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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 armed, have stormed the HQ of Ukraine's navy in the Crimean city of Sevastopol. | |
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 Russia. | |
Sunday's disputed referendum, which officials say backed splitting from Ukraine, has been widely condemned. | |
Crimean and Russian officials say the vote showed overwhelming public support for joining Russia, with 97% of voters in favour. | |
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 Wednesday, Russia's constitutional court approved the treaty as legal. | |
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. | |
Ukrainian Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh has reportedly been ordered to head to Crimea amid the rising tensions. | |
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. |
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, 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. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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