Russian Forces Seize Ukrainian Village Beyond Border, Hotels In Crimea Stormed By Masked Gunmen [View all]

[Poll_Blind]

Source: Huffington Post

Russian forces have invaded the Ukraine, according to the Foreign Ministry in Kiev, with troops taking control of the village of Strilkove, six miles beyond the border of Crimea. The move comes ahead of Sunday’s referendum on whether the Black Sea peninsula should secede and become part of the Russian Federation.

According to AP, the seizure of the village, which involved troops, helicopter gunships and armoured vehicles, is the first move outside the peninsula by the Kremlin’s forces. There were no reports of gunshots fired in the village.

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Within Crimea, reports from journalists suggest that Russian Special Forces have stormed hotels, with masked men brandishing "silenced Kalashnikovs" placing residents under house arrest. Russian and Crimean authorities are claiming the move is part of a training exercise.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/03/15/russian-forces-invade-ukraine_n_4971538.html

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