With a strong Russian presence - and flag - lingering in the Crimean capital Simferopol, residents feel at ease.<br/> <br />As they walk through the city, a newspaper headline attempts to reassure peace.<br/> <br />"We don't shoot on our brothers" reads the headline under a photo of Ukrainian and Russian soldiers.<br/> <br />Now residents hope Crimea's March 30 referendum brings even more calm.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MAN IN THE STREET, VLADIMIR GONCHAROV, SAYING<br/> <br />"The situation is great, totally peaceful. The situation is developing towards a referendum because all Crimeans want that. Russians as well as Ukrainians and Crimean Tartars. In principle, naturally it is a reaction to the nightmare that took place in Kiev."<br/> <br />The vote, which is expected to make the peninsula sovereign, is widely seen as a prelude for separating from Ukraine.<br/> <br />It's also seen as a prelude to becoming a Russian protectorate.<br/> <br />Russian forces have seized airports and government buildings in the region.
