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One of the unidentified armed men patrolling in front of the airport today AP Photo/Andrew Lubimov

Armed men are patrolling one of Ukraine's main airports

However the airport is operating normally, despite their presence.

THE AIRPORT IN Crimea’s capital Simferopol is operating normally this morning despite armed men in military clothes who have begun patrolling outside it.

Passengers had normal access to the airport, on Ukraine’s Black Sea coast, and were checking in for flights.

An earlier report said that it had been seized overnight by armed assailants.

However a dozen unidentified armed men could be seen outside the airport perimeter. They did not respond to questions about where they were from.

The airport’s information service said that the airport was “working as normal”.

image

(AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

Interfax-Ukraine news agency had earlier reported that around 50 unknown gunmen carrying Russian flags had seized the airport building in the early hours of this morning, a day after pro-Russian armed men took control of the city’s regional government and parliament buildings.

Another dozen unarmed pro-Russian men were standing outside the entrance to the airport territory and told a reporter that they were there to keep order.

“We are against fascism and nationalism. We are remaining outside the airport,” said Dmitry, a young lawyer, without giving his surname.

On Thursday Crimea’s regional parliament, which remained under the control of pro-Moscow gunmen, voted to hold a referendum on May 25 to expand the region’s autonomy from Kiev and replaced the local government with a pro-Russian official.

The raid followed the ouster of Kremlin-allied Ukraine president Viktor Yanukovych last weekend in an avalanche of change following the deaths of scores of people in clashes in Kiev.

image

(AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev)

- © AFP, 2014

Read: ‘Wanted for mass murder’ – Arrest warrant issued for toppled Ukraine leader Yanukovych >

Read: Unity government to be formed in Kiev, as US stops just short of endorsing interim leader >

Column: The fight for the future of Ukraine is not over – not by a long shot >

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    Mute Keith Wizzy
    Favourite Keith Wizzy
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:30 PM

    Fair fooks to all involved. Ashamed to say I’d not known it was on.

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    Mute Rob Cunningham
    Favourite Rob Cunningham
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    Nov 14th 2013, 12:10 AM

    When is the next one?

    40
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    Mute Bobby
    Favourite Bobby
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:42 PM

    What a great city

    71
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    Mute Gerard McCarthy
    Favourite Gerard McCarthy
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    Nov 14th 2013, 1:18 AM

    Was there only one photographer in dublin, couldn’t have got a pic outside Dublin no? Typical!! Not to put dampener on it as was great cause fair play to those who ran, just a gentle reminder to media life exists outside of DUBLIN!!!!

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    Mute Derek Gannon
    Favourite Derek Gannon
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    Nov 14th 2013, 1:25 AM

    G’wan the chip on the shoulder. . . .

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    Mute Gerard McCarthy
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    Nov 14th 2013, 1:52 AM

    Feckin dubs ha!!

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    Mute Cian Hulm
    Favourite Cian Hulm
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    Nov 14th 2013, 2:03 AM

    Does it really?

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    Mute Derek Gannon
    Favourite Derek Gannon
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    Nov 14th 2013, 2:03 AM

    Ah sure we’re all friends. . . I’m sure there will be photos of the cork run somewhere tomorrow.all the journalists on the score.ie are too busy trying to come up with more Roy keane articles for us then to worry about the night run anywhere else!!

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    Mute Dominique Lavin
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:55 PM

    Well done to everyone involved in this including my amazing brother in law Gary Seery all the running for such good causes :)

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    Mute Mark Doran
    Favourite Mark Doran
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    Nov 14th 2013, 5:57 AM

    Ran the race last night, had a great time :) thanks to all the organisers & volunteers for their free time & support. Well Done to all all over the Country & further a field.

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    Mute Fecky Din
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    Nov 13th 2013, 11:54 PM

    Saw one of these in Vienna a couple weeks ago..really cool idea

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    Mute peter gaffney
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    Nov 14th 2013, 5:58 AM

    Should be ran in the phoniex park.

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    Mute Daniel Dunne
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    Nov 14th 2013, 4:32 PM

    Except for the lack of street lighting away from Chesterfield Avenue, it’s a nicer run but not practical for a run in the dark.

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    Mute Caroline Farrell
    Favourite Caroline Farrell
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    Nov 14th 2013, 2:46 PM

    I ran in Kilkenny with some friends.lovely night for it

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    Mute peter gaffney
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    Nov 15th 2013, 1:36 AM

    The reason i was suggesting it should be ran in the park is for a number of obvious reasons.
    Free traffic congestion
    Free parking where ever you want.
    Free lighting (generatated lighting).
    Don’t get me wrong i agree with the purpose of the run for charities and all that and i salute everybody that run’s the race…..just think its more of a suitable place.

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