Crimea Standoff Continues as Ukraine's Armed Forces are Harassed by Russia's

Two hundred Ukrainian soldiers marched unarmed back to their airbase, on Tuesday, and requested to be allowed back on it to service the vehicles.

On Monday, they had been forced out, at gunpoint, by unmarked Russian forces, which have taken over most of Crimea. As they approached Belbak airbase, pro Russian militiamen fired into the air, in attempt to scare them off, but the unarmed Ukrainians did not run.

They tried negotiating with a Russian officer, but he would not allow them back onto their base, saying he needed permissions from his commanders. Unable to regain access to the airbase, the men eventually marched back to town, with plans to try again on Wednesday.

In Sevastopol, three Ukrainian ships spent the night harassed by Russian boats. The Russians blocked them from leaving the docks, shine lights at them, and blasted their horns. Ukrainian sailors lashed mattresses to their boats and readied water cannons to repel boarders.

Russian troops had warned of a deadline, Tuesday morning, by which time Ukrainian forces in Crimea were to surrender or be overwhelmed. However, that deadline came and went, leaving only the confrontations in it's wake.

Further complicating matters, former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych continued to call himself the only rightful leader of Ukraine. He asked for Russian troops to help him reclaim the country which was "taken from him in a coup".

Europe, the US, and other nations continue to demand that Russia withdraw from Crimea and end his threats to invade Ukraine. They are threatening Russia with economic sanctions and worsened diplomatic ties.

President Vladimir Putin denies that his troops are currently in Crimea. He states that all sixteen thousand of them are simply militias, despite their driving Russian equipment and being too well armed and equipped to militias. Putin says he is not planning an invasion, but only seeking to protect Russians who live in Ukraine.

North Korea Fires Artillery During US and South Korea War Games

For the third time in six days, North Korea fired projectiles into the sea.

This time it was seven artillery rounds, from medium to long range artillery.

Whereas, both previous times had been mid range scud missiles.

As before, nothing was harmed by the rounds, which splashed down near nothing.

The incidents occur during naval based practices between the US and South Korea, which the North protests.

Against the Backdrop of Unrest: Ukraine – Photo Gallery

Located in southeast Europe, Ukraine has mountainous areas which include the Carpathians in the southwest and the Crimean chain in the south.

The country is bordered by Belarus on the north, Russia on the north and east, the Black Sea on the south, Moldova and Romania on the southwest and Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland on the west. 

Encompassing 233,089 square miles, Ukraine's population is approximately 44,854,06. It's capital is Kiev and home to 3,648,000 people in the metro area and 2,797,553 in the city proper.

Most citizens speak Ukrainian, but 24% speak Russian with the remainder speaking Romanian, Polish or Hungarian as their first language.

I’ve compiled a collection of photos showcasing the country. Enjoy!

View the Photos

USMC: Lance Corporal Caleb L. Erickson

Lance Corporal Caleb L. Erickson, twenty of Waseca, Minnesota, died on February 28.

He was killed in combat in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Erickson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.