26 Disquieting Photos Of Armed Russians Still Surrounding Ukrainian Soldiers In Crimea

Russia claims that the troops have taken over Ukraine's Crimea peninsula are "self-defense forces created by the inhabitants of Crimea, we have no authority over them."

But an increasing number of Russian soldiers are riding in on Russian armored vehicles into the strategic Black Sea peninsula.

For more than a week Russian troops wearing uniforms without insignia have been commandeering Ukrainian military facilities and urging besieged Ukrainian soldiers to defect.

The Russians tightened their grip on Sunday, sealing off a military airport on Crimea's west coast and capturing a nearby Ukrainian border post with 15 personnel inside. On Monday, they took over a military hospital and a missile base.

Russian forces now controls 11 border guard posts across Crimea, and have issued several ultimatums for the Ukrainians in bases to surrender or be stormed.

The demands have passed without serious incident, but the Ukrainians are still blocked in.

Here are some disquieting scenes from the occupation:

There are about 20,000 Russian soldiers in Crimea.

Hiding in plain sight.

The two sides converse and trade cigarettes.

But that's all part of the siege.

The Ukrainians are treated as 'occupiers' and hostages in their own bases. 

 "They are putting psychological pressure on us," Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Lomaka told Reuters from a military base on the coast of western Crimea. "We have no fight with them, but we are not going to hand over our weapons to soldiers of the Russian Federation," Lt. Col. Alexander Lomaka said.

Russia has deliberately sunk three of its own ships to block Ukraine's navy.

Ukrainian sailors, completely blocked in, are smuggling food onto their warships ships.

And waiting the superior fleet of Russia to make its next move.

Russian troops roam outside all key military installations.

And pro-Russian "self-defense forces" are mobilizing within the peninsula.

Here are some of the scenes from last week:

Ukrainian soldiers watched as a Russian soldiers surrounded them.

Belbek airport was especially tense. Here's a Russian soldier looking through the sights of his weapon.The vehicles and weaponry on the Russian side are substantial.

The Ukrainian soldiers at Balbek marched in defiance of the siege.Soldiers under Russian command watched them as the unarmed soldiers marched, aiming a rocket-propelled grenade launcher.When they got closer, the soldiers shouted and warning shots were fired in the air.Another soldier restrained his colleague after he fired his weapon into the air.Here a Russian serviceman is seen behind pro-Russian "self-defense forces" at Belbek.Russian forces are also blockading Ukrainian ships. Ukrainian sailors, who have been blocked in their own dock for six days, have to get shipments of food.And there's a Russian tank blocking the a road near the small Ukrainian city of Armyansk, which connects Crimea with the rest of Ukraine.

The Russians continue waiting, watching, trying to convince Ukrainian soldiers to give up their arms and pledge allegiance to local pro-Kremlin authorities.While the besieged Ukrainian soldiers wait at their posts, surrounded.

SEE ALSO: UN Envoy Stuck In Coffee Shop After Being Threatened By Armed Men In Crimea

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