Ukrainian minister accuses Russia of “armed invasion”. Here’s what you need to know
Armed, unidentified men are blockading Sevastopol’s military airport in Crimea, with interior minister Arsen Avakov accusing Russian naval forces of occupying the Russian-majority region.
Writing on Facebook, he called the situation an “invasion and occupation”, adding that no conflict has yet taken place. The Russian navy has denied involvement.
Ukraine border guards have said more than 10 Russian military helicopters flew into Ukrainian airspace this morning.
Reports that another airport on the southwest peninsula has also been seized have also been made.
The acting security chief for the country has said a state of emergency may be declared in Crimea.
The European Commission has urged all sides to show moderation and restraint, saying the situation will need a political solution in order to be resolved.
Russia has backed fugitive former president Viktor Yanukovich, but Ukraine will be asking its neighbour to extradite him, if reports he’s in Russia are officially confirmed, the general prosecutor’s office said today.
The office has ordered the detention of 10 top former government, security and military officials on suspicion of mass murder in Kiev.
Yanukovich is set to speak at 1pm today, from the southern Russian port city of Rostov-on-Don. He asserted yesterday that he's still the legitimate president of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Swiss authorities have launched an investigation into money-laundering allegation against Yanukovich and his son.
And Liechtenstein has said it’ll freeze the assets of members of the former Ukrainain government, according to Reuters sources.
Foreign currency withdrawals are being restricted to around £820 a day by the Ukrainian central bank.
When it comes to market impact, Ishaq Siddiqi says that the situation is continuing to alarm investors, with equities falling into negative territory since the open.
With Russian armed forces on ground in Crimea, markets are worried about a drawn-out affair with the involvement of Russia and western powers. Ukraine desperately needs economic aid but with Russia holding cash back as it believes the new leadership who toppled Yanukovych is not legal. At the same time, the IMF and the EU, both of which are willing to provide aid, would only do so with strict conditions which is likely to devalue the Ukrainian currency, making it difficult for Ukraine’s new leaders to service debts.
Yanukovich news conference
Viktor Yanukovich has spoken at a news conference from Rostov – his first since he fled Ukraine.
The former president derided Western governments, blaming their “irresponsible policies” for the current political crisis in the country.
He said he never instructed Ukrainian police to shoot at protesters, and that the latter are to blame for the bloodshed. He warned his overthrowers they will be brought to justice.
Yanukovich is staying with a friend in Rostov, and hasn’t spoken to President Putin yet, adding that he’s surprised by his silence.
He said he has not asked Russia for military assistance: "I am categorically opposed to an invasion of Ukraine and the violation of its integrity".
When it comes to the new Ukrainian government, the ousted premier said it has no genuine authority, and are people who “preach violence”.
He said he was forced to leave the country and will return “as soon as the safety of [him and his] family can be guaranteed”.
Update: A petition's been launched by ethnic Russians living in Crimea urging Putin not to invite Ukraine’s autonomous region.
The new head of Crimean regional government has stated that Yanukovich is still president and he will take instructions form him.
And Moscow will participate in the IMF financial aid discussions, according to Reuters.