Ukrainian campaign slogan

American MQ-5B unmanned reconnaissance aircraft (data map)

Global Military Report On the morning of March 16, Global Times reporters did not feel nervous when they wandered around Simferopol for several hours to report the referendum. In addition to the slogan "With Russia" on both sides of the city streets, other slogans or leaflets related to the referendum are rare. Some placards have been splashed with paint, and the word "Russia" has been changed to "With Ukraine". Mike, who accompanied the reporter, said frankly: "Although the voting started at 8: 00, nothing can be seen at the voting point before 10, so it is better to go out later." However, Mike specially reminded this reporter to be "careful" when interviewing or taking photos at the polling place, because "the Ukrainian army lost some weapons, including submachine guns, and there are rumors among the people that there may be Ukrainian extremists who do not support Russia on polling day."

Apart from the possibility of "extremist sabotage", will the referendum result in a Russian-Ukrainian war? In this regard, whether it is the Duma MP who came from Moscow, Alexander who came back from voting in new york, or Mike who accompanied the reporter, they all said with confidence: "Impossible." They are very familiar with the rumors in the US and European media that "Russian and Ukrainian troops are digging trenches at the border". "Of course, we must guard against the destruction of the United States, such as sending a reconnaissance plane to Crimea." Mike specifically mentioned that Russia captured an MQ-5B unmanned reconnaissance plane of US troops stationed in Germany: "The drone was captured in Crimea. It is 7 meters long and can fly continuously for 22 hours at an altitude of 5500 meters. A week ago, the US military just announced that it would transport the 66th Brigade of the German-American Army, which is responsible for reconnaissance, to Poland and neighboring countries by C- 130 transport plane, and then the US military drone took off over Crimea. This cannot be said to be a conspiracy. " The Global Times reporter got a peace through special channels. The Crimean government intends to show the US military drones to the media in various countries in the near future, because the Pentagon of the United States called the Russian side "nonsense" on 15.

Near the Simferopol Railway Station where the Global Times reporter stayed, there is a residential community consisting of several three-story old buildings. If Mike didn't specify, it is impossible to know that this is the "family building" of the Ukrainian Army Command in Crimea. When Yuri Semenko, 49, introduced his one-bedroom apartment to reporters, he was embarrassed to say that his rank was Colonel: "I have served in military service for 23 years, and the Ukrainian government has given us nothing. I have to live in this room with my wife and my 2 1 year-old son, who is forced to sleep on the sofa. I hope that after becoming a part of Russia, we can at least live a dignified life. "

Colonel Yuri is Ukrainian, but he supports his son to vote to join the Russian Federation. Lieutenant Colonel Andrei, an active Ukrainian military officer who has served 15 years, also stood on the Russian side: "In addition to the housing allocation for officers who can never wait, if you want to be promoted, you have to pay bribes to superior officers. What is even more frightening is that only one conscript aged 18 is responsible for an ammunition depot of our army. Now, Russian special forces have taken over the ammunition depot of the Ukrainian army. At least I'm not worried about safety. "

Colonel Ivan Olinnik, 50, has just retired. The officer who served in the former Soviet Union and Ukraine for 22 years told reporters bitterly: "1984 I was on the waiting list for housing allocation, and I haven't got a house yet. Our husband and wife have low pensions, and even seeing a doctor is a problem. The house price is high and the son is not married. Unless I live to be 100 years old, I won't get a wife in my life. " All three Ukrainian troops admitted to the Global Times reporter that as soldiers, they should not say such negative words when facing foreign armed forces, but Colonel Ivan's feelings are very representative: "No one wants to fight for this country now! I know what you think, because when I first joined the army, I joined the Soviet Union. When I felt at that time, I defended a great country and a great people. But when it became Ukraine, I felt that I was just following orders and didn't think Ukraine was a country at all.