克里米亚亲俄示威活动全面展开

克里米亚亲俄示威活动全面展开

The decision of the Crimean parliament to hold a referendum on March 16th has divided political lines in Ukraine.

Pro-Russian protesters in Crimea's capital Simferopol turn on a woman who doesn't support Russian military action, her child at her feet unable to understand all the anger.

Emotion has come to dominate Crimea's legislature too, says Leonid, a local parliamentary deputy. In his last parliament session he opposed leaving Ukraine. When he tried to return to the building, "there were men with guns stood there," he said. "When they saw me they started to shout and run at me. I was in a car and we drove away and I didn't get in."

Back on the street the pro-russian chanting is in full swing. These demonstrators feel the interim government in Kiev does not represent them.

"We are against Maidan and against their government, we will never recognise it," said one demonstrator.

"They declared war on us. We, here, didn't declare anything," said another.

Kiev supporters from Crimean Tartars to ethnic Ukrainians and those who want to remain part of Ukraine, like Leonid, are now branded fascists and harangued in public.

But even if Crimea does turn towards Russia, Leonid says he will stay here.

"I was born on this land. I lived here, I am the fourth generation, my children are the fifth generation. I'm not going anywhere, I'm living here," he said, meaning his voice of dissent will also be staying.