Ukrainian troops begin special operation in Slavyansk - reports

The Ukrainian army has reportedly begun a special operation against pro-autonomy activists in the eastern town of Slavyansk early Friday morning, as air raid sirens went off and gunfire was heard.

Slovyank self-defense forces told RIA Novosti that the Ukrainian military has attacked several positions.

“The attack is targeting a few roadblocks at the same time. A few armored vehicles and airborne combat vehicles arrived and airborne troops descended from the helicopters and attacked the roadblocks. Some forces were dropped off around the train station, where we didn’t have anyone,” RIA Novosti quoted the press secretary of the Slavyansk self-defense units as saying.

Crimea War: Putin's popularity reaching incredible heights

Russian President Vladmir Putin has despite (or perhaps due to) the situation in Crimea and Ukraine, been enjoying a three-year high in his approval ratings.

On Wednesday, the independent Levada Center released their latest numbers for Putin, and they show that his popularity is growing even more. 

Crimea Latest: US, EU Sanctions won't stop Putin - McCain

US Senator John McCain insisted on Tuesday that the sanctions the by the United States and the European Unions on Russia are not going to deter aggression from Moscow.  “They're not going to do it,” he said on radio show “Imus in the Morning," hosted by Don Imus.

Senator McCain affirmed that Europe can reasonably punish Russia  because of its dependence on Russian oil.

BREAKING NEWS: Russia to publish its own list of sanctions against US officials

Russia to publish its own list of sanctions against US officials just as the Russian Parliament endorsed the drafted resolution for Crimea peninsula to become part of Russia federation.




Details later...

Crimea Latest: Russia commences the issuing national passports for Crimeans – Migration Service

The first passports have been handed out to the new Russian citizens in Crimea on Wednesday, the head of the Federal Migration Service said.

The treaty of Crimea's accession to Russia "was signed yesterday… And all, who appealed to the Federal Migration Service in the Crimea, will receive their passports. This work has started. Some of the passports were issued today,” said Konstantin Romodanovskiy, the head of the Federal Migration Service, as cited by Itar-Tass news agency.

Meanwhile, funds from the Russian budget will be used to help Crimea solve and Sevastopol solve its economic problems, country’s finance minister, Anton Siluanov, announced.

"The total deficit on the budget of Sevastopol and Crimea in 2014 is 55 billion roubles (around $1.5 billion),” Siluanov is cited by RIA-Novosti news agency.

The minister specially stressed that the National Welfare Fund won’t be affected as the money for the Crimea will be taken from the unallocated reserve of the Russian budget.

DETAILS TO FOLLOW

RT

Breaking: Russia does not want a break-up of Ukraine, Putin tells parliament

Putin says Russia does not want break-up of Ukraine

Voting has commence on Crimea referendum; see the options !

Referendum options:



1. Are you in favour of the reunification of Crimea with Russia as a part of the Russian Federation?


2. Are you in favour of restoring the 1992 Constitution and the status of Crimea as a part of Ukraine?


Returning to the 1992 constitution would give Crimea's government sweeping powers to make its own laws and control its own governance, while technically remaining part of Ukraine.


It has been seen as a step towards Crimea's total independence.

Crimea referendum to join Russia

Crimea votes Sunday in a referendum to break away and join Russia.


International community has described the process as illegitimate.


Here are some relevant information about the vote:


99 percent of the polling stations for Sunday's vote are ready. Polls are open from 8am-8pm local time (06 GMT- 18 GMT)

Like Bakassi Peninsular Like Crimea Peninsular: Obasanjo Is A Coward - Fani-kayode

                 BETWEEN OBASANJO, PUTIN AND MARGARET THATCHER

The Nigerian Former Minister of Aviation, Culture and Tourism, who served during the regime of President Obasanjo, has again liking the Crimea crisis and Folkland Island dispute with the Bakassi Peninsula which Nigerian under president Olusengun Obasanjo had handed over the neighbouring country, Cameroon.

According to the former minister  "If President Olusegun Obasanjo had displayed just half the courage, firm resolve and strong determination over the Bakassi matter as President Vladimer Putin did over the Crimean crisis and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher did over the Falkland Islands dispute, the Bakassi Peninsular and all it's people would still have been part and parcel of Nigeria today.