armed invasion” and accused Russia of violating Ukrainian sovereignty.
European Union: EU officials expressed serious concern about the developments and called for respect for Ukrainian territorial integrity.
United States: The State Department condemned the apparent intervention and called for immediate withdrawal of foreign forces.
Russia: Initially denied any involvement, with officials claiming the armed men were “local self-defense forces.”
Strategic Implications
The seizure of Crimean government buildings represents a significant escalation in the post-Yanukovych crisis, extending the conflict beyond mainland Ukraine to the strategically crucial Crimean Peninsula.
This is a clear occupation of our homeland. These are not local people - they are professional soldiers following orders from outside.
Crimea holds particular strategic importance due to:
- Sevastopol Naval Base: Home to Russia’s Black Sea Fleet
- Geographic position: Controlling access to the Black Sea
- Ethnic composition: Significant Russian-speaking population
- Economic value: Tourism and agricultural resources
Local Reactions
The operation generated mixed reactions among Crimea’s diverse population:
Russian-speaking residents: Some expressed support for closer ties with Russia, particularly in Sevastopol.
Crimean Tatars: The indigenous population strongly opposed the action, viewing it as an occupation of their homeland.
Ukrainian citizens: Many ethnic Ukrainians denounced the seizure as illegal and called for restoration of legitimate government.
Government Response
The new Ukrainian government in Kyiv found itself facing its first major crisis as it struggled to respond to the loss of control over an entire region. Options appeared limited given the professional nature of the operation and apparent Russian backing.
Ukrainian military forces in Crimea received conflicting orders and found themselves surrounded or blocked from their bases by the mysterious armed men.
Questions of Legitimacy
The parliamentary session conducted under armed occupation raised serious questions about the legitimacy of any decisions made:
- Coercion: Votes taken under threat of armed force
- Transparency: Exclusion of media and outside observers
- Procedure: Violation of normal parliamentary procedures
- Representation: Uncertain whether all MPs could freely participate
Later Admissions
Russian President Vladimir Putin would later admit in April 2014 that the armed men were indeed Russian soldiers, contradicting earlier denials.
Wider Context
The Crimean operation occurred just five days after President Yanukovych’s flight from Ukraine, suggesting pre-planned contingencies for protecting Russian interests in the region.
The swift and professional nature of the operation indicated significant advance planning and coordination, casting doubt on claims that it represented a spontaneous local response to events in Kyiv.
The seizure of Crimean government buildings marked the beginning of what would become a rapid process leading to the peninsula’s annexation by Russia, fundamentally altering the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe and setting a precedent for territorial changes through military intervention.