SIMFEROPOL, April 2 (RIA Novosti) - Nearly 800 of the 3,000 Ukrainian servicemen remaining in Crimea after the region's reunification with Russia have left for Ukraine, a local government source said on Wednesday.
"Out of 18,000 Ukrainian troops stationed in Crimea, 3,000 said they wished to continue service with the Ukrainian armed forces. Around 800 of them have departed for Ukraine," the source said.
The troops are departing by buses from various areas in the Black Sea peninsula. "Military equipment will be transported to Ukraine by railways, under an agreement with the Russian Defense Ministry.
Crimea, previously an autonomous republic within Ukraine, refused to recognize the legitimacy of the government in Kiev which seized power as a result of a coup and joined Russia following a referendum.
Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said those soldiers wishing to continue their service with the Ukrainian armed forces were free to leave Crimea and would receive the required assistance to do so.
