2014 in Retrospective: Russia's seizure of the Crimea

摘要

The major naval event in 2014 was Russia's seizure of the Crimean peninsula from the Ukraine through a military operation that was as efficient as it was ruthless. The initial stages of the operation saw Russia's existing military presence on the peninsula - the home of its own Black Sea Fleet -reinforced both by sea and air. At the same time, Ukrainian naval forces were blockaded in their bases in a series of moves that included the scuttling of the decommissioned Soviet-era Project 1134B Kara class cruiser Ochakov as a blockship. Resistance to Russia's actions was negated by divided loyalties among Ukrainian forces, with many of its sailors being of Russian ethnicity. This was highlighted by the newly-appointed commander of the Ukrainian fleet effectively switching sides in early March.