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Pro-Russians storm Ukraine Sevastopol naval base in Crimea | Pro-Russians storm Ukraine Sevastopol naval base in Crimea |
(35 minutes later) | |
Pro-Russian activists, some of them armed, have stormed the headquarters of the Ukrainian navy in the Crimean city of Sevastopol. | |
Russian flags have been seen flying from buildings and several Ukrainian servicemen were seen leaving the base. | |
It comes a day after Crimean leaders signed a treaty with Russia absorbing the peninsula into the Russian Federation after a disputed referendum. | It comes a day after Crimean leaders signed a treaty with Russia absorbing the peninsula into the Russian Federation after a disputed referendum. |
The move has been widely condemned internationally. | The move has been widely condemned internationally. |
Crimean and Russian officials say the referendum showed overwhelming public support for joining Russia. | |
But the Ukrainian government in Kiev and the West say the vote - organised in two weeks and boycotted by many of Crimea's Ukrainian and Tatar minorities - was illegal, and the results will not be recognised. | |
On Monday, the US and the EU imposed sanctions on several officials from Russia and Ukraine accused of involvement in Moscow's actions in the Black Sea peninsula. | On Monday, the US and the EU imposed sanctions on several officials from Russia and Ukraine accused of involvement in Moscow's actions in the Black Sea peninsula. |
Brussels and the White House have said the sanctions will be expanded now that the treaty on Crimea has been signed. | |
Moscow has warned this is "unacceptable and will not remain without consequences". | |
Officers 'negotiating' | |
An officer inside the Sevastopol base told the BBC that some 200 pro-Russian activists had broken down the gates and gone inside, using an ambulance car. | An officer inside the Sevastopol base told the BBC that some 200 pro-Russian activists had broken down the gates and gone inside, using an ambulance car. |
The senior Ukrainian officer at the scene was negotiating with them, he said. | The senior Ukrainian officer at the scene was negotiating with them, he said. |
A number of Ukrainian servicemen were later seen leaving the base. There have been no reports of clashes or shots being fired. | A number of Ukrainian servicemen were later seen leaving the base. There have been no reports of clashes or shots being fired. |
The port city of Sevastopol is home to the Russian Black Sea fleet. | |
Ukrainian navy spokesman Sergiy Bogdanov told AFP news agency: "There are about 200 of them, some wearing balaclavas. | Ukrainian navy spokesman Sergiy Bogdanov told AFP news agency: "There are about 200 of them, some wearing balaclavas. |
"They are unarmed and no shots have been fired from our side. The officers have barricaded themselves inside the building," he said. | "They are unarmed and no shots have been fired from our side. The officers have barricaded themselves inside the building," he said. |
He said even though Kiev had authorised the military to use force in Crimea in self-defence "we are not doing so and will not do so". | He said even though Kiev had authorised the military to use force in Crimea in self-defence "we are not doing so and will not do so". |
The Ukrainian crisis began last November after pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych ditched an EU association agreement in favour of stronger ties with Moscow. | The Ukrainian crisis began last November after pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych ditched an EU association agreement in favour of stronger ties with Moscow. |
He fled Ukraine on 22 February after protests in which more than 80 people were killed. | He fled Ukraine on 22 February after protests in which more than 80 people were killed. |
Crimea has been part of Ukraine since 1954 but has a predominantly ethnic Russian population. | |
Pro-Russian forces effectively took control of the peninsula in late February and gunmen seized buildings, including the parliament. | |
The prime minister was removed from office on 27 February by a vote of no confidence and replaced by pro-Moscow Sergei Aksyonov, leader of the small Russian Unity party. | |
Are you in the region? Email us haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Crimea' in the subject heading and include your contact details. | |
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