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Ukraine officer 'killed in attack on Crimea base' Ukraine officer 'killed in attack on Crimea base'
(35 minutes later)
Ukraine's military says an officer has been killed in an attack on a base in Crimea, the first such death since pro-Russia forces took control in February.Ukraine's military says an officer has been killed in an attack on a base in Crimea, the first such death since pro-Russia forces took control in February.
It said all its troops at the Simferopol base had been arrested.It said all its troops at the Simferopol base had been arrested.
The attack came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Crimea signed a bill to absorb the peninsula into Russia.The attack came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin and the leaders of Crimea signed a bill to absorb the peninsula into Russia.
Western powers condemned the treaty and a G7 and EU crisis meeting has been called for next week in The Hague.Western powers condemned the treaty and a G7 and EU crisis meeting has been called for next week in The Hague.
The Ukrainian crisis began in November last year after pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych abandoned an EU deal in favour of stronger ties with Russia. He fled Ukraine on 22 February after deadly protests. The Ukrainian crisis began in November last year after pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych abandoned an EU deal in favour of stronger ties with Russia. He fled Ukraine on 22 February after protests in which many died.
'Military stage''Military stage'
The Ukrainian defence ministry said a warrant officer who was on duty in a park inside the Simferopol base had been killed and another serviceman injured. The Ukrainian government said a junior officer who was on duty in a park inside the Simferopol base had been killed and another officer injured. A third serviceman had leg and head injuries after being beaten with iron bars, it said.
Spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov told Reuters the attack was by "unknown forces, fully equipped and their faces covered". Defence ministry spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov told Reuters the attack was by "unknown forces, fully equipped and their faces covered".
The Ukrainians had their IDs, weapons and money confiscated, he said. The Ukrainians had had their IDs, weapons and money confiscated, he said.
The government said it had now authorised the use of weapons by its troops in Crimea.
Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told an emergency government meeting: "The conflict is shifting from a political to a military stage.Interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told an emergency government meeting: "The conflict is shifting from a political to a military stage.
"Russian soldiers have started shooting at Ukrainian military servicemen and that is a war crime.""Russian soldiers have started shooting at Ukrainian military servicemen and that is a war crime."
Reports from the Crimean news agency, Kryminform, said a pro-Russian defence force member had also been shot dead in a separate incident in Simferopol. Reports from the Crimean news agency, Kryminform, said a pro-Russia defence force member had been shot dead.
Neither of the deaths in the two incidents has been independently confirmed. Neither of the accounts can be independently confirmed or whether they relate to the same incident.
The BBC's Mark Lowen, in Simferopol, says up until now only warning shots have been fired amid a truce - but it appears the tension has boiled over and there are fears that further clashes could follow.
'Glory to Russia''Glory to Russia'
Earlier, Mr Putin told Russia's parliament that Crimea had "always been part of Russia" and in signing the treaty he was righting a "historical injustice".Earlier, Mr Putin told Russia's parliament that Crimea had "always been part of Russia" and in signing the treaty he was righting a "historical injustice".
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says an audience of loyalists rose to their feet on several occasions, as Mr Putin accused Western countries of constantly trying to push Russia into a corner and of being hypocrites.The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says an audience of loyalists rose to their feet on several occasions, as Mr Putin accused Western countries of constantly trying to push Russia into a corner and of being hypocrites.
But our correspondent says there were conciliatory words, too - Mr Putin stressed Russia did not want to "divide" the rest of Ukraine.But our correspondent says there were conciliatory words, too - Mr Putin stressed Russia did not want to "divide" the rest of Ukraine.
The president later appeared before crowds in Moscow's Red Square, telling them: "Crimea and Sevastopol are returning to... their home shores, to their home port, to Russia!"The president later appeared before crowds in Moscow's Red Square, telling them: "Crimea and Sevastopol are returning to... their home shores, to their home port, to Russia!"
He shouted "Glory to Russia" as the crowds chanted "Putin!"He shouted "Glory to Russia" as the crowds chanted "Putin!"
The predominantly ethnic-Russian region of Crimea held a referendum on Sunday in which it said 97% of voters had backed joining Russia.The predominantly ethnic-Russian region of Crimea held a referendum on Sunday in which it said 97% of voters had backed joining Russia.
Crimea's leaders declared independence on Monday and Russia acknowledged it as a nation.Crimea's leaders declared independence on Monday and Russia acknowledged it as a nation.
'Land grab''Land grab'
Western powers have declared the vote illegal and roundly condemned Tuesday's treaty. Ukraine's interim President Olexander Turchynov said Russia's actions were reminiscent of Nazi Germany's takeover of Austria and the Sudetenland.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry said: "We do not recognise and never will recognise the so-called independence or the so-called agreement on Crimea joining the Russian Federation."
Western powers have declared the Crimea referendum illegal and roundly condemned Tuesday's treaty.
US Vice-President Joe Biden, speaking earlier in Poland, said Russia's involvement in Crimea was "a brazen military incursion" and its annexation of the territory was "nothing more than a land grab" by Moscow.US Vice-President Joe Biden, speaking earlier in Poland, said Russia's involvement in Crimea was "a brazen military incursion" and its annexation of the territory was "nothing more than a land grab" by Moscow.
The White House said Monday's round of targeted sanctions on Ukrainian and Russian officials by the US and EU would be expanded.The White House said Monday's round of targeted sanctions on Ukrainian and Russian officials by the US and EU would be expanded.
"This action - the results of the referendum and the attempt to annex a region of Ukraine - will never be recognised by the United States and the international community," spokesman Jay Carney said."This action - the results of the referendum and the attempt to annex a region of Ukraine - will never be recognised by the United States and the international community," spokesman Jay Carney said.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron said: "It is completely unacceptable for Russia to use force to change borders on the basis of a sham referendum held at the barrel of a Russian gun."UK Prime Minister David Cameron said: "It is completely unacceptable for Russia to use force to change borders on the basis of a sham referendum held at the barrel of a Russian gun."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the referendum, the declaration of independence and Crimea's "absorption into the Russian Federation" were "against international law".German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the referendum, the declaration of independence and Crimea's "absorption into the Russian Federation" were "against international law".
The Ukrainian foreign ministry said: "We do not recognise and never will recognise the so-called independence or the so-called agreement on Crimea joining the Russian Federation."
Are you in the region? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine' in the subject heading and including your contact details.Are you in the region? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine' in the subject heading and including your contact details.
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