Simferopol, March 21st (RHC) Over 70 Ukrainian military facilities on the Crimean peninsula have reportedly hoisted Russian flags as of midnight Thursday, also some Ukrainian Black Sea navy ships.

Local press quoted an anonymous official of the Republic of Crimea as saying that 72 Ukrainian military facilities had hoisted the flags, though did not specify the total number of Ukrainian military facilities on the peninsula.

Crimean Prime Minister Sergey Aksenov said last Friday that Ukrainian military personnel serving in Crimea will be given the opportunity to choose whether they stay or leave. Either way, they are guaranteed their pay and allowances due under the Ukrainian legislation, according to the chairman of the then-Autonomous Republic of Crimea council of ministers.

"I'm absolutely sure that all military units will move to the side of the legitimate government or become reserves," Aksenov told at a press briefing.