As we reported earlier [7], while Ukraine military forces are either slowly leaving the Crimea or joining the Russian army, one outpost, that at the Crimean airforce base of Belbek, remains undaunted by Russian demands to hand over the premises as the Russian ultimatum to surrender has expired [8], and moments ago wire services reported that shots were fired as Russian forces stormed the front gate of the Crimean outpost. Watch a live webcast from the scene below as the Russian force take control of the last place of presence of Ukraine forces in the Crimea.
Update: Curiously, as soon as we put the live webcast on, this happened:
#Belbek [9] base: Masked guy at truck, other soldiers too, look up to camera, i think they may try to shoot at it pic.twitter.com/L9UVkexR2X [10]
— Blue Dragon (@joriandrake) March 22, 2014 [11]
#Belbek [9] base: Camera got taken down! I repeat, cam is down. Taken offline by hand. This is the last image I have pic.twitter.com/ymmgTLgiJE [12]
— Blue Dragon (@joriandrake) March 22, 2014 [13]
“@Ukrainolution [14]: Eyes of the world now blinded as #Russian [15] troops seize Belbek Airbase in Crimea. #Ukraine [16] #Crimea [17] pic.twitter.com/Z1LUd5JUpm [18]”
— Kseniia.B (@BeechersBrooks) March 22, 2014 [19]
If we find a different live feed we will update. In the meantime, there is twitter:
At least one Ukrainian has been injured as Russian special forces storm Ukrainian airforce base in #Crimea [17]
— Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) March 22, 2014 [20]
Reuters: #Ukraine [16] commander of Belbek airbase says he will be taken away by Russians for talks. At least 1 Ukrainian injured. #Crimea [17]
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) March 22, 2014 [21]
Situation at Belbek calmer, Ukrainians milling around. Russian special forces have encircled but weapons down. #Crimea [17]
— Alexander Marquardt (@MarquardtA) March 22, 2014 [22]
The following LiveNews live news site has an occasional feed from Belbek:
[23]
Update 2: The situation is back to normal as Russian troops finally take control of the airbase
Russian troops take control of Belbek airbase in #Crimea [17]. Media are corralled by troops, some equipt confiscated. pic.twitter.com/EREehCYN7U [24]
— Ian Pannell (@BBCiPannell) March 22, 2014 [25]