Russian citizens attend rally in Simferopol on Feb. 26, 2014

A rally in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which took place outside the building of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea (ARC) on February 26, 2014, was attended by representatives of the Kuban Cossacks, and pro-Russian activists who spoke with separatist demands were regular Russian militaries, ARC Prosecutor Gunduz Mamedov has said.

“A quite important fact is that pro-Russian activists standing with the slogans of separating the peninsula from Ukraine were disguised military regular troops of the Russian Federation, who later actively participated in the seizure of airports, administrative buildings and military units. The Kuban Cossacks were also present during a peaceful rally for the territorial integrity of Ukraine. Both categories of people have nothing to do with the will of the population of the peninsula,” Mamedov said.

A report posted on the official website of the Crimean Prosecutor’s Office notes that the main directorate of the National Police in the ARC and Sevastopol carries out pre-trial investigation in criminal proceedings due to illegal obstruction by representatives of pro-Russian organizations of holding rallies in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, using physical violence and beating citizens on February 26, 2014, as well as improper performance of official duties by law enforcement officers. The Prosecutor’s Office of the ARC carries out procedural management in this matter.

Three law enforcement officials have currently been notified of suspicion under Part 2, Article 367 (official negligence) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and placed on the wanted list.

“The investigation found that their negligent attitude towards the performance of official duties on ensuring the protection of public order during the rally led to clashes between the parties, resulting in 16 people injured and two people killed,” the report says.

According to Mamedov, by now, it has been possible to establish the events that took place on February 26, 2014, as well as all injured persons, law enforcement officers and their leaders, who were supposed to ensure the organization and protection of public order.

In addition, it was established that the former prime minister of the ARC and now the self-proclaimed head of the Council of Ministers of the occupied Crimea, Sergei Aksionov, constantly received phone calls from subscribers from Russia on that day.