Armed men have seized the Simferopol Radio and Television

Transmitting Station, turning off Channel 5 and 1+1 and turning on

Rossiya 24, the Concern for Radio Broadcasting, Radio Communications and

Television has said in a statement published on its official Web site.

“Armed men, along with representatives of Russian television and

radio companies, entered Simferopol Radio and Television Transmitting

Station at 1000 on March 6. They illegally stopped the broadcasting of

Channel 5 and 1+1 Channel and turned on the television signal of Rossiya

24 to a network of transmitters of the Black Sea Television and Radio

Company, and are making illegal attempts to turn on other Russian

channels. Coverage of the Crimean territory by the Black Sea Radio and

Television Company is 84%,” reads the statement.