The Associated Press cites witnesses who say they've seen dozens of military trucks carrying armed soldiers arrive in Crimea as Russia reinforces its presence in the disputed Ukrainian peninsula. The Russians deny their armed forces are active in Crimea, but an Associated Press reporter trailed one military convoy on Saturday.
Members of the local Russian and Ukranian communities say they will work together to protest the situation. A rally calling for a peaceful solution to the Russian occupation is planned for 2:30-4 pm Sunday afternoon at Washington Square Park in Rochester.
One organizer, Volodymyr Pavlyuk of Rochester, says the rally is in solidarity with demonstrations around the U-S and the world. "To show that Russian people (are) against war, that Russian people support peace in the Ukraine and in the world, and we join those people."
Pavlyuk says the idea for the rally originated with some of his friends who are Russian-Americans.
"We want to show unity between Russians, Ukranians, Poland, and I believe, other nationalities will join us. We all want to live in peaceful world."
Pavlyuk hopes the situation in the Ukraine can be resolved diplomatically, without use of weapons.
But Pavlyuk says, when it comes to learning the truth about what’s occurring in the Ukraine, check your sources. "Because, a lot is not right - or I would even say - lies - on Russian news. I would please ask people to open internet and read some information from different sources, except Russian TV."
The strategic peninsula in southern Ukraine has become the flashpoint in the battle for Ukraine. A majority of people in Crimea identify with Russia, and Moscow's Black Sea Fleet is based there, as is Ukraine's.
