Russian troops besiege Ukrainian military base in Crimea

The troops stood outside the base and surrounded it. Credit: Reuters

The Russian army surrounded a military base in Ukraine in this morning, placing hundreds of soldiers outside a base in Perevalne, in the Crimea region.

Read: Convoy of Russian troops besiege Ukrainian base

The move comes just a day after the Russian parliament approved the use of military force to "protect Russian citizens" in Ukraine.

The military base was one of several outposts surrounded and told to disarm. Some refused leading to stand-off, although no shots have been fired.

More: Armoured vehicle pulls up at military base stand-off

Europe Editor James Mates reports from outside the base.

In the nearby port of Sevastopol, the head of Ukraine's navy surrendered his headquarters during a similar blockage.

He was shown on Russian television defecting, and swearing allegiance to the pro-Russian regional leaders of Crimea.

Read: Ukrainian Navy chief to be charged with treason

Ukrainian authorities said he was fired for treason, shortly after the footage emerged. Viktoria Syumar, deputy secretary of Ukraine's Security Council said:

Another admiral, Serhiy Hayduk, has been placed in charge of the navy.

More: Head of Ukraine's Navy in Crimea switches sides