Ukrainian Military Base Stormed by 'Pro-Russian' Troops in Simferopol, Crimea — Shots Fired, Soldier Killed

Russia Considers Crimea Key To Safeguarding its Black Sea Fleet: A Russian
sailor assigned to the Russian navy destroyer RFS Admiral Chabanenko. (Photo
from Official U.S. Navy Page)

By Adam Withnall
Russian forces have reportedly begun storming a Ukrainian military base in the Crimean capital Simferopol, killing one serviceman and wounding an officer.

Ukrainian military spokesperson Vladislav Seleznyov said shots had been fired and one serviceman had died of wounds to his neck and collarbone.

"We have barricaded ourselves on the second floor," a spokesperson told the Interfax news agency. "The headquarters has been taken and the commander has been taken. They want us to put down our arms but we do not intend to surrender," he said.

"We are being stormed. We have about 20 people here and about 10 to 15 others, including women," an unidentified serviceman told Fifth Channel television.

A second man, a captain, was also injured. Seleznyov said it was unclear who had staged the assault, but described the attackers, as "unknown forces, fully equipped and their faces covered".

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