'Russian naval forces' occupying Crimea airports

Russia has denied claims made by Ukraine that its servicemen are blocking airports.

17:29 28 February 2014

Both Sevatopol and Simferopol airports in the Crimean region were occupied by a group of men, whom Ukraine thinks as Russian soldiers.

According to reports, the group took over the structures on Friday and blocked the way to the airports. However, Andriy Parubiy, acting chairman of Ukraine’s National Security Council, provided an assurance that both airports are now under the control of Ukrainian authorities.

Relations between two countries have been on the rocks since Viktor Yanukovych was ousted as Ukrainian president last week. 

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov claimed that Russian soldiers have arrived at the Sevastopol military airport on Friday morning. In his Facebook page, he said that he considers the action to be an “arm[ed] invasion and occupation in violation of all international agreements and norms.”

The airport occupation took place following an incident where unidentified armed men entered Crimea’s parliament building by force. These recent moves are understood to be strategies to raise fears of unrest in the area, which traditionally leans towards Russia.

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State John Kerry has called on all sides to "step back and avoid any kind of provocations".