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.

The concern noted that on the territory of the Simferopol Radio and Television Transmitting Station there was a large number of pro-Russian Cossacks who make threats and carry out psychological pressure on the employees of the concern.