Exit poll: Crimea backs Russia union

Last updated 30 minutes ago

James Reynolds is at a polling station in Simferopol: "There's no option on this ballot paper for people to keep things as they are"

Around 93% of voters in Crimea have backed joining Russia and seceding from Ukraine, according to exit polls quoted by Russian news agencies.

Polls closed at 18:00 GMT and officials hailed a "record" turnout. Preliminary results are expected within hours.

Many opponents boycotted the vote, which has been rejected by the US and the EU as illegitimate.

Pro-Russian forces took control of Crimea in February after Ukraine's pro-Moscow president was overthrown.