Interim Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov ordered the withdrawal of armed forces from Crimea Monday, citing Russian threats to the lives of military staff and their families. Russian troops have seized most of Ukraine's bases in the peninsula, including a naval base at Feodosia on Monday. Russia annexed Crimea last week after a controversial referendum that Ukraine and the West say was illegal. "The acting President of Ukraine has given an order to the Ukraine Defense Ministry for the withdrawal of all Ukrainian forces from Crimea," a spokeswoman for Turchynov told CNN. The soldiers' families will be evacuated as well. Earlier, Russian troops stormed and seized the Ukrainian naval base in Feodosia, a port in Crimea, a Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman said. Witnesses said several Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters were involved in the raid. Between 60 and 80 Ukrainian troops were captured and taken from the base, said Vladislav Seleznev, a Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman in Crimea.
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NATO commander concerned about buildup of Russian forces on Ukraine's border
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Russian threats cited as reason for withdrawal, spokeswoman says
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Russia seizes naval base in Crimea, captures troops
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U.S., other western nations kick Russia out of G*
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@placeholder forces have moved so close to the border, there would be no warning time, and the U.S. would likely only see an incursion as it was happening, the official said.
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Crimea had belonged to Russia until 1954, when it was given to @placeholder.
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The region also has a majority ethnic Russian population and other long historic ties to @placeholder.
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"We're united in imposing a cost on @placeholder for its actions so far."
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@placeholder responded with its own list of sanctions against a number of U.S. lawmakers and officials.