Russian forces seize second base

President Vladimir Putin has signed a treaty claiming the Black Sea region of Crimea as Russian territory.

RUSSIAN forces have seized control of a second Ukrainian navy base in western Crimea, hours after capturing the main navy headquarters in Sevastopol.

Some 50 Ukrainian servicemen were seen filing out of the base at Novoozerne as Russian soldiers stood by, while pro-Moscow militants raised the Russian flag over the base.

The move comes after masked Russian-speaking troops earlier seized control of Ukrainian naval headquarters in Crimea after it was stormed by militiamen.

Taking over...Crimean pro-Russian "self-defence" take over the Ukrainian navy headquarters, with a picture of 19th century Ukrainian poet and writer Taras Shevchenko, in Sevastopol, Crimea. Picture: AP Source: AP

Pro-Moscow Crimean authorities also detained the Ukrainian navy commander and reportedly blocked the defence minister and another government official from traveling to the peninsula to try to defuse tensions.

Ukraine's military, which is heavily outnumbered in Crimea, has come under increased pressure since the region was nominally incorporated into Russia on Tuesday.

The several hundred militiamen who captured the base in Sevastopol met no resistance. Sevastopol is also the home port of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and tens of thousands of Russian-led troops are now patrolling Crimea.

It came a day after a confrontation between Ukrainian soldiers and pro-Russian militia left two dead.

Seized...Members of the Crimean pro-Russian self-defence forces climb up to take down a Ukrainian flag, right, and a Ukrainian navy flag, left, at the Ukrainian navy headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea. Picture: AP Source: AP

The Russian-speaking troops, who arrived on the base after the storming, wore helmets, flak jackets and uniforms with no identifying insignia.

By afternoon, they were in full control of the naval headquarters, a set of three-story boxy white concrete buildings with blue trim.

It was not immediately clear how many, if any, Ukrainian servicemen remained on the base.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry said no one was injured in the raid, which it said was led by pro-Russian militiamen and Cossacks.

ENGRAGED UKRAINE OUT OF OPTIONS

The ministry said in its statement that Rear Adm. Sergei Haiduk was detained by unknown people after the storming of the fleet headquarters.

The Russian state ITAR-Tass news agency reported that he was being questioned by Crimean prosecutors.

Ukraine's defence minister and deputy prime minister had planned to travel to Crimea today in a bid to avert an escalation in hostilities.

Escalation...Chief of the Russian Black Sea Fleet Alexander Vitko leaves the Ukrainian navy headquarters after they were seized by pro-Russian forces in Sevastopol, Crimea. Picture: AP Source: AP

The prime minister in Crimea warned after the announcement of their departure that they would be turned back, however.

"They are not welcome in Crimea,'' Sergei Aksyonov was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

"They will not be allowed to enter Crimea. They will be sent back.''

Interfax later cited Welfare Minister Lyudmila Denisova as saying the officials had been denied entry to Crimea. She said an emergency session of the National Security and Defense Council will held in response.

At the Ukrainian navy headquarters, an Associated Press photographer said the militiamen took down the gate and made their way onto the base.

They then raised the Russian flag on the square by the headquarters.

The unarmed militiamen waited for an hour on the square and, following the arrival of the commander of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, they took over the building.

The AP photographer was able to enter the headquarters and saw the militia roaming around while the Ukrainian servicemen were packing up and leaving.

Crimean Pro-Russian "self-defence" forces brawl with Ukrainian servicemen outside the Ukrainian navy headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea. The pro-Russian forces have taken possession of the base without resistance a day after Russia signed a treaty to annex the region. Picture: AP Source: AP

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty to incorporate Crimea into Russia following a referendum Sunday in which residents of the region overwhelmingly backed the move.

PUTIN'S CRIMEA SPEECH: FIVE MOST RIDICULOUS MOMENTS

Jubilant crowds in Moscow and other cities across Russia hailed the annexation, while Ukraine's new government called Putin a threat to the "civilised world and international security,'' and the US and the European Union threatened tougher sanctions against Moscow.

On Monday, Washington and Brussels targeted Russian and Crimean officials with visa bans and asset freezes.

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