He delivered to Ukrainian troops an ultimatum to surrender before 5:00 am on March 4, threatening to storm the offices and units of the armed forces of Ukraine in the Crimea.

The next day, he was prosecuted by the general prosecutor of Ukraine on charges of incitement to treason and sabotage against the organization of the Ukrainian troops.

He would be included amongst the individuals who were targeted with asset freezes, travel bans, and sanctions by the European Union and the United States.

[6][7] On June 26, 2018, it was announced that Vitko was replaced by Vice-Admiral Alexander Moiseev and assigned "a new place of military service in the Navy High Command.

[8][9] In March 2014 the EU enacted sanctions against Aleksandr Vitko in relation to the violation of Ukrainian sovereign territory.