Pro-Russian forces have taken control of Ukraine's navy headquarters in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, a day after Russia signed a treaty with local authorities to make Crimea part of Russia.
Witnesses say at least 200 of the unarmed self-defense forces entered the base Wednesday and put up the Russian flag. There was no violence, as Ukrainian service members reportedly did not resist the takeover.
Thousands of Russian soldiers have overtaken Crimea in recent weeks. The majority-Russian region voted in a referendum Sunday to break away from Ukraine and join Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin's moves to annex Crimea have angered the United States and European Union, which have declared the referendum illegal and imposed sanctions on Russia in response.
But Mr. Putin told the Russian parliament Tuesday the vote was legal and that Crimea has always been an "inalienable" part of Russia.