Unmarked pro-Russian troops stormed a Ukrainian air force base in the Crimean city of of Belbek as well as another military base about 30 miles west of Simferopol according to Ukrainian officials.
Now that Ukraine has lost Crimea, which seems certain to be reunited with the Russian Federation, the future of the remainder of the country depends on what happens in the urban, industrial and populous eastern regions such as the Donbas.
Ukraine is preparing to “quickly and efficiently” withdraw its troops and their families from Crimea, according to Kiev’s security chief.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree recognising Crimea as a “sovereign and independent state”, according to Russian officials.
Crimean officials have announced that 95.5% of voters in the referendum support joining Russia, with around half the votes counted.