Crimea switches over to Russian rubles and passports

Residents of the Crimean peninsula see the Russian annexation take effect as they switch their currency and passports.

The signs of transition are welcomed by the ethnic Russians in the peninsula. The referendum to join Russia did pass with 97 percent saying they would like to rejoin the country, although that number may have been inflated.

"When I receive this money, I feel like I am coming back to my homeland," said one woman who received her pension in Russian rubles.

Crimeans going to the pension office to receive money are now receiving their payment in only Russian rubles. Many people are also switching their Ukrainian passports to new Russian passports.

"I was here when they changed Russian passports to the Ukrainian. Now I am changing the Ukrainian passport back to Russian, meaning, at least at the end of my life i will remain Russian," said one passport applicant.

These changes come not long after Ukraine, admitting defeat, ordered a complete withdrawal of all Ukrainian troops in the region. They shifted their focus to the increasing number of Russian troops on their eastern border.

[NYT]