Duma passes bill to include Crimea in Russia

The State Duma on Thursday passed a draft law to incorporate Crimea into Russia.

Under the new law, two new constituent territories will be included into Russia - the republic of Crimea and Sevastopol as a separate unit, a federal city.

The bill, introduced by President Vladimir Putin, was passed by a vote of 445 against one at a single and definitive reading. It would have needed a minimum of 300 votes to be approved.