SIMFEROPOL, September 11. /TASS/. Russian border guards detained a drunken Ukrainian serviceman having crossed the border with Russia's new republic of Crimea to "fraternize" with his opposite numbers, the state security service FSB said on Friday.

Leaving his duty, crossing three Ukrainian roadblocks, flouting attempts to stop him and after being sent to hospital for examination, the soldier later explained that his exploit sought to follow footsteps of Ukrainian paratroopers who had already made the crossing with similar intentions.

Detained on Russian soil, the adventurer said he had been given no weaponry and that heavy alcohol abuse was rife among Ukrainian troops.

"Soldiers who have been mobilized fearing jail terms [up to five years] see no sense in their service and protect basements and dig holes," an FSB source said. "They do not see Russia as an enemy and are more and more convinced that Russian people are peaceful."

Three Ukrainian paratroopers were held by Russia’s border guards near a dam through Lake Sivash last week telling their captors they wanted to talk to Russian marines. They seek continued refuge in Russia until the issue of their return is resolved, aware of administrative penalties awaiting them.