Ukrainian military bases targeted in Crimea

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.

Russian forces, including snipers and armoured personnel carriers, have advanced and an ultimatum to surrender has just expired.

The Belbek base commander 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.

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.

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.

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.

Labels: Conflict, Crimea, Russia, Ukraine

posted by Pieface @ Saturday, March 22, 2014