Ukrainian coast guard vessels were reportedly deployed on battle alert March 1 after armed men attempted to seize a coast guard unit in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, the deputy head of Ukraine's State Border Service said, Kiev's 5 Kanal TV reported. The attempted seizure was conducted by a column of around 300 armed men wearing full combat gear arriving in around 10 cars. A senior member of this group said he had an order from the Russian defense minister to occupy the marine unit.