A woman casts her ballot at a school in Gvardeyskoye, Ukraine’s most populated township about 20 kilometers north of Simferopol, during the Crimean referendum on March 16. Photo: Li Qian/GT

People wave Crimean flags at Lenin Square in central Simferopol during the Crimean referendum on March 16. Photo:Li Qian/GT

Russian soldiers stand watch outside a Ukrainian infantry facility in Simferopol, Crimea during the Crimea referendum on March 16. Photo: Li Qian/GT

Russian soldiers and a military vehicle are stationed outside a Ukrainian infantry facility in Simferopol on March 16. Photo: Li Qian/GT

Ukrainian soldiers guard a military facility on Marx Street in central Simferopol during the Crimean referendum on March 16. Photo: Li Qian/GT