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.

Colorado Police Looking For Man Who Shot Loveland Officer

Colorado police are looking for a man who shot a Loveland officer.

Officer Garret Osilka was shot while trying to pull over a blue Jeep Cherokee, Sunday night near 17th Street and North Wilson Avenue.

He returned fire, striking the suspect, but the man was still able to drive away.

Other police officers found the Jeep abandoned near Aspen Drive and Taft Avenue, early Monday morning.

The area was locked down, with residents told to stay in their homes, while police searched for the suspect, but he was not found.

Hospitals are on the lookout for anyone seeking treatment for a gun shot wound.

At this time, no description of the suspect has been released.

Osilka is in the intensive care unit, but is expected to recover.

Ukraine's Troops Given Deadline by Russia

Putin

Ukrainian troops besieged in Crimea announced that they were told by Russian troops to surrender by dawn Tuesday. If they do not surrender, they were promised with death.

One Ukrainian base was attacked with flash bang grenades, which injured an officer. Ukrainian troops responded with warning shots fired into the air.

At least six thousand Russian troops have already invaded the Crimea, with armor buildups visible just on the other side of the border. The Russian Grand Assembly gave Putin permission to sent troops in "to protect Russians" inside of Ukraine.

In response, Ukraine has mobilized it's entire military, including the reserves. However all troops are under orders not to shoot unless fired upon. Ukraine is making sure that they can not be blamed for starting a war.

Internationally, the US, EU, and other countries have warned Russia to pull out of Crimea or face economic and diplomatic fall out. However, no one has promised to aid Ukraine in defending itself, if it is invaded by Russia.

11 Killed by Suicide Bombers in Islamabad

Two suicide bombers attacked a district court complex, in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday morning.

According to witnesses, they walked into the complex throwing grenades and began shooting.

Their attack lasted about forty-five minutes until they ran out of ammunition and then blew themselves up.

Eleven people were killed and twenty-five more were injured, in the attack.

The attack comes just the day after Pakistan's government agreed to a cease fire which had been offered by the Taliban.

A spokesman for the Taliban was quick to deny the attack, and it was later claimed by the Ahrar ul Hind terrorist group.

Ahrar ul Hind's spokesman stated that they will continue the attacks until full sharia law rules over all of Pakistan.

Ukraine Mobilizes Troops in Case of Invasion by Russia

Ukraine called up it's army reserves, on Sunday, and prepared to fight off a Russian invasion.

Troops in unmarked uniforms, but clearly with Russian equipment, have seized control of most of the Crimea, from Ukraine.

Ukrainian troops have been besieged, on their own bases, by around six thousands of these troops.

Russia has threatened to invade eastern Ukraine, though they claim that it would be to "protect Russians" in the country.

Their national press has issued reported of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians rushing to the border seeking "their protection", however pictures from the border show it to be all but deserted.

One hundred and fifty thousand Russian troops are conducting "war games" not far to the east of the border, but have not shown any attempts to cross.

Matters have not been helped, as pro Russian protests have sprung up in some cities, such as Kharkiv, which lies near the border.

Ukrainians blame the Russians for causing the protests, which had mostly had not existed until the unmarked troops began spreading from near Russian rented bases in Crimea.

Meanwhile, the western world has warned Russia to back off and not escalate matters.

The US has threatened to impose sanctions if Russia continues down this path, but it is unclear if the EU would even respond with similar measures.

None of the western countries are even considering any kind of military response to a Russian invasion of Ukraine, and therefore not giving Russia any real reason not to continue.

Ukraine is not an official member of NATO, so an invasion would not require NATO to come to it's aid, however Ukrainian troops have aided NATO in the past.

Haredim Protest in Jerusalem Against Draft Bill

An estimated three hundred thousand Haredim took part in a mass protest in Jerusalem, on Sunday afternoon.

The Ultra Orthodox Jews were protesting government plans to draft them into the military.

Israel has mandatory service for most Israelis, though Orthodox Jews had been previously exempt.

However, a bill before Israel's parliament would allow for a few thousand to be drafted, though not all of them, unless a quota of five thousand isn't met by 2017.

Secular Israeli's support the bill as they see the exemptions as unfair.

Many Ultra Orthodox Jews feel that their beliefs keep them from serving in the military.

North Korea Launches 2 More Missiles

For the second time in four days, North Korea made a missile launch.

As they did on Thursday, the North launched missiles into the Sea of Japan, as part of "tests".

The two short range missiles struck nothing as they harmlessly hit the middle of the sea.

The launches came while South Korea and the US hold joint military exercises, something North Korea always decries occurring.