The Crimea, an integral part of Ukraine, is being occupied by foreign troops.

On March 17, 2014, the developments were characterized by the following:

Illegal “referendum” in Crimea, unlawful activities of separatist forces and “puppet government”

• In Sevastopol, according to pronounced results, 123% of registered voters participated in “referendum”
• Only 0,5% of Crimean Tatars took part in “referendum”, according to their leader Refat Chubarov
• Pro-Russian “puppet government” has declared Crimea a republic and asked for international recognition
• Right after the “referendum”, self-proclaimed leaders of Crimea have left for Moscow to report on its results to their Russian superiors
• Illegitimate parliament of Crimea has taken a decision to nationalize all the state property of Ukraine on the territory of the peninsula
• Announcement of plans to issue Russian passports to Crimeans
• Unlawful decision to create central bank in Crimea separate from National Bank of Ukraine

Intimidation and crimes against Crimean locals, pro-Ukrainian population and Ukrainian Armed Forces

• In Bakhchysarai, despite the announced truce, Ukrainian military division was issued an ultimatum by occupiers to surrender the base
• In Bakchysarai, the commander of another Ukrainian military division was kidnapped by unknown individuals
• All across the Crimea, family members of Ukrainian border guards are threatened by Russia’s military and forced out of their houses
• In Simferopol, the exits from all of the Ukrainian military bases located around the city were surrounded by concrete blocks
• In Simferopol, two filmmakers of “Babylon 13” studio have been kidnapped by unknown individuals and their whereabouts are unknown

Image of www.mirror.co.uk