Crimea declares independence from Ukraine, applies to join Russia: official

 SIMFEROPOL - Crimea's regional assembly on Monday declared independence from Ukraine and applied to join Russia, saying all Ukrainian state property on the peninsula would be nationalised.

"The republic of Crimea appeals to the United Nations and to all countries of the world to recognise it as an independent state," read a document approved by the assembly, a day after the peninsula voted overwhelmingly to become part of Russia.

AFP