SEVASTOPOL: Pro-Moscow activists overran the Ukrainian navy's headquarters in Sevastopol on Wednesday with no shots fired, Ukrainian navy spokesman Sergiy Bogdanov told AFP, whereas the activists claimed they had “taken away” the head of the Ukrainian navy Sergiy Gayduk.

“He was blocked and he had nowhere to go. He was forced out and he has been taken away,” Igor Yeskin, a representative of the Russian forces at the scene, told reporters.

Talking about the capture of the Naval base Ukraine's navy spokesman Bogdanov said “There are about 200 of them, some wearing balaclavas. They are unarmed and no shots have been fired from our side,,”

“The officers have barricaded themselves inside the building and negotiations are ongoing,” he said.

“Even though we have the authorisation to use weapons in self-defence, we are not doing so and will not do so,” he said.

A report on Russia's state news agency ITAR-TASS said that the activists had raised a Russian flag over the naval headquarters.

The report said the activists had been protesting outside the navy base and then broke in by cutting through the fence.