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Russian troops storm Ukrainian bases in Crimea | Russian troops storm Ukrainian bases in Crimea |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Shooting and explosions have been heard as Russian troops backed by armoured vehicles stormed a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea. | Shooting and explosions have been heard as Russian troops backed by armoured vehicles stormed a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea. |
Reports say at least one person was injured during the assault on Belbek base, near Sevastopol. The base is now said to be under Russian control. | Reports say at least one person was injured during the assault on Belbek base, near Sevastopol. The base is now said to be under Russian control. |
Earlier, several hundred unarmed protesters seized a Ukrainian naval base at Novofedorivka, western Crimea. | Earlier, several hundred unarmed protesters seized a Ukrainian naval base at Novofedorivka, western Crimea. |
Pro-Russian militia have also been seizing Ukrainian navy ships. | Pro-Russian militia have also been seizing Ukrainian navy ships. |
The BBC's Ian Pannell, in Crimea, says the Ukrainian troops on the peninsula feel beleaguered and abandoned by their commanders in Ukraine. | The BBC's Ian Pannell, in Crimea, says the Ukrainian troops on the peninsula feel beleaguered and abandoned by their commanders in Ukraine. |
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law formalising Russia's takeover of Crimea from Ukraine, despite fresh sanctions from the EU and the US. | On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law formalising Russia's takeover of Crimea from Ukraine, despite fresh sanctions from the EU and the US. |
'All is in smoke' | 'All is in smoke' |
In Belbek, two armoured personnel carriers burst through the wall of the base followed by Russian troops firing weapons in the air. | In Belbek, two armoured personnel carriers burst through the wall of the base followed by Russian troops firing weapons in the air. |
An ambulance was then seen entering the base amid reports that at least one person had been injured. | |
The Ukrainian soldiers were later gathered at the base main square in front of the heavily armed Russian troops. | The Ukrainian soldiers were later gathered at the base main square in front of the heavily armed Russian troops. |
The storming followed an ultimatum by the Russians to surrender. | The storming followed an ultimatum by the Russians to surrender. |
The Belbek base commander earlier 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. |
In Novofedorivka, attackers threw smoke bombs at the base. | In Novofedorivka, attackers threw smoke bombs at the base. |
"All is in smoke. We retreated to the main headquarters," a spokesman for the Ukraine defence ministry's Crimean region, Vladyslav Seleznyov, was quoted as saying by Ukrainian media. | "All is in smoke. We retreated to the main headquarters," a spokesman for the Ukraine defence ministry's Crimean region, Vladyslav Seleznyov, was quoted as saying by Ukrainian media. |
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. |
Pro-Russian militia - backed by Russian forces - have already seized a number of Ukrainian bases in the southern peninsula. | Pro-Russian militia - backed by Russian forces - have already seized a number of Ukrainian bases in the southern peninsula. |
"All of Crimea is Russia, and the Ukrainian force must leave," one of the pro-Russian activists told the BBC. | "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 of Crimea following last month's overthrow of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych after mass street protests. | Russian troops have taken over control of 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". | 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". |