Professional actions by Russian military saved Crimea from bloodshed - Putin
28 March 2014, 14:42 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the events in Crimea have demonstrated a high level of readiness of the Russian Armed Forces and he thanked the military service members stationed in the peninsula for their stamina and professionalism. 'The recent events in Crimea were a serious test. They demonstrated both the completely new capabilities of our Armed Forces and the high morale of the personnel,' the president said at a ceremony introducing the top officers on the occasion of new appointments and rank awarding.
The president thanked 'the command and service members of the Black Sea Fleet, other units and formations based in Crimea, for their stamina and personal courage.'
The supreme commander-in-chief praised 'the clear and professional actions' of the Russian servicemen which 'allowed [them] to avoid provocations and prevent bloodshed and ensure conditions for a peaceful and free referendum.'
'Serious work must be done to modernize the military structure in Crimea,' Putin said.
'We need to complete the formation of police, emergency and penitentiary, as well as security, investigative and drug-control agencies in the new constituent regions of the Federation,' Putin said.
There is also a need to swiftly implement the decisions to re-open the Black Sea Higher Naval School named after Nakhimov and to create a presidential cadet school in Sevastopol, he said.
Russia must capitalize on experience of former Ukrainian soldiers, law-enforcers - Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged that the most be made of the experience of Ukrainian army and law-enforcement professionals who have decided to serve Russia and demanded respect for those who chose to return to Ukraine.
'We need to make the most use of the professionals who served in the Ukrainian bases in Crimea, who worked in law-enforcement and other special agencies and were fulfilling their duty with dignity, and made a personal decision to serve Russia,' the president said at a ceremony introducing to him top officers on the occasion of new appointments and the awarding of ranks.
'They will retain their military ranks and service record and have their school diplomas recognized,' Putin said.
'The pay and social status (of these military servicemen) will be brought in line with the Russian legislation,' the president said. 'Currently, our (military) pay is about four times that of Ukraine,' he recalled.
'Over the next few days the Russian government will make relevant decisions on all the matters concerning military pensions, allowances and salary payouts,' the head of state said.
'We respect the choice of those Ukrainian service members and other law enforcement officers who are returning to Ukraine,' Putin said.
'Attitudes towards them and their families must be extremely correct, as required by the traditions of military honor,' said the Supreme Commander-in-Chief.
Putin orders to return military equipment of Crimea-based Ukrainian units not sided with Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday ordered the transfer to Ukraine arms and military equipment from those Crimean units that did not join Russia.
The defense minister told the president during a meeting with top officers that 'the organized withdrawal of the units of the Ukrainian army which have expressed a wish to continue serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been completed.'
'The state symbols have been replaced on all ships and in all units that have taken the side of the Russian army. No acts of desecration and disrespectful treatment of Ukrainian state symbols have taken place,' the minister said.
The defense minister asked the president to permit the start of the transfer of weapons and military equipment to Ukraine. Responding to the president's question, he said this includes 'ships and aviation.'
'I agree, fulfill this order,' Putin said.
Next stage of Russian Army development should include Arctic group - Putin
Next stage of the Russian Armed Forces training should include developing a combat group in the Arctic region, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
'Next is the further development of the combat personnel of our armed forces, including in the Arctic region,' Putin said on Friday at a ceremony introducing the top officers on the occasion of new appointments and awarding of ranks.
Following the implementation of the 2013 state defense procurement, army and fleet equipment with modern arms and military equipment has improved, the president said.
'At the same time, the intensity and quality of forces' training have increased. The results of unscheduled inspections, including the one recently held in the Western and Central military districts, confirm this,' Putin said.
'A total of over 3,000 drills of different levels were held last year,' Putin said. 'Another strategic drill, East 2014 - with the drilling of multiservice tactical groups and with the participation of other law enforcement structures - will be conducted this fall,' Putin said.
Voice of Russia, Interfax
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