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In Pictures: Russian troops in Crimea

Tensions escalate as Russian soldiers and ‘self defence’ groups take up positions throughout Crimea’s capital.

Despite an uneasy calm, members of the "self defence forces" stand guard at certain points of the city.
By George Henton
Published On 4 Mar 2014

Simferopol, Ukraine – In the Crimean capital, an uneasy calm pervades much of the city, where Russian troops are positioned along some of the main streets and local residents attempt to carry on with their daily lives. 

Support for the Russian “invasion” appears widespread in the city, with Russian flags on display throughout the capital. There are also small but daily rallies held in a show of support for the Russian presence and as a declaration for disdain for the protesters in Kiev and for Ukraine’s new government. 

Few people, however, are under the impression that the relative calm will remain and fears of violence are widespread as Russia strengthens its hold on the peninsula. But despite the often fiery rhetoric from both sides, many residents find it hard to envision a war breaking out. 

Only a few possible flashpoints remain. At the bases where Ukrainian forces are refusing to stand down, Russian troops, to date, have shown few signs of doing anything more than surrounding the area. For there to be a war, there needs to be an enemy to fight, and so far any signs of one remains largely illusive. 

What is clear, however, is Russia’s military presence in Simferopol. Soldiers and “self defence” forces stand guard in the city’s centre.

While tensions remain high, people continue to walk around and shop in the thoroughfares.
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Support for the Russian intervention in the Crimea appears widespread, as people pose for photos holding Russian flags outside the Crimean Parliament building.
Members of a "self defence force" guard masked gunmen, who are widely understood to be Russian soldiers.
On February 27, Pro-Kremlin armed men began seizing government buildings in Crimea.
On a main street, heavily armed Russian troops stand guard as locals carry on with their daily routines.
Despite their refusal to talk to the press, Russian troops appear to have no issue with photos being taken of them.
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Moscow says military movements in Crimea are in line with previous agreements to protect its fleet in the Black Sea.
A woman looks back at two heavily armed Russian soldiers on a street in the centre of the capital.
Not far from the city, Russian forces and "self defence" volunteers have gathered outside a Ukrainian army base where Ukrainian soldiers are refusing to surrender.
A Russian soldier sits atop an armoured vehicle outside the Ukrainian army base not far from the region(***)s capital, Simferopol. It is one of a number of bases around the Crimea currently surrounded by Russian troops.
Outside a Ukrainian army base, heavily armed Russian troops survey the hills for potential threats.
Teenage girls, holding balloons in the colours of the Ukrainian nation flag, walk past Russian soldiers surrounding a Ukrainian army base.