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Ukrainian military bases targeted in Crimea Ukrainian military bases targeted in Crimea
(35 minutes later)
Pro-Russian protesters have stormed a Ukrainian naval base in western Crimea.Pro-Russian protesters have stormed a Ukrainian naval base in western Crimea.
Several hundred unarmed protesters attacked the base at Novofedorivka, which is now under the complete control of Russian forces.Several hundred unarmed protesters attacked the base at Novofedorivka, which is now under the complete control of Russian forces.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops surrounded by Russian forces have been ordered to battle stations at Belbek airbase. Meanwhile, shooting and blasts were heard as Russian troops stormed Ukraine's Belbek airbase.
Russian forces, including snipers and armoured personnel carriers, have advanced and an ultimatum to surrender has just expired. Two armoured personnel carriers burst through the wall of the base followed by Russian troops. Reports say at least one person was injured.
The Ukrainian soldiers were later gathered at the base main square.
Russian forces, including snipers and armoured personnel carriers, earlier issued an ultimatum to surrender.
'All is in smoke''All is in smoke'
The Belbek base commander told the few dozen troops still there to shoot in the air if they were attacked. The Belbek base commander earlier told the few dozen troops still there to shoot in the air if they were attacked.
He said he had been waiting for days for orders from Kiev but told the BBC that none had been issued.He said he had been waiting for days for orders from Kiev but told the BBC that none had been issued.
Ukraine's military chiefs deny this, saying each unit in Crimea has been issued with clear orders on what to do if attacked.Ukraine's military chiefs deny this, saying each unit in Crimea has been issued with clear orders on what to do if attacked.
Meanwhile, more Crimean "self-defence" units - including Cossacks in full uniform - later arrived at the base near Sevastopol, a BBC correspondent there reports. The BBC's Ian Pannell in Crimea says the Ukrainian troops on the peninsula feel beleaguered and abandoned by their chiefs in Ukraine.
In Novofedorivka, attackers threw smoke bombs at the base, a spokesman for the Ukraine defence ministry's Crimean region was quoted as saying by the Ukrainian media.In Novofedorivka, attackers threw smoke bombs at the base, a spokesman for the Ukraine defence ministry's Crimean region was quoted as saying by the Ukrainian media.
"All is in smoke. We retreated to the main headquarters," Vladyslav Seleznyov said."All is in smoke. We retreated to the main headquarters," Vladyslav Seleznyov said.
He later said the Ukrainian forces had left the base after performing the national anthem.He later said the Ukrainian forces had left the base after performing the national anthem.
Russian forces have also been seizing or blocking Ukrainian Navy ships across Crimea. Pro-Russian militia backed by Russian forces have also been seizing or blocking Ukrainian Navy ships across Crimea.
"All of Crimea is Russia, and the Ukrainian force must leave," one of the pro-Russian activists told the BBC.
Russian troops have taken over control over Crimea following last month's overthrow of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych after mass street protests.
The Kremlin says it acted to protect its "compatriots" in Crimea from "fascists" moving in from the mainland Ukraine.
Kiev denies the claim, accusing Moscow of "blatant lies" to justify the land grab.
Ukraine and the West have condemned as "illegal" the 16 March referendum in Crimea, where voters backed a proposal to re-join Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has since signed a law formalising Crimea's takeover.
The US and EU have responded with a series of sanctions targeting those individuals - including senior officials - involved in what Washington and Brussels describe as Crimea's "annexation".