Ukraine's acting President dismisses Chief of General Staff

Acting President of Ukraine Alexander Turchynov dismissed Yuri Ilyin from the post of the Chief of General Staff of Ukraine, the press office of the interim head of state reports. The reason for the dismissal was not specified.

Ilyin was appointed the head of the General Staff on February 19, succeeding Vladimir Zaman on the post. Zaman's refusal to involve the army to disperse protesters was called a reason for the decision. Ilyin allegedly began preparing the operation.

On February 27, Yuri Ilyin arrived in the Crimea, where he held talks with the mayor elected by the people of Sevastopol, Alexey Chaly. According to news reports, Ilyin was hospitalized with a heart attack after the talks.