Crimean Forces Storm Ukrainian Navy HQ

SEVASTOPOL, Crimea (AP) — Crimea's self-defense forces have stormed the Ukrainian navy headquarters in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol, taking possession without resistance. Today's move comes a day after Russia signed a treaty with local authorities to annex the region.

An Associated Press photographer witnessed several hundred self-defense forces take down the gate and make their way onto the headquarters' premises. They then raised the Russian flag on the square by the headquarters.

The unarmed Crimean self-defense forces waited for an hour on the square before they moved to storm the headquarters, but Ukrainian servicemen did not offer any resistance. The AP photographer was able to enter the headquarters and saw the Crimean self-defense forces roaming around while the Ukrainian servicemen were packing up and leaving.

Vice President Joe Biden is to meet today with the leaders of Lithuania and Latvia to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.

Lithuania and Latvia share their eastern border with Russia. Biden, who's in the Baltic region, is to make the case that the U.S. stands ready to defend NATO members Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Yesterday, Biden was in Poland, which also shares a border with Russia and Ukraine.