Ukraine dismisses defence minister over Crimea crisis

Ukraine’s parliament sacked its besieged defence minister yesterday after his forces began a humiliating withdrawal from Crimea without firing a shot against Russian forces who claimed the Black Sea peninsula.

Crimea’s effective loss — though recognised by no Western power — has dealt a heavy psychological blow to many Ukrainians who have already spent the past years mired in corruption and economic malaise.

Ukraine’s ground commanders in Crimea had complained bitterly of confusion among the top brass in Kiev since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision on March 1 to seek the right to use force against his neighbour in response to last month’s fall in Kiev of a pro-Kremlin regime.