Ukraine's Crimea lives in Russia's shadow: 5 things to know

SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine — With unrest growing in the Crimea over Ukraine's political transformation, a group of armed men seized the local parliament and the regional government headquarters in Simferopol early Thursday morning, barricaded themselves 

SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine — With the Russian flag planted atop the regional Parliament, Crimea raised the specter of secession from Ukraine on Thursday, threatening renewed civil conflict and a showdown between Ukraine's fledgling government and the 

SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine — With unrest growing in the Crimea over Ukraine's political transformation, a group of armed men seized the local parliament and the regional government headquarters in Simferopol early Thursday morning, barricaded themselves 

Fears of a major regional conflict in Crimea pitting Russia against the west intensified on Thursday after pro-Russian gunmen seized the regional government and parliament building in a well co-ordinated military operation, 

The parliament of Ukraine's Autonomous Republic of Crimea has proposed a referendum to determine the region's future amid the turmoil in the country.