Simferopol

Southeast Europe, Turkey criticise Russian moves in Ukraine

The annexation of Crimea has many worried about Russian ambition in Eastern Europe.

A woman walks past Russian soldiers patrolling outside the navy headquarters in Simferopol on Tuesday (March 18th). [AFP]

Pro-Russian activists detained Wednesday Ukraine's Navy Chief Serhiy Hayduk, short after taking control of the navy's HQ.

Russian website Lenta.ru, citing Kriminform news agency, explains that Hayduk had ordered "the use of weapons against civilians".

Ukraine's army has not confirmed that he issued such an instruction.

Tensions increased between Russia and Ukraine after reports of an incident at a naval base in Crimea's capital Simferopol.

Ukraine's military has announced that an officer has been killed in an attack on the base, Interfax news agency has informed. Other news sources suggest he was wounded in the neck.

Armed Russian forces arresting Ukrainian army officers during an operation in Simferopol on Tuesday.

Greece’s prime minister and foreign minister walked a careful line on Tuesday between backing the European Union’s position on Crimea but also insisting that attempts should continue at reaching a diplomatic compromise with Russia over the Ukrainian region.

Ex-Ukraine minister says Crimea nears 'point of no return'

NATO and the European Union say that the vote in Crimea will not be recognised.

A man is searched as armed militiamen secure the area near the Crimean parliament building in central Simferopol on Monday (March 17th). [AFP]

A Crimean Tatar youth holding a sign reading ‘No illegal referendum’ as pro-Ukrainian demonstrators marched in the streets of Simferopol on Friday.

By John Kittmer *

A choice isn’t a choice when it is made with a gun to your head.

A decree making Crimea part of the Russian Federation was voted in the regional Parliament on Thursday.

Russian armed forces are "the only lawful armed force on the territory", Crimea Deputy PM Rustam Termigaliev was reported as saying.

A special UN envoy cut short his mission in Crimea after being harassed by armed men and ordered to leave the region, Wednesday.

Robert Serry said the car he was traveling in was blocked by unidentified armed men in camouflage uniforms after he visited the headquarters of the Ukrainian navy in Simferopol.