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Crimea crisis: Pro-Russians seize Sevastopol Ukraine naval base Crimea crisis: Pro-Russians seize Sevastopol Ukrainian naval base
(35 minutes later)
Pro-Russian activists have taken control of the headquarters of Ukraine's navy in the Crimean city of Sevastopol. Pro-Russian activists have taken control of 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. Ukrainian navy chief Serhiy Hayduk has been detained and the Russian flag is flying over the compound. Many Ukrainian personnel have left the base.
It comes a day after Crimean leaders signed a treaty with Moscow absorbing the peninsula into Russia. On Tuesday, Crimean leaders signed a treaty with Moscow absorbing the peninsula into Russia.
Sunday's referendum on splitting from Ukraine has been widely condemned. That followed Sunday's referendum approving Crimea's split from Ukraine - a vote that has been widely condemned.
Crimean and Russian officials say the vote showed overwhelming public support for joining Russia, with 97% of voters in favour.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. But the West and the Ukrainian government in Kiev say the hastily organised referendum - boycotted by many of Crimea's Ukrainian and Tatar minorities - was illegal and will not be recognised.
On Wednesday, Russia's constitutional court approved the accession treaty as legal. Russia's constitutional court has now approved the accession treaty and the BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says there is no doubt that parliament will also give its full backing.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says there is no doubt that Russia's parliament will give its full backing to the treaty when it votes on Friday. Ukrainian Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh and First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Yarema travelled to Crimea on Wednesday to try to defuse tensions, but were prevented from entering, Ukrainian media reported, citing ministers.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh has reportedly been ordered to head to Crimea, where Ukrainian troops are vastly outnumbered by Russian forces. Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said the EU must send "a very clear warning" to Russia. He also said the G8 group should discuss whether to expel Russia "if further steps are taken".
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." Refusal to surrender
Servicemen leaving Pro-Russian forces appear to have taken control of the Ukrainian base in Sevastopol - the port city which houses Russia's Black Sea fleet - without a shot being fired.
The port city of Sevastopol is home to the Russian Black Sea fleet. Around 200 people, some armed, broke down the gates and went to negotiate with senior Ukrainian personnel.
Pro-Russian forces appeared to have taken control of the Ukrainian base there without a shot being fired. Kiev ordered its troops to stay in place, but a number of Ukrainian servicemen - at least one in tears - were seen leaving the base carrying their belongings.
An officer inside the base told the BBC that some 200 pro-Russian activists had broken down the gates and gone inside to negotiate with Ukrainian officers. Others are still inside and refusing the surrender.
Ukrainian navy spokesman Sergiy Bogdanov said officers had barricaded themselves inside the building. "There is nothing we could do against the crowd, nothing. Everything happened spontaneously," said Ukrainian captain Olexander Balanyuk.
Even though Kiev has authorised the military to use force in Crimea in self-defence, he said "we are not doing so and will not do so". "There were many promises from the Russian side and our side that the base will not be stormed, that all issues will be resolved through political means, but as you see now - there was a takeover."
A number of Ukrainian servicemen were later seen leaving the base carrying their belongings, and Russian flags were raised over the building. Pro-Russian forces member Viktor Melnikov said that "not a drop of blood has been spilled" and there was no violence, saying the Ukrainians were applauded as they left.
The AFP news agency said one serviceman was in tears as he walked out.
There were then reports that Serhiy Hayduk had been detained and taken from the base by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).There were then reports that Serhiy Hayduk had been detained and taken from the base by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB).
"He was blocked and he had nowhere to go. He was forced out and he has been taken away," said Igor Yeskin, a representative of the Russian forces."He was blocked and he had nowhere to go. He was forced out and he has been taken away," said Igor Yeskin, a representative of the Russian forces.
Ukraine's defence ministry reported a similar incident at a its navy base in Novo-Ozyorne, in western Crimea.Ukraine's defence ministry reported a similar incident at a its navy base in Novo-Ozyorne, in western Crimea.
Defence ministry spokesman Vladyslav Seleznev said on Facebook that a tractor had rammed the gates of the compound and blocked the entrance.Defence ministry spokesman Vladyslav Seleznev said on Facebook that a tractor had rammed the gates of the compound and blocked the entrance.
On Tuesday, Ukraine's army said a soldier had been killed in an attack on a base in Crimea's capital, Simferopol. Russia said one member of the pro-Russian "self-defence" force in Crimea had also been killed. The reports could not be independently confirmed.
Ukraine's interim Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk warned "the conflict is shifting from a political to a military stage".
Sanctions 'consequences'Sanctions 'consequences'
The US and the EU are among those who have imposed sanctions on several officials from Russia and Ukraine accused of involvement in Moscow's actions in Crimea.The US and the EU are among those who have 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 - Moscow has warned this is "unacceptable and will not remain without consequences".Brussels and the White House have said the sanctions will be expanded - 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 was handed to Ukraine by the Soviet Union in 1954, and has a predominantly ethnic Russian population. Many in Crimea - with its predominantly ethnic Russian population - opposed the new West-leaning government, and in late February, pro-Russian forces effectively took control of the peninsula.
Pro-Russian forces effectively took control of the peninsula in late February and gunmen seized buildings, including the parliament. Moscow denies the forces are Russian or are acting under its orders.
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. Crimea's prime minister was replaced on 27 February by pro-Moscow Sergei Aksyonov, leader of the small Russian Unity party, who called the referendum.
In an emotionally charged speech before he signed the treaty in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Crimea had "always been and remains an inseparable part of Russia".In an emotionally charged speech before he signed the treaty in Moscow on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Crimea had "always been and remains an inseparable part of Russia".
"The people of Crimea clearly and convincingly expressed their will - they want to be with Russia," he said, and were no longer prepared to put up with the "historical injustice" of being part of Ukraine.
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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