Russian forces storm Ukraine base in Crimea; ...hoists Russian flag

Hundreds of Ukrainian troops today abandoned their naval base in Crimea after Russian soldiers backed by unarmed volunteers stormed the building in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol this morning.

Several hundred so-called Crimea self-defence soldiers - consisting mainly of unarmed volunteers - took down the gate alongside Russian troops and made their way onto the headquarters' premises.

They then raised the Russian flag on the square by the headquarters. Three Russian flags were also reported to be flying in front of one of the entrances.

Shortly after the incident, Ukraine's acting Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh said in Kiev that the country's forces would not withdraw from Crimea even though Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a treaty to make it part of Russia.

But an hour later, Ukrainian servicemen, unarmed and in civilian clothing, began walking out of the headquarters.

Flanked by heavily-armed Russian soldiers, many were seen clutching bags containing their belongings, with their service uniforms in their arms as they abandoned the building.

Ukrainian Navy flags and insignia are removed from inside the Ukrainian Navy headquarters

Ukrainian servicemen leave a Ukrainian military unit after it was taken over by Russian forces in Sevastopol, Crimea