Uniformed and well-equipped armed men have occupied Sevastopol airport in the autonomous region of Crimea.
Ukraine’s interior minister Arsen Avakov has accused Russian naval forces of being behind the occupation, which he described as an “armed invasion”. However Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has denied any involvement.
The armed men have the support of the pro-Russian protesters in Sevastopol, but it remains unclear whether they are a Russian military unit or a well-equipped militia, with
The airport and government buildings in the regional capital of Simfrepol were occupied by pro-Russian militia men earlier in the week.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered to work with the West on a bailout plan for Ukraine, but he has also ordered the Russian military to perform war games and military exercises on the Ukrainian border.
Ousted Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych has asked for personal protection from Russia and is in Moscow preparing for a press conference later today, where he is expected to reiterate his belief that he remians Ukraine’s legitimate president.
