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Reports: Shots fired as Russian troops storm Ukraine airbase

Armed men, believed to be Russian servicemen, take cover behind an armoured vehicle as they attempt to take over a military airbase in the Crimean town of Belbek near Sevastopol March 22. The commander of Belbek airbase in Crimea said on Saturday he would be taken away by Russian forces for talks after they entered the base with armored vehicles and automatic rifles. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov REUTERS

By Robert Burgess

March 22, 2014

Less than a minute to read

Russian troops forced their way into a Ukrainian airbase in Crimea on Saturday, according to Reuters.

The news service reported one Ukrainian serviceman was injured as Russians used automatic fire and stun grenades to take over the military facility.

The BBC reported:

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The Ukrainian commander of the base, Yuliy Mamchur, said there was at least one injury, the Associated Press reported. He called his men together, they sang the Ukrainian national anthem and then stood at ease. He said they are going to turn over their weapons.

Russian forces have been seizing Ukrainian military facilities for several days in the Black Sea peninsula, which voted a week ago to secede and join Russia.