On Friday, Russian speaking militias seized the airports in Sevastopol and Simferopol. They have also set up roadblocks and checkpoints along all of the roads, through the area. All of those in the airport appear to be extremely well armed and dressed in a military style, not that of a suddenly formed militia.
In other areas, including around the airport, more basically uniformed and armed groups were patrolling. Those groups proudly admit to being part of Crimea's militias, whereas those inside the airports refused to state who they belonged to. In some cases the admitted militias kept reporters from approaching the unidentified forces.
Unconfirmed reports state that Russian military helicopters landed at the Sevastopol airport and that Russian army trucks were seen moving from there towards Simferopol.
Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations accused Russia of sending troops into the Crimea and demanded that there be no further incursions. Other members of the government went further stating that the militias were Russian troops in disguise.
Russia quickly denied that their troops had left their bases, near Sevastopol, which they rent from Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that while their troops are conducting maneuvers, they have not violated Ukraine's sovereignty.
Meanwhile, in Russia, the Federal Assembly passed a series of bills which make it easier for Russia to annex territory and simplified the process by which Ukrainian citizens could switch to a Russian citizenship.
Also on Friday, former president Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted last Saturday, held a press conference in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. He reiterated his claims to still be Ukraine's president and pledged to fight until he reclaimed his rightful position.
Crimea's regional government is now calling itself an autonomous republic, and is said to be considering whether it should enforce that status upon the country, completely separate from Ukraine as it's own country, or separate and join Russia.
Concerns are growing that Russia is waiting for something to give them provocation for an invasion. Things in Crimea are approaching a very familiar series of events that Russia used as it's reasoning to invade the country of Georgia, "in the name of peace".
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