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Ukrainian forces withdraw from Crimean military bases Ukrainian forces withdraw from Crimea
(about 2 hours later)
Ukraine's armed forces have started a full withdrawal from their military bases in Crimea, correspondents say. Ukrainian troops are leaving Crimea, following emotional farewells to wives and family members left behind.
Ukraine's interim president earlier ordered the pullout of troops due to "Russian threats to the lives of military staff and their families". Their departure comes as Russian forces are reported to have stormed a Ukrainian naval ship blockaded in Lake Donuzlav, in western Crimea.
A Ukrainian defence official has told the BBC that every Crimean military base is now under Russian control. It is one of Kiev's last military assets in the region, after its remaining bases were stormed on Monday.
The move completes Russia's annexation of Crimea, following a referendum that Kiev and the West considered illegal. Earlier this month, Russia annexed Crimea after a referendum considered illegal by Kiev and the West.
The G7 group of industrialised countries was to consider a collective response to the crisis during talks in The Hague later on Monday. Ukraine's interim president Olexander Turchynov ordered the military pullout on Monday morning because of "Russian threats to the lives of military staff and their families".
His announcement came shortly after Russian forces seized a naval base at Feodosia - the third such takeover in 48 hours.
The BBC's Ian Pannell, in the Crimean capital of Simferopol, said he saw Ukrainian marines heading to the border from the naval base.
Ukrainian Defence Ministry spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov said Russians had attacked the base from two directions using armoured personnel carriers and stun grenades. Two Ukrainian navy minesweepers were also stormed earlier on Monday by Russian forces, reports said.
Russian defence officials earlier said that the tricolour of Russia had been hoisted at 189 Ukrainian military units and facilities in Crimea.
Widespread defections
Meanwhile Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has met troops in Crimea and inspected military bases. He is the most senior Russian official to visit the region since it was annexed by Moscow.
Mr Shoigu also rewarded the former head of Ukraine's navy, Rear Admiral Denys Berezovsky - one of few Ukrainian officers to switch allegiances before the annexation - with the deputy command of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
Since annexation, many more troops are believed to have defected.
In a press conference, Oleksandr Rozmaznin, deputy chief of the Ukrainian armed forces' general staff, said: "We know the names of almost all the commanders who have signed a contract with the Russian Federation.
"I won't tell you their names as they don't deserve being mentioned, but they represent around 50 percent."
Despite the news that Ukrainian troops were already on the move, he also insisted Ukraine needed guarantees in order to pull its troops out.
"No military unit will leave without a corridor because if there are no agreements there will be fighting, and we are not considering to start a fight or use weapons," Mr Rozmaznin said.
"Therefore we are now in the process of negotiations."
"Imposing a cost on Russia"
The G7 group of industrialised countries, meeting in The Hague in the Netherlands, is considering a collective response to the crisis.
G7 leaders are meeting on the sidelines of a long-planned summit on global threats to nuclear security.G7 leaders are meeting on the sidelines of a long-planned summit on global threats to nuclear security.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to have talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Deshchytsya. He will also meet US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Speaking ahead of the talks, US President Barack Obama said Europe and America were united in their support of the Ukrainian government and its people.Speaking ahead of the talks, US President Barack Obama said Europe and America were united in their support of the Ukrainian government and its people.
Alongside Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Mr Obama said the US and Europe were also "united in imposing a cost on Russia for its actions (in Ukraine) so far".Alongside Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Mr Obama said the US and Europe were also "united in imposing a cost on Russia for its actions (in Ukraine) so far".
'Pressure and aggression'
The BBC's Ian Pannell, in the Crimean capital of Simferopol, says he has seen Ukrainian marines heading to the border from Feodosia naval base. The compound was seized by Russian forces earlier on Monday - the third such takeover in 48 hours.
Defence spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov said Russians had attacked the base from two directions using armoured personnel carriers and stun grenades. Two Ukrainian navy minesweepers were also stormed on Monday by Russian forces, reports said.
Interim President Olexander Turchynov earlier announced the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Crimea in a nationally televised statement.
"The national security and defence council has reached a decision, under instructions from the defence ministry, to conduct a redeployment of military units stationed in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea," he told the Ukrainian parliament.
"The cabinet of ministers has instructions to resettle the families of soldiers as well as everyone else who today is forced to leave their homes under the pressure and aggression of the Russian army's occupying forces."
Russian defence officials earlier said that the tricolour of Russia had been hoisted at 189 Ukrainian military units and facilities in Crimea.
The BBC's Mark Lowen in Crimea says the order to withdraw is hugely significant and can be regarded as a de facto military surrender, although Kiev would never admit it.
Our correspondent says this is now the end of the battle for Ukraine, with its military presence in Crimea almost completely crushed.
Nato's military commander in Europe warned on Sunday that Russian forces on Ukraine's eastern borders were capable of mounting an operation all the way to Moldova.Nato's military commander in Europe warned on Sunday that Russian forces on Ukraine's eastern borders were capable of mounting an operation all the way to Moldova.
In other developments:In other developments:
Moscow's annexation of Crimea on 16 March came after protesters overthrew pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych in February.Moscow's annexation of Crimea on 16 March came after protesters overthrew pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych in February.
Russia said it had acted to protect its "compatriots" in Crimea from "fascists" moving in from mainland Ukraine.Russia said it had acted to protect its "compatriots" in Crimea from "fascists" moving in from mainland Ukraine.
The US and EU have responded with a series of sanctions targeting those individuals including senior officials whom they accuse of involvement in Crimea's annexation.The US and EU have responded with a series of sanctions targeting those individuals including senior officials whom they accuse of involvement in Crimea's annexation.