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Ukraine Navy Chief Surrenders to Russians, Charged With Treason

<p>Ukraine launched a treason case on Sunday against the head of the navy, who surrendered his headquarters on Sunday in the Crimean port of Sevastopol — on only his second day on the job.</p>
Image: Ukranian navy in Sevastopol port
Ukrainian navy crew members stand on deck of the Ukrainian Navy's ship 'Slavutich' in the port of Sevastopol, Crimea, Ukraine, on March 2, 2014.MAXIM SHIPENKOV / EPA
Image: Still image taken from video shows Ukrainian navy chief Berezovsky swearing allegiance to the pro-Russian regional leaders of Crimea in Sevastopol
Ukrainian navy chief Denis Berezovsky swears allegiance to the pro-Russian regional leaders of Crimea in Sevastopol on March 2, 2014 in this still image taken from video.Reuters TV

Ukraine launched a treason case on Sunday against the head of the navy, who surrendered his headquarters on Sunday in the Crimean port of Sevastopol — on only his second day on the job.

Denis Berezovsky was earlier shown on Russian television swearing allegiance to the pro-Russian regional leaders of Crimea. Russian forces have seized the Black Sea peninsula and told Ukrainian forces there to give up their weapons.

"During the blockade by Russian forces of the central headquarters of the navy, he declined to offer resistance and laid down his weapons," said Viktoria Syumar, deputy secretary of Ukraine's Security Council.

"The prosecutor's office has opened a criminal case against Denis Berezovsky under statute 111: state treason," she said. Another admiral, Serhiy Hayduk, was placed in charge of the navy.

Map of Ukraine
Map of Ukraine with the Crimea region highlightedLonely Planet / Lonely Planet Images
— Reuters