Crimea voted overwhelmingly to split from Ukraine and join Russia Sunday March 16,2014

Fireworks exploded and Russian flags were waved by jubilant crowds last night after Crimea voted overwhelmingly to split from Ukraine and join Russia.

Crimean Voted to leave Ukraine,join Russia

Final results showed 96.6 % of voters have backed passing control of the region from Kiev to Moscow.

The head of Crimea's unrecognised government Sergei Aksyonov looks at a ballot paper at a polling station in Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine

Ukraine, the US and the EU have all said they will not recognise the outcome of the vote

The EU has confirmed that 'dozens or scores' of Russian officials will face sanctions from tomorrow
Sanctions, which may include asset freezes or visa restrictions, come after politicians from the European Union spent the night whittling down a list of 120 names

The result comes after Ukrainian prime minister Arseny Yatseniuk vowed to hunt down the 'separatist leaders' in Crimea, warning that the 'ground will burn under their feet'.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Ukrainian prime minister Arseny Yatseniuk said: 'We will find all of them - if it takes one year, two years - and bring them to justice and try them in Ukrainian and international courts

The speaker of Crimea's regional assembly said Moscow was likely to respond swiftly to Sunday's referendum on the southern Ukrainian region joining Russia.
'I think that (Russia) will answer quickly, because you see what is happening to people, it is an important event, it is not only a Crimean event, it is a Russian and a global event,' Vladimir Konstantinov told Rossiya 24 news channel.

In the largely Russian-speaking city of Donetsk pro-Kremlin demonstrators have taken to the streets

The Crimeans have been celebrating in Lenin Square, beside a statue of the former Soviet leader, showing the close historical ties between the peninsula and Russia

Russia has poured troops into the region today as the referendum takes place, with Kiev saying 22,000 soldiers are now stationed there, nearly double the legal limit


The referendum comes two weeks after Russian-led forces seized control of Crimea.
Locals say they fear the new Ukrainian government that took over when President Viktor Yanukovych fled to Russia last month will oppress them.
Russia raised the stakes yesterday when its forces, backed by helicopter gunships and armoured vehicles, took control of a Ukrainian village and a key natural gas distribution plant outside of Crimea - the first Russian military move into Ukraine beyond the peninsula of 2million people.

At the United Nations on Saturday March 15,2014 Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution declaring the referendum illegal. 

China, its ally, abstained and 13 of the 15 other nations on the council voted in favour - a signal of Moscow's isolation on the issue.

 

Crisis timeline

• 21 Nov 2013: President Viktor Yanukovych abandons an EU deal
• Dec: Pro-EU protesters occupy Kiev city hall and Independence Square
• 20-21 Feb 2014: At least 88 people killed in Kiev clashes
• 22 Feb: Mr Yanukovych flees; parliament removes him and calls election
• 27-28 Feb: Pro-Russian gunmen seize key buildings in Crimea
• 6 Mar: Crimea's parliament votes to join Russia
• 16 Mar: Crimea voters choose to secede in disputed referendum
• 17 Mar: Crimean parliament declares independence and formally applies to join Russia