Russia was today accused of an “armed invasion and occupation” of Ukraine as men carrying Kalashnikov assault rifles seized key sites in the country’s south-east.
Ukraine’s interior minister Arsen Avakov said Russian forces blockaded an airport in the Black Sea city of Sevastopol where the Kremlin has a naval base.
A local TV station reported that a Russian missile boat had blocked the entrance to Balaklava Bay, close to the city, and Russian marines were at a Ukrainian border post nearby.
Mr Avakov also said unidentified men had taken control of another airport serving Crimea’s regional capital Simferopol.
Russia denied it had forces at any airport but admitted stepping up operations by “anti-terror units” in Ukraine to protect naval staff.
It comes after Vladimir Putin put land, sea and air forces on high alert amid fears he was planning to annex Crimea. MPs in the Russian parliament today said they would submit a Bill making it easier for new territories to join the Russian Federation.
Ukraine’s ousted pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych was due to hold a press conference from Russia today after fleeing his country this week.
As events unfolded quickly this morning the Foreign Office said it was “very concerned” and the US called on all sides to “step back”.
Mr Avakov said: “I consider what has happened to be an armed invasion and occupation in violation of all international agreements and norms.” He spoke after dozens of men in unmarked military uniforms began patrolling Simferopol airport. They carried Russian flags but refused to talk to journalists.
Mr Avakov said they represented the Russian Federation. He also claimed Russian naval forces were specifically responsible for seizing Belbeck Airport near Sevastopol, where the Russian Black Sea fleet is based.
Witnesses there said that a heavily armed brigade warned people: “Do not approach, or we will shoot.”
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The fleet denied involvement at the airport but admitted ordering “anti-terror units” to protect areas of Crimea where the fleet was located “given the unstable situation”.
It comes a day after militants seized government buildings in Simferopol and raised the Russian flag over the regional parliament. President Putin this week put 150,000 troops on alert and launched military exercises.
Mr Yanukovych was pushed from power by a pro-Western opposition. In a statement he claimed to be Ukraine’s legitimate leader even though the parliament in Kiev has elected a new government.
Ukraine’s central bank has put a 15,000 hryvnia (£820) limit on daily bank withdrawals in hard currency.
The US and EU are backing the International Monetary Fund which has said it is “ready to respond” to shore up Ukraine’s new administration. The country is the chief conduit of Russian natural gas to Europe.
A Moscow court has ordered the house arrest of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who has criticised Mr Putin.
