More than 60000 people marched today holding Russian flags and photos of Russian president Vladimir Putin in Simferopol, the capital of the Ukrainian peninsual of Crimea which was annexed by Russia in March.

It was mainly public sector workers who participated on the occasion of May Day, holding placards reading: “We are Russia”, “Putin is our president”.

In Sevastopol, around 8000 people marched in response to the call of municipal authorities, according to police, however the participation in protests in Slaviansk wasn’t significant.