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| Crimeans begin voting on Russia referendum | Crimeans begin voting on Russia referendum |
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| SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine — Crimeans started voting on their future Sunday after a hasty and one-sided campaign featuring intimidation and heavy-handed tactics that blocked most voters from hearing a vision for any alternative other than unification with Russia. | SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine — Crimeans started voting on their future Sunday after a hasty and one-sided campaign featuring intimidation and heavy-handed tactics that blocked most voters from hearing a vision for any alternative other than unification with Russia. |
| The peninsula’s two main cities, Simferopol and Sevastopol, look as if annexation had already been decided and accomplished, with Russian flags flying from government buildings, storefronts, trollies and public squares. | The peninsula’s two main cities, Simferopol and Sevastopol, look as if annexation had already been decided and accomplished, with Russian flags flying from government buildings, storefronts, trollies and public squares. |
| Public opinion polls and politicians who say they are sensing the mood of the street expect the results to be overwhelmingly in favor of leaving Ukraine and joining Russia. Many opponents of the move will not be voting, however. Crimean Tatar leaders have urged their people to boycott, and many ethnic Ukrainians say they will stay away, too. | Public opinion polls and politicians who say they are sensing the mood of the street expect the results to be overwhelmingly in favor of leaving Ukraine and joining Russia. Many opponents of the move will not be voting, however. Crimean Tatar leaders have urged their people to boycott, and many ethnic Ukrainians say they will stay away, too. |
| In the center of Sevastopol, people began gathering in the city’s main square anticipating that by day’s end they will be one step closer to Russia -- what many here call “going home.” | |
| Young men walked around wrapped in the Russian flag, as if it were a shawl around their shoulders. Children carried balloons in the shades of the Russian flag’s red, white and blue. A large banner was hung from a building in Nakhimov Square declaring, “Russia is where we are.” Speakers atop light poles loudly played a recording of a song whose lyrics include, “Moscow, the bells are ringing. Moscow, golden domes.” | |
| Among the first to vote at School 3 in an elegant neighborhood in Sevastopol were Alla and Adolf Malerov, two pensioners who have been married for 52 years. Both said they voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. | Among the first to vote at School 3 in an elegant neighborhood in Sevastopol were Alla and Adolf Malerov, two pensioners who have been married for 52 years. Both said they voted to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. |
| “We are so tired of all the reforms,” said Adolph Malerov, 76, a retired miner who said he was alarmed at the violence of the protests in Kiev and the presence of ultra nationalists in the Ukrainian government who he considers “fascists.” | “We are so tired of all the reforms,” said Adolph Malerov, 76, a retired miner who said he was alarmed at the violence of the protests in Kiev and the presence of ultra nationalists in the Ukrainian government who he considers “fascists.” |
| “We want stability and prosperity,” he said. | “We want stability and prosperity,” he said. |
| Even as voting was about to commence, the militarization of the peninsula continued as military vehicles hauled equipment into place. A Ukrainian defense ministry official said about 50 military trucks carrying diesel generators were observed late Saturday on the road to Sevastopol. About 100 armored vehicles and trucks were seen heading toward a military airport near Dzhankoi in north of Crimea, said Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman. | Even as voting was about to commence, the militarization of the peninsula continued as military vehicles hauled equipment into place. A Ukrainian defense ministry official said about 50 military trucks carrying diesel generators were observed late Saturday on the road to Sevastopol. About 100 armored vehicles and trucks were seen heading toward a military airport near Dzhankoi in north of Crimea, said Vladislav Seleznyov, a spokesman. |
| Acting Ukrainian defense minister Ihor Tenyukh said Sunday that Russia had sharply elevated its troop presence in Crimea in recent days, bringing the total to 22,000. Tenykh told Interfax news agency that under basing agreements, Russia is limited to 12,500 troops in Crimea. | Acting Ukrainian defense minister Ihor Tenyukh said Sunday that Russia had sharply elevated its troop presence in Crimea in recent days, bringing the total to 22,000. Tenykh told Interfax news agency that under basing agreements, Russia is limited to 12,500 troops in Crimea. |
| “Unfortunately, in a very short period of time, this 12,500 has grown to 22,000. This is a crude violation of the bilateral agreements and is proof that Russia has unlawfully brought its troops onto the territory of Crimea,” Tenyukh said. | “Unfortunately, in a very short period of time, this 12,500 has grown to 22,000. This is a crude violation of the bilateral agreements and is proof that Russia has unlawfully brought its troops onto the territory of Crimea,” Tenyukh said. |
| In a phone call between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, Lavrov insisted that the referendum was legitimate and that “the results should be the starting point in determining the future of the peninsula,” according to a statement issued Sunday by the Russian foreign ministry. | In a phone call between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, Lavrov insisted that the referendum was legitimate and that “the results should be the starting point in determining the future of the peninsula,” according to a statement issued Sunday by the Russian foreign ministry. |
| The statement also called on Ukrainian authorities to “curb the rampant violence by ultra-nationalist and radical groups terrorizing the dissident, Russian-speaking population, our compatriots.” | The statement also called on Ukrainian authorities to “curb the rampant violence by ultra-nationalist and radical groups terrorizing the dissident, Russian-speaking population, our compatriots.” |
| Russia has suggested that it may have to intervene in eastern Ukraine to halt violence between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian demonstrators, which it blames on right-wing Ukrainians. Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of provoking conflict in order to justify an intervention. | Russia has suggested that it may have to intervene in eastern Ukraine to halt violence between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian demonstrators, which it blames on right-wing Ukrainians. Ukrainian officials have accused Moscow of provoking conflict in order to justify an intervention. |
| The Crimean vote occurred a day after Russian forces seized a natural gas facility just outside Crimean territory. The Crimean foreign ministry called the move “a military invasion by Russia.” | The Crimean vote occurred a day after Russian forces seized a natural gas facility just outside Crimean territory. The Crimean foreign ministry called the move “a military invasion by Russia.” |
| As Sunday morning wore on and a driving rain drenched Sevastopol, a steady stream of voters made their way to almost 200 polling places in the city and in neighboring villages. At School 3, a television in the hallway showed video of Sevastopol monuments to the Crimean War, interspersed with jerking, black and white photos of soldiers doing battle for the Soviet Army in World War II. A poll worker turned up the volume so the hallways filled with stirring, almost martial music. | As Sunday morning wore on and a driving rain drenched Sevastopol, a steady stream of voters made their way to almost 200 polling places in the city and in neighboring villages. At School 3, a television in the hallway showed video of Sevastopol monuments to the Crimean War, interspersed with jerking, black and white photos of soldiers doing battle for the Soviet Army in World War II. A poll worker turned up the volume so the hallways filled with stirring, almost martial music. |
| Tatyana Borodina, 44, said she considered this the most special vote she has ever cast. She said she felt in a festive mood. | Tatyana Borodina, 44, said she considered this the most special vote she has ever cast. She said she felt in a festive mood. |
| “If I want to live in another city or another country, I can move,” she said after voting to join Russia. “But Crimea should be Russian.” | “If I want to live in another city or another country, I can move,” she said after voting to join Russia. “But Crimea should be Russian.” |
| Down the block from School 3, an olive green military truck with Russian plates was parked outside a building that has become an office for self defense units that have formed. But around the school and near the polling booths themselves, there was no visible security whatsoever. | Down the block from School 3, an olive green military truck with Russian plates was parked outside a building that has become an office for self defense units that have formed. But around the school and near the polling booths themselves, there was no visible security whatsoever. |
| In the Crimean town of Bakhchysaray, a political and cultural center for minority Crimean Tatars, several polling places were crammed with enthusiastic voters first thing Sunday morning. However, most appeared to be ethnic Russians, while several Tatars in the street said they would not vote. Tatar leaders have called for a boycott of the referendum. | In the Crimean town of Bakhchysaray, a political and cultural center for minority Crimean Tatars, several polling places were crammed with enthusiastic voters first thing Sunday morning. However, most appeared to be ethnic Russians, while several Tatars in the street said they would not vote. Tatar leaders have called for a boycott of the referendum. |
| “We’re getting a lot more voters than usual, for so early in the day. Many say they have been waiting for this moment a long time,” said Galina Krivsova, a volunteer official at one polling station and a Russian language teacher. “A lot of older people remember the Soviet times, when it was easier to get apartments and other things. They want to go back.” | “We’re getting a lot more voters than usual, for so early in the day. Many say they have been waiting for this moment a long time,” said Galina Krivsova, a volunteer official at one polling station and a Russian language teacher. “A lot of older people remember the Soviet times, when it was easier to get apartments and other things. They want to go back.” |
| Krisova, like other poll workers in Bakhchysaray, was cordial to journalists, and the voting appeared to be orderly and efficient. The room was crowded and noisy with people asking questions, but officials with ledgers checked every ID card against lists and then guided voters to booths surrounded by cloth. A man guarded a large plexiglass box where people dropped their ballots. All those easily visible had check marks in the first of two boxes, which signified support of annexation to Russia. | Krisova, like other poll workers in Bakhchysaray, was cordial to journalists, and the voting appeared to be orderly and efficient. The room was crowded and noisy with people asking questions, but officials with ledgers checked every ID card against lists and then guided voters to booths surrounded by cloth. A man guarded a large plexiglass box where people dropped their ballots. All those easily visible had check marks in the first of two boxes, which signified support of annexation to Russia. |
| “I was born here when this was part of Russia, so I feel comfortable with Russia and I voted for Russia,” said a retired soldier and school worker, 65, who gave his name as Yuri. He predicted that many of his Tatar neighbors would vote for annexation despite the boycott, because they depend on tourism for a living. | “I was born here when this was part of Russia, so I feel comfortable with Russia and I voted for Russia,” said a retired soldier and school worker, 65, who gave his name as Yuri. He predicted that many of his Tatar neighbors would vote for annexation despite the boycott, because they depend on tourism for a living. |
| “The best and richest tourists who come here are from Russia,” he said. | “The best and richest tourists who come here are from Russia,” he said. |
| A few blocks away, a Tatar café manager snorted when asked if he planned to vote. | A few blocks away, a Tatar café manager snorted when asked if he planned to vote. |
| “No way,” Leonor Osmanov, 50, said with a dismissive wave. “Russia has spread a lot of lies, but we are all able to organize our lives perfectly well in Ukraine. Our parents survived deportation and we will survive this too. We will defend Ukraine, not with weapons but with our voices.” | “No way,” Leonor Osmanov, 50, said with a dismissive wave. “Russia has spread a lot of lies, but we are all able to organize our lives perfectly well in Ukraine. Our parents survived deportation and we will survive this too. We will defend Ukraine, not with weapons but with our voices.” |
| At a midday news conference in Simferopol Saturday, a senior election official denied rumors that tens of thousands of extra ballots had been prepared and said that only 1,512,000 had been printed in accordance with lists of registered voters. He said that 98 percent of polling places would be the same as in previous elections. | At a midday news conference in Simferopol Saturday, a senior election official denied rumors that tens of thousands of extra ballots had been prepared and said that only 1,512,000 had been printed in accordance with lists of registered voters. He said that 98 percent of polling places would be the same as in previous elections. |
| Asked about rumors that voting cards had been sent to dead people, the official, Mikhail Malyshev, responded: “Unfortunately, my mother died and she got one, too. These things happen, but it won’t affect the results.” He did not say when or where referendum results will be announced. | Asked about rumors that voting cards had been sent to dead people, the official, Mikhail Malyshev, responded: “Unfortunately, my mother died and she got one, too. These things happen, but it won’t affect the results.” He did not say when or where referendum results will be announced. |
| But officials at the headquarters of the Crimean Tatar minority group said they had evidence that officials had sent voter cards to hundreds of nonexistent people at addresses in the capital and that bus loads of Russian citizens and soldiers were being sent into Crimea with Ukrainian passports to vote for joining Russia. | But officials at the headquarters of the Crimean Tatar minority group said they had evidence that officials had sent voter cards to hundreds of nonexistent people at addresses in the capital and that bus loads of Russian citizens and soldiers were being sent into Crimea with Ukrainian passports to vote for joining Russia. |
| Crimean officials also presented a group of international observers at a press center set up for the referendum. Officials had said that 123 foreign observers from 23 countries had been registered but did not release a list of their names or countries. Most Western European countries refused to send observers, and those who appeared at the conference were mostly from Eastern Europe. | Crimean officials also presented a group of international observers at a press center set up for the referendum. Officials had said that 123 foreign observers from 23 countries had been registered but did not release a list of their names or countries. Most Western European countries refused to send observers, and those who appeared at the conference were mostly from Eastern Europe. |
| Serge Trifkovic, a Serbian-born writer and activist who lives in Chicago, led the group and delivered a ringing endorsement of the referendum, which he called “legal, legitimate, democratic and right.” | Serge Trifkovic, a Serbian-born writer and activist who lives in Chicago, led the group and delivered a ringing endorsement of the referendum, which he called “legal, legitimate, democratic and right.” |
| The Obama administration and its European allies have denounced the referendum as illegitimate, in part because of the widespread presence of Russian and pro-Russian security forces that have blanketed Crimea in the past several weeks. Most Western countries have refused to send poll observers. | The Obama administration and its European allies have denounced the referendum as illegitimate, in part because of the widespread presence of Russian and pro-Russian security forces that have blanketed Crimea in the past several weeks. Most Western countries have refused to send poll observers. |
| Journalists faced a day of confusion and intimidation Saturday as they prepared to cover the referendum. In the morning, several hundred of them waited for hours outside the Crimean parliament building for press credentials, facing double lines of Cossack guards who shoved and shouted at a few who tried to slip past. Finally, everyone was told to go to another press center for the polling-day passes. | Journalists faced a day of confusion and intimidation Saturday as they prepared to cover the referendum. In the morning, several hundred of them waited for hours outside the Crimean parliament building for press credentials, facing double lines of Cossack guards who shoved and shouted at a few who tried to slip past. Finally, everyone was told to go to another press center for the polling-day passes. |
| Then, at mid-evening, journalists staying at one hotel in the capital began tweeting that armed and uniformed men had taken over the premises and were not allowing them to leave or move between the lobby and their rooms. Some who asked what was going on were told by the hotel staff that it was a “terrorist military training” exercise. No one was reported hurt or detained, but news photographers at the hotel said their camera flash cards were seized and destroyed. | Then, at mid-evening, journalists staying at one hotel in the capital began tweeting that armed and uniformed men had taken over the premises and were not allowing them to leave or move between the lobby and their rooms. Some who asked what was going on were told by the hotel staff that it was a “terrorist military training” exercise. No one was reported hurt or detained, but news photographers at the hotel said their camera flash cards were seized and destroyed. |
| A non-stop stream of voters came all morning Sunday to School 29 in a middle class neighborhood in Sevastopol, where 2,196 voters are registered Vitaly Sherbanuk, 20, is a first time voter and he asked a friend to take his picture as he dropped his ballot into a plexiglass box. | A non-stop stream of voters came all morning Sunday to School 29 in a middle class neighborhood in Sevastopol, where 2,196 voters are registered Vitaly Sherbanuk, 20, is a first time voter and he asked a friend to take his picture as he dropped his ballot into a plexiglass box. |
| “We have waited a long time to join Russia,” said Sherbanuk, a commercial seaman. “Our lives will be better with Russia. Pensions and salaries will go up. Everything else, we will just have to wait and see.” | “We have waited a long time to join Russia,” said Sherbanuk, a commercial seaman. “Our lives will be better with Russia. Pensions and salaries will go up. Everything else, we will just have to wait and see.” |
| Security at polling places varies widely. At some schools there is virtually none. At others, soldiers wearing full-face balaclava masks and armed with Kalashnikov rifles guard the entrances. | Security at polling places varies widely. At some schools there is virtually none. At others, soldiers wearing full-face balaclava masks and armed with Kalashnikov rifles guard the entrances. |
| Few voters bother to fold their ballots before dropping them in see-through boxes, and ever visible ballot shows a checkmark for ballot question one -- to join Russia. | Few voters bother to fold their ballots before dropping them in see-through boxes, and ever visible ballot shows a checkmark for ballot question one -- to join Russia. |
| When polls opened at School 60 in Sevastopol, a group of about 20 voters carrying Sevastopol flags and singing the city anthem trooped in to applause from other voters. Mothers come to vote with their children, who carry Russian flags or have Russian ribbons tied to their jacket sleeves. | When polls opened at School 60 in Sevastopol, a group of about 20 voters carrying Sevastopol flags and singing the city anthem trooped in to applause from other voters. Mothers come to vote with their children, who carry Russian flags or have Russian ribbons tied to their jacket sleeves. |
| Turnout at School 60, where 3,485 people are registered, has ranged from crowded to jampacked, said elections official Tatyana Karpenko. | Turnout at School 60, where 3,485 people are registered, has ranged from crowded to jampacked, said elections official Tatyana Karpenko. |
| “Its been a very long wait -- 23 years,” said Nikolai Papanyan, 31, after voting to join Russia. “Before, we elected politicians who promised to move closer to Russia. Now we’re doing it ourselves.” | “Its been a very long wait -- 23 years,” said Nikolai Papanyan, 31, after voting to join Russia. “Before, we elected politicians who promised to move closer to Russia. Now we’re doing it ourselves.” |
| Griff Witte contributed reporting from London. | Griff Witte contributed reporting from London. |