In a quickly called referendum, Crimea voters went to the polls on Sunday to choose whether to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.

With Crimea's electorate composed mostly of ethnic Russians, the referendum was widely expected to support a split from Ukraine. But with the Kiev government calling the vote illegitimate and with other countries saying they won't recognize the outcome, it remains to be seen what happens next.

Evgeny Feldman, a staff photographer for the Russian publication, Novaya Gazeta, spent the day in Crimea's main cities, Simferopol and Sevastopol, as the vote progressed under the watchful eyes of masked soldiers aligned with Russia.
A woman votes on the Crimean referendum in Simferopol in front of a Ukraine map.
A woman votes in Simferopol: Little tension could be seen in the voting booths, where most voters appeared to choose to make Crimea a part of Russia.
A woman votes in Simferopol on the Crimean referendum with voting booths draped in the colors of the Crimean flag.
Local residents, including a police officer, show identification to get their ballots from election commission members in Simferopol.
A Simferopol voter lets her son cast her ballot during the first hour of voting.
Armed police officers wearing the uniform of Ukraine Berkut riot police stand alongside road policeman on the streets of Simferopol.
Voters have two choices: Joining the Russian Federation or "restoration of 1992 Crimean Constitution and Crimea's status as a part of Ukraine."
Vitaly Milonov, Saint-Petersburg parliament deputy, who initiated Russia's anti-gay campaign and law, walks on a Sevastopol embankment.
At a rally in Sevastopol, Russia supporters decorate each other's cheeks with the Russian flag.
Russia supporters salute a statue of Russian empress Ekaterina II who founded Sevastopol.
An election commission member checks the ballot box in Sevastopol.
A ballot in favor of Crimea breaking away from Ukraine and becoming a part of Russia.
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