SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine
Two of Ukraine’s remaining military bases in Crimea fell to pro-Russian forces Saturday, AA’s correspondent on the scene said.
Civilian militias loyal to Moscow overran Belbek air base, situated outside Sevastopol, as well as its coastal annex Lyubimovka after a crowd stormed the base’s main compound late Saturday afternoon.
Five armored vehicles entered the base as pro-Russian groups threw smoke grenades. Shots were later heard, though it remains unclear as to who opened fire.
According to independent news sources one person, rumored to be a journalist, was wounded in the exchange.
The air base is now under full control of Crimea’s security forces, with most of the Ukrainian personnel having voluntarily vacated the base.
In a separate development Saturday, forces allied to Moscow also captured a Ukrainian naval base in Novofyodorivka.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law the annexation of Ukraine's strategic peninsula of Crimea. The move followed a March 16 referendum in Crimea where 97% of voters chose to secede from Ukraine and join Russia. The United States, the European Union and Ukraine regard the vote as "illegitimate."
englishnews@aa.com.tr
