SIMFEROPOL, March 12 - Crimea will take ownership of Ukrainian state companies on its territory, including the region's Black Sea natural gas fields, its first deputy prime minister said, cementing the region's independence before a referendum on joining Russia, Reuters reported.

Crimea, a southern Ukrainian region which is home to the Russian Black Sea fleet, will vote on Sunday on whether to join Russia. Since pro-Russian separatists took control of the regional parliament almost two weeks ago, it has declared Crimea part of the Russian Federation.