After being repeatedly refused entry to Crimea, unarmed OSCE military observers have been visiting other parts of Ukraine including the country’s east.

Authorities in Kyiv asked the European rights watchdog to go to Crimea but one monitor told euronews it has proved impossible.

“Originally the aim of the invitation was to get information on the Crimean peninsula,” said Hungarian Lieutenant Colonel Gabor Acs.

“We tried to get there four times but unfortunately all times we were refused entering (sic) by unknown armed and uniformed military personnel – exactly not military, because we don’t know whether they were military police – there was no clear identification on them.”

Russia and Crimea’s pro-Russian parliament have both backed election monitors but the OSCE does not plan to send any, judging Sunday’s
referendum illegal.