Ukrainian soldiers and armoured personnel carriers guard a checkpoint near the village of Salkovo, in Kherson region, adjacent to Crimea.
Russia's upper house of parliament unanimously approved a treaty on annexing Ukraine's Crimea region on Friday, clearing the way for President Vladimir Putin to sign it into law.
The Federation Council followed the State Duma lower house by voting for the treaty. Putin was expected to complete the ratification process by signing the treaty at a ceremony with the speakers of both chambers later on Friday.
© Thomson Reuters 2014