AP/PA
In light of the Ukraine crisis and fears of further land grabs from Russia, Britain should make a "military statement" to Vladimir Putin the former head of the British Army has said.
Lord Dannatt, who was head of the Army from 2006 to 2008, said the Government should reconsider its defence cuts following a "resurgent Russia" by retaining 3,000 soldiers in Germany.
"It is a poor time for the West to be 'weak in resolve and muscle,' he said, adding that that “greater military capability” must underpin diplomacy in such a crisis.
In a column in the Daily Telegraph he said recent crises in Syria and Ukraine meant the international landscape was more challenging than when the coalition Government came to the power in 2010.
He said: "Diplomacy and sanctions may be the right response for now to the Russian president, but he will look beyond those things to see where the real check on his actions might come from.
Warning that Crimea may be only part of the Russian president's plan, Lord Dannatt added that the Crimea takeover met Putin's “agenda and aspirations”, for now, and only time would tell whether that ambition stretched to eastern Ukraine.
The Government is cutting the regular Army from 102,000 to 82,000 by 2020, while the newly-renamed Army Reserve - formerly the Territorial Army - is being expanded from 19,000 to 30,000.
The changes include withdrawing all 20,000 troops from its Germany bases - ending the British Army's 70-year presence in the country.
Lord Dannatt added: "To remove further resources from defence would be sending exactly the wrong message at this time.
"On the contrary, there is a strong argument to recognise that the international landscape is more challenging than in 2010, and consider making a statement that greater military capability must underpin our diplomacy.
"The Defence Reform Bill, currently going through the House of Lords, provides an opportunity to make such a statement.
"An additional 3,000 regular soldiers would provide an extra deployable brigade - a useful increase in capability in itself, sending the signal that Britain takes its defence responsibilities seriously, not only on behalf of its citizens but on behalf of our EU and Nato allies, too.
"Were we to keep that additional brigade stationed in Germany, it would further underline our commitment to peace and security."
He also told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "If our defence capability is weak then at some point in the future we may find that we have wrong-footed ourselves.
"Many people think that 82,000 is too small a regular Army for the United Kingdom to have. I'm certainly one of those."
Russian and Ukraine Standoff
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(01 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops bearing the Ukrainian and regiment flags to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(02 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops bearing the Ukrainian and regiment flags to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(03 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Troops under Russian command fire weapons into the air and scream orders to turn back at an approaching group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(04 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Troops under Russian command scream orders to turn back after firing their wepaons into the air at an approaching group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(05 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: A soldier under Russian command warns anyone approaching further that he will shoot them in the legs after he and colleagues fired their weapons into the air and screamed orders to turn back at an approaching group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(06 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, and a colleague bearing the regiment flag, confront troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(07 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C-R), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, and a colleague bearing the regiment flag, confront troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(08 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (R), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, speaks to troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(09 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Troops under Russian command stand firmly after firing their weapons into the air and screaming orders to turn back at an approaching group of over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(10 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: A soldier under Russian command restrains a colleague after he fired his weapon into the air and screamed orders to turn back at an approaching group of over 100 unarmed Ukrainian troops at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(11 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops bearing their regiment and the Ukrainian flags march to confront soldiers under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at a garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(12 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops bearing their regiment and the Ukrainian flags march to confront soldiers under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at a garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(13 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbasespeaks with troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase after Mamchor led over 100 of his unarmed, Ukrainian soldiers to confront the occupiers at the airfield in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(14 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops listen to their commander speak before they marched to confront soldiers under Russian command occupying the nearby Belbek airfield in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(15 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor, commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, salutes before leading over 100 of his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(16 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (L), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, walks past armed soldiers as he returns after speaking with troops under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase after Mamchor led over 100 of his unarmed, Ukrainian soldiers to confront the occupiers at the airfield in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(17 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops bearing their regiment and the Ukrainian flags march to confront soldiers under Russian command occupying the Belbek airbase in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at a garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(18 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Unarmed Ukrainian troops rest on the Belbek airfield after they confronted soldiers under Russian command occupying the base in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(19 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor, commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, salutes before leading over 100 of his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(20 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Troops under Russian command jump down from a truck with orders to shoot to kill anyone who advances further after over 100 unarmed Ukrainian troops confronted them at the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(21 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (C), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops bearing the Ukrainian and regiment flags to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(22 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (L), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(23 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: A soldier (L) under Russian command watches as a group of ten Ukrainian troops pass to take positions in the airfield control after over 100 hundred unarmed Ukrainian troops marched up the Belbek airbase, which the Russian troops are occcupying, in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. The Ukrainians are stationed at their garrison nearby, and after spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, their commander Colonel Yuli Mamchor announced his bold plan this morning to retake the airfield by confronting the Russian-lead soldiers unarmed. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(24 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (L), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Concerns Grow In Ukraine Over Pro Russian Demonstrations In The Crimea Region(25 of25)
LUBIMOVKA, UKRAINE - MARCH 04: Colonel Yuli Mamchor (L), commander of the Ukrainian military garrison at the Belbek airbase, leads his unarmed troops to retake the Belbek airfield from soldiers under Russian command in Crimea on March 4, 2014 in Lubimovka, Ukraine. After spending a tense night anticipating a Russian attack following the expiration of a Russian deadline to surrender, in which family members of troops spent the night at the garrison gate in support of the soldiers, Mamchor announced his bold plan to his soldiers early this morning. The Russian-lead troops fired their weapons into the air but then granted Mamchor the beginning of negotiations with their commander. Russian-lead troops have blockaded a number of Ukrainian military bases across Crimea. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)