Ukraine Calls Up Troops After Crimea Vote

Ukraine's parliament has approved a partial mobilisation of troops following Crimea's referendum supporting a union with Russia.

It said 20,000 troops reserve troops were being called up, plus 20,000 more from the newly-formed National Guard.

Crimea's regional assembly has already formally applied to join Russia and announced the nationalisation of all Ukrainian state property, including the disbanding of military bases on the peninsula.

"The republic of Crimea appeals to the United Nations and to all countries of the world to recognise it as an independent state," read a document by the Crimean assembly on Monday.

The Ukraine crisis has led to a Cold War-style stand-off

Nearly 97% of voters said they wanted to break away from Ukraine but Western powers have called the referendum a "sham" and against international law.

Foreign Secretary William Hague warned this morning of "long term costs and consequences for Russia" as European ministers prepare to punish Russian and Crimean officials with travel bans and asset freezes.

America has restated its rejection of the referendum, branding Russia's actions "dangerous and destabilising".

Russian President Vladimir Putin insists the vote is legal and is set to address the issue at the Russian parliament on Tuesday.

Crimea wasted no time following the landslide vote - officials are expected to fly to Moscow later on Monday to discuss joining its powerful neighbour.

It also wants Ukrainian military outposts in the region disbanded, but the government in Kiev said they are staying put.

"Those (troops) who want to live here? No problem. Those who want to swear allegiance we will examine," said Crimea's assembly chief Volodymyr Konstantynov.

Thousands turned out in Simferopol and Sevastopol to celebrate the vote

Sky News' Nick Martin, at an army base near Crimean capital Simferopol, said it was a tense time for the solders and their families.

"There are many Ukrainian soldiers inside, pretty much surrounded by Russian soldiers - no one really knows how this will work.

He said many practical questions are also hanging over Crimea, such as moving to the Russian currency, the payment of salaries and the supply of gas and electricity.

Ukrainian troops in Kiev - thousands more are now on alert

Thousands of people had gathered in Crimean capital Simferopol ahead of the referendum result, waving Russian flags as patriotic songs played and fireworks lit up the sky.

People also turned out to celebrate in Sevastopol, where the Russian navy's Black Sea Fleet is based.

Lucia Prokorovna, 60, carrying a giant Russian flag said: "We're free of the occupation. Ukraine was attached to Crimea like a sack of potatoes."

The intervention of Russian forces in the region, following the ousting as president of Kremlin ally Viktor Yanukovych last month, led to accusations the poll was conducted "at the barrel of a gun".

Moscow justified the occupation of Crimea, saying it wished to protect the majority ethnic Russian population.

The referendum came against a backdrop of unrest in the divided eastern Ukraine, which has seen pro-Russian demonstrations turn violent.

Kiev has accused "Kremlin agents" of now trying to stoke violence in Russian-speaking cities such as Donetsk.

It has urged people not to be provoked into retaliating because clashes could be used by Moscow as an excuse for further interventions.

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