In pictures: Crimean air base almost becomes a flashpoint
Russian forces guarding the Belbek airfield opened fire as unarmed Ukrainian troops attempted to re-occupy it. Warning shots were fired over the Ukrainians' heads before leaders managed to negotiate a resolution without casualties
A Russian serviceman guards the Belbek airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014. A column of unarmed Ukrainian servicemen arrived at the base for negotiations with Russian troops on Tuesday, local media reported.VASILY FEDOSENKO/Reuters
Ukrainian military commanders return from negotiations with Russian forces at the military airport in the Crimean village of Belbek, Ukraine, March 4, 2014.SERGEY PONOMAREV/The New York Times
Ukrainian servicemen leave the Belbek airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.BAZ RATNER/Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen carry flags as they leave Belbek airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.BAZ RATNER/Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen wait at Belbek airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.BAZ RATNER/Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen wait at Belbek airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.BAZ RATNER/Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen wait at Belbek airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.BAZ RATNER/Reuters
Russian soldiers watch Ukrainian servicemen at Belbek airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.BAZ RATNER/Reuters
A Russian soldier looks through the sights of his weapon as Ukrainian servicemen wait at Belbek airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014. A column of unarmed Ukrainian servicemen arrived at the base for negotiations with Russian troops on Tuesday, local media reported.BAZ RATNER/Reuters
Russian servicemen stand guard behind a wall on which the Ukrainian national flag is painted at the Belbek Sevastopol International Airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.VASILY FEDOSENKO/Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen march away, after negotiations with Russian troops at the Belbek Sevastopol International Airport in the Crimea region failed March 4, 2014.VASILY FEDOSENKO/Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen with flags wait during negotiations with Russian troops at the Belbek Sevastopol International Airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.VASILY FEDOSENKO/Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen play with a football near Russian military vehicles at the Belbek Sevastopol International Airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.VASILY FEDOSENKO/Reuters
Ukrainian troops wait during talks with Russian forces at the military airport in the Crimean village of Belbek, Ukraine, March 4, 2014. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that the Ukrainian crisis resulted from an "unconstitutional coup," and said that any potential use of military force would be "a last resort."SERGEY PONOMAREV/The New York Times
A Russian serviceman is seen behind pro-Russian activists at the Belbek Sevastopol International Airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014. A column of unarmed Ukrainian servicemen arrived at the base for negotiations with Russian troops on Tuesday, local media reported. The Ukrainian and Russian governments have begun high-level contacts on the crisis in Ukraine, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said on Tuesday.VASILY FEDOSENKO/Reuters
Ukrainian servicemen march away from the Belbek Sevastopol International Airport in the Crimea region March 4, 2014.VASILY FEDOSENKO/Reuters