SIMFEROPOL, March 20, 23:19 /ITAR-TASS/. Seventy-two military units stationed in Crimea and formerly subordinated to the Ukrainian army command raised Russian flags on Thursday, March 20.

Russian flags were hoisted among others on board six warships and 25 auxiliary vessels which belonged to the Ukrainian Navy.

“The commanders of 72 military units, institutions and ships of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry made the decision to join voluntarily the Russian Armed Forces for further military service,” the Crimean government told ITAR-TASS.