Crimea's Tatars

A Crimean Tatar sits in the Khan Chair mosque after Friday prayers in Bakhchisaray, near Simferopol, Ukraine, March 7, 2014.

Earlier this month, Tatars of Ukraine's Crimea came out in their thousands, chanting "Allahu Akbar" in a show of loyalty to the new authorities in Kiev and opposition to separatist demands by the region's Russian ethnic majority.

But now, with Moscow's military forces having unexpectedly seized control, the indigenous Muslim people of the isolated Black Sea peninsula have all but vanished from the public square, keeping their heads down to avoid being sucked into war.

Ukraine

A Crimean Tatar chops firewood as others warm themselves around a fire on a night shift to keep watch against pro-Russian supporters near their houses on the outskirts of Simferopol, March 9, 2014.

An armed pro-Russian force wearing military uniforms bearing no designated markings sealed off another military airport in Ukraine's Crimea on Sunday, a defense ministry spokesman on the peninsula said.

Ukraine

Crimean Tatars listen to a sermon in the Khan Chair mosque in Bakhchisaray, near Simferopol, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

A Crimean Tatar arrives for Friday prayers at the Khan Chair mosque in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

A Crimean Tatar prays in the Khan Chair mosque in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

A Crimean Tatar prays in the Khan Chair mosque in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

Crimean Tatars talk after praying in the Khan Chair mosque in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

Crimean Tatars leave the Khan Chair mosque after Friday prayers in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

Crimean Tatars from the local community warm themselves inside a makeshift shelter as they organize shifts to keep watch against pro-Russian supporters near their houses on the outskirts of Simferopol, March 9, 2014.

Ukraine

Crimean Tatars leave the Khan Chair mosque after prayers in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

Crimean Tatars buy bread after praying in the Khan Chair mosque in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

Crimean Tatars pray in the Khan Chair mosque in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

Crimean Tatars gather for Friday prayers in the Khan Chair mosque in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

Crimean Tatars gather for Friday prayers in the Khan Chair mosque in Bakhchisaray, March 7, 2014.

Ukraine

A member of the local Crimean Tatar community looks out of a makeshift shelter to keep watch against pro-Russian supporters near their houses on the outskirts of Simferopol, March 9, 2014.