Sevastopol Toasts End of Ukraine 'Occupation' after Crimea Vote

Russian flags were flying high in the historic naval city of Sevastopol Sunday as people looked forward to rejoining what many see as their homeland after a crunch referendum on Crimea's future.

Several thousand people -- many waving the white, blue and red Russian standard or holding flowers -- gathered for a celebratory concert in the city's Nakhimov Square, named after one of Russia's most illustrious admirals.

Shortly after polling closed, exit polls confirmed what spectators never doubted and showed that 93 percent of voters favored joining Russia and breaking away from Ukraine.

"We're free of the occupation," shouted Lucia Prokorovna, 60, carrying a giant Russian flag.

"Ukraine was attached to Crimea like a sack of potatoes. Today I visited the polling station -- I only slept half the night hoping for the moment we would be with Russia."

Russian rock band Lubeh, known for their patriotic songs, were at the event, drawing a young crowd who cheered as lead singer Igor Matvienko shouted "HurrahSevastopol!" and "Success for you!" between songs.

Samadova Viktorovna, 39, brought along her two children aged 11 and eight to the concert, which was marked by a conspicuous police and security presence plus plenty of alcohol.

"It's magnificent -- look at how many people are here," she said.

"We have big hopes because there has not been order in Ukraine for years."

The square is a stone's throw from the waters where Russian warships are stationed as part of the Black Sea Fleet -- a constant reminder of Moscow's influence over the city, both past and present.

Sevastopol was founded by Catherine the Great of Russia in 1783 and has been home to the fleet -- a strategically crucial naval unit which provides Moscow with access to the Mediterranean within a day's sailing -- ever since.

It was one of the Crimean War's main battlegrounds and was rebuilt under Joseph Stalin after being destroyed during World War II as German forces held the city under siege.

Sevastopol has a large majority of ethnic Russians among its 350,000 residents who yearn for Crimea to switch from being Ukrainian territory to being part of Russia, as it was until 1954.

Roman Zavut, a 21-year-old businessman wearing a leather jacket and with sunglasses on his head, was among those hoping that being part of Russia would help Sevastopol be known for its future as well as its past.

"The conditions... in Russia are much better," he said.

"In Ukraine, it's difficult to live because prices are always going up.

"I hope that the difference in the next 24 hours will not be noticeable but in the future life will be better -- petrol will be cheaper, public services will be cheaper, our town will be a priority for Russia."

Celebrations at the square started around lunchtime, long before polling stations closed. Final results for Sevastopol were expected at around 2030 GMT.