8 March 2014.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_and_Ukraine

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the newly independent Ukraine had on its territory what was the third largest strategic nuclear weapons arsenal in the world. It was larger than those of Britain, France, and China combined. On June 1, 1996 Ukraine became a non-nuclear nation when it sent the last of its 1,900 strategic nuclear warheads to Russia for dismantling.[1] The first shipment of nuclear weapons from Ukraine to Russia (by train) was in March 1994.[2] In return for giving up its nuclear weapons, Ukraine, the United States of America, Russia, and the United Kingdom signed the 1994 Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances, pledging to respect Ukraine territorial integrity, a pledge that was arguably broken by Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea.[3]

Between March 1994 and June 1996, about 2,000 nuclear munitions of strategic weapon systems were removed from Ukraine to Russia for disassembly. In all, considering tactical weapons, about 5,000 nuclear munitions were moved to Russia in almost 100 trains. On June 2, 1996 Ukraine officially lost its nuclear status.

Note 3:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/condemnation-isnt-enough-for-russian-actions-in-crimea/2014/02/28/7b93b7c0-a09d-11e3-9ba6-800d1192d08b_story.html

As Mr. Obama noted, it would also be a blatant violation of Russia’s commitments, including the 1994 Budapest memorandum, in which Moscow pledged to the United States and Britain that it would respect Ukraine’s independence and borders in exchange for the removal of its nuclear weapons. It could create another chronic trouble spot in Europe — particularly as Crimea’s population includes a large minority of Ukrainian speakers as well as Crimean Tatars, a Muslim group that rejects Russian rule.

7 March 2014

Belbek Air Base Standoff

http://www.euronews.com/2014/03/04/stop-or-we-ll-shoot-standoff-at-ukraine-s-belbek-base/

March 3, 2014

Belbek airbase was the scene of a tense standoff in Crimea on Tuesday morning.

Around 200 unarmed Ukrainian soldiers confronted troops believed to be Russian, but with no identifying insignia, who were restricting access to the compound.

The armed troops warn them not to come closer or they will shoot.

The Ukrainian officer calls for calm whilst the armed troops respond saying it is a provocation.

He replies that the Ukrainians are unarmed and wish to enter the base to do their jobs.

After strained negotiations the two groups decided on a joint patrol of the area.

With many Ukrainian troops stationed inside the barracks, wives and relatives waited anxiously outside for news.

Adding to the surreal atmosphere, some Ukrainians began to play football under the watchful eyes of the occupying force, before heading to barracks a few kilometres away.