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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. Pro-Russian activists, some armed, have stormed the HQ of Ukraine's navy in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.
Russian flags have been seen flying from buildings and several Ukrainian servicemen were seen leaving the base. Several Ukrainian servicemen have left, the Russia flag is flying and there are reports that Ukrainian navy chief Serhiy Hayduk has been detained.
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 Russia.
The move has been widely condemned internationally. Sunday's disputed referendum, which officials say backed splitting from Ukraine, has been widely condemned.
Crimean and Russian officials say the referendum showed overwhelming public support for joining Russia. Crimean and Russian officials say the vote showed overwhelming public support for joining Russia, with 97% of voters in favour.
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. But the West and the Ukrainian government in Kiev say the referendum - 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 Wednesday, Russia's constitutional court approved the treaty as legal.
Brussels and the White House have said the sanctions will be expanded now that the treaty on Crimea has been signed. The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says there is no doubt that parliament will also give its full backing to the treaty when it votes on Friday.
Moscow has warned this is "unacceptable and will not remain without consequences". Ukrainian Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh has reportedly been ordered to head to Crimea amid the rising tensions.
Officers 'negotiating' Russia's Interfax news agency quoted Crimea's Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov, who is in Moscow, as saying: "Nobody will let them into Crimea, they will be sent back."
Servicemen leaving
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. Later, there were reports that Ukrainian navy chief Serhiy Hayduk had been detained and taken away from the base by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
A number of Ukrainian servicemen were 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.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".
Reports are also emerging of a similar incident at a Ukrainian navy base in Novo-Ozyorne, western Crimea.
Ukrainian defence ministry spokesman Vladyslav Seleznev said a tractor had rammed the gates of the compound and pro-Russians had entered the base.
Sanctions 'consequences'
On Monday, the US and the EU imposed sanctions on several officials from Russia and Ukraine accused of involvement in Moscow's actions in Crimea.
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".
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.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.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. 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, who called the referendum.
Are you in the region? Email us haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Crimea' in the subject heading and include your contact details.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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