Ukraine's acting president says a top air force commander is being held after his base in Crimea was stormed by pro-Russian forces and is calling for his release.
Col Yuliy Mamchur is the commander of the Belbek Air Force base near Sevastopol, which was taken over yesterday by forces who sent armoured personnel carriers smashing through the base's walls and fired shots and stun grenades. One Ukrainian serviceman was reported wounded in the clash. It was unclear if the forces, who didn't bear insignia, were Russian military or local pro-Russia militia.
President Oleksandr Turchynov, in a statement today, said Mamchur was "abducted" by the forces. He didn't specify where Mamchur is believed to be held.
Russia formally annexed the Crimean Peninsula, which is home to Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
