Moscow, March 12 (IANS): Russia has opened a criminal case against Ukrainian Prosecutor General Office in response to Kiev's earlier decision to start prosecution of the Russian Black Sea Fleet's commander, the Russian Investigative Committee (IC) said Wednesday.

On March 6, Ukraine announced its decision to open a criminal case against the Black Sea Fleet Commander-in-Chief, Vice-Admiral Alexander Vitko, for his alleged acts of "incitement of high treason and sabotage".

Russia believes the criminal case opened by Ukraine was aimed at destabilising the situation in Crimea where the Black Sea Fleet is based.

IC spokesman Vladimir Markin said the Ukrainian officials responsible for the decision would be prosecuted in line with Russian and international laws, Xinhua reported.

Also, the Russian defence ministry called Ukraine's decision against Vitko "a provocation".

"The attempt of the illegitimate authorities in Kiev to start criminal procedures against the Russian admiral is another provocation of those who themselves have violated Ukraine's laws and seized power in the country," Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov told reporters.

He said such actions of the Ukrainian authorities might destabilise the situation in Crimea which he described as "the calmest and most stable region" of that country.

Vitko acted in strict compliance with the Russia-Ukraine agreements about using Ukrainian port facilities by the fleet and with the Russian Armed Forces Charter, he said.

According to Antonov, the admiral has been taking necessary measures to protect the fleet's facilities, its personnel and family members against ultra-nationalist threats.

Crimea, a Ukrainian autonomous republic, is set to hold a referendum March 16 over whether it should join Russia.