A recording obtained by the Guardian exposes how Russian officers are leaning on Ukrainian marines to yield. One voice is identified as Igor Turchinyuk (IT), a Russian general. Others are unidentified Ukrainians (UU).

IT "The goal of me coming here … is to carry out the task given by the president of the Russian Federation." UU "What is this? Is it an invasion? Is it a forced peace operation?" IT "It was a request to Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin to offer help and bring troops in. (noting he has family roots in Ukraine) I want to talk as one officer to other officers."

UU "Am I a terrorist? Are we causing a threat to the Black Sea fleet of Russia?" IT "We have an order, which we are carrying out."

UU "We have always looked at Russia like an older brother. Do you not think your current behaviour will ruin not only our country but yours?"

IT "The international community trusted Russia to hold the Olympic Games. Not every country in the world is trusted with something like that."

At one point there is a request for anyone among the three dozen officers in the room who wants to follow the order to stand up, and from the subsequent dialogue it is apparent that nobody did.