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.

"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.

Thousands turned out in Simferopol and Sevastopol to celebrate the vote

Ukraine opposition leader Vitali Klitschko claimed the country stands on the verge of a humanitarian crisis, with the danger of ethnic cleansing of Crimea's Tatar minority.

Nearly 97% of those who voted in Crimea said they wanted to break away from Ukraine but Western powers have called the referendum illegal and a "sham".

Foreign Secretary William Hague warned of "long term costs and consequences for Russia" as European ministers met to finalise travel bans and asset freezes on Russian and Crimean officials.

America has restated its rejection of the referendum, branding Russia's actions "dangerous and destabilising" and saying the vote "would never be recognised".

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 on Monday and the rouble has been introduced as a second official currency.

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

It also wants Ukrainian military outposts in the region disbanded, but the Kiev government 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.

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 also hung over Crimea, such as the payment of salaries and social security, and the supply of gas and electricity.

Lenin Square was full of patriotism towards Russia

But, for the crowds who turned out in Simferopol on Sunday night, such questions were for another day.

Thousands of people waving Russian flags filled Lenin Square as patriotic songs boomed out and fireworks lit up the sky.

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 Crimea followed the ousting of Kremlin ally Viktor Yanukovych last month.

The president fled the Ukrainian capital Kiev after days of anti-government clashes that left scores of police and protesters dead.

The vote has been condemned as illegal by many governments in the West

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

The referendum also 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 trying to stoke violence in other cities, such as Donetsk.

Sky News' Michelle Clifford, in Kiev, said there is a real fear in the country that Russia could now move its troops further into Ukraine.

The government 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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