The SBR mentioned the reasons for the loss of Crimea

The annexation of the peninsula by Russia in 2014 was facilitated by the undermining of the combat capability of the Ukrainian army, they decided in the RRB.

According to the results of the preliminary investigation, the State Investigations Office established the reasons and conditions that contributed to the collapse of the armed forces and the annexation of the Crimean peninsula, the RRF press service reported on Wednesday, 16 September.

Criminal actions to undermine the combat capability of the Ukrainian army reportedly began in 2012 and continued until the Russian invasion of Crimea in February 2014.

“Senior state officials from that period are suspected of committing high treason: President Viktor Yanukovych, Ukrainian Defense Ministers Dmitry Salamatin and Pavel Lebedev, as well as the Chief of the General Staff, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dmitry Salamatin, “the statement said.

Investigators identified five major crime episodes, which ultimately led to the occupation of the Crimean peninsula.

1. Criminal reduction of the Armed Forces

Despite the return to non-aligned status, it required an increase in the size of the army during 2012-2013. The maximum number of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was reduced from 240,000 to 162,000 soldiers.

2. Undermine preparedness for mobilization

In 2013, the regular number of military enlistment offices was reduced by half. As a result, the military units were only 25-55% complete. In addition, the “letter by letter” allocation of mobilization resources to military units was reduced and the military equipment registry was destroyed.

3. Destruction of the Crimean air defense systems

Control of the air defense system in Crimea was transferred to the command of the Ukrainian Navy on the peninsula, which then passed to the enemy’s side. In addition, one of the two brigades of the S-300V air defense system in service was reduced and modernization programs for the C-125 and C-200V air defense systems were halted.

4. Illegal organizational changes and leveling of strategic defense documents

Large-scale organizational changes of the Armed Forces of Ukraine made in 2013, which contradicted the legislation and were not included in the country’s strategic defense documents, prevented the Armed Forces of Ukraine from forming a strike group and protecting territorial integrity of Ukraine at the time of the implementation of one of the external aggression scenarios.

5. Failure to take action to respond to external threats

Despite numerous intelligence reports that clearly indicated the preparation of an offensive operation by the Russian Federation in late 2013 and early 2014. No steps were taken to bring the Armed Forces of Ukraine to the highest level of preparation for combat, organizing territorial defense and conducting large-scale military exercises on the territory of Crimea.

These actions in their entirety are connected and had serious consequences: the invasion of the Russian Federation into the territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, their subsequent occupation, violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

It is noted that the investigation of other events that led to the occupation of part of the territory of Ukraine in 2014 continues.

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