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Russian security services return to Ukraine's Crimea

© RIA Novosti . Vasiliy Batanov / Go to the mediabankRussian security services return to Ukraine's Crimea
Russian security services return to Ukraine's Crimea - Sputnik International
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The first group of officers from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) have resumed operations at Russia's Black Sea Fleet naval base in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol, a city administration source said on Monday

The first group of officers from Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) have resumed operations at Russia's Black Sea Fleet naval base in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol, a city administration source said on Monday.

"Russian counterintelligence officers, in conjunction with their Ukrainian colleagues, will work to counter terrorism and extremism, and ensure the protection of secret information," the source said, adding that lists of FSB officers were being drawn up for approval by the Ukrainian side.

Ukrainian special services say they have not blacklisted any members of the FSB.

FSB officers were formerly stationed at the naval base but were ordered to leave in late 2009 by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko amid poor relations between the two countries.

On May 19, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement to return FSB officers to the Black Sea Fleet facilities in Ukraine.

The victory of "pro-Russian" Viktor Yanukovych in Ukrainian presidential elections in February has led to dramatic improvements in bilateral ties.

Yushchenko pledged to force the Russian fleet to leave Crimea when its lease expired in 2017. Under a deal finalized last month, Yanukovych agreed to prolong the lease for 25 years in exchange for a 30% discount on Russian gas.

SEVASTOPOL, May 31 (RIA Novosti)

 

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