Shots fired: The latest on the Ukraine / Russia military crisis

As 300 Ukrainian demanded to have their jobs back at Belbek air base in Crimea, Russian soldiers have fired warnings shots into the air.

16:08 04 March 2014

The stand-off between Ukraine and Russia has led to the firing of first warning shots as 300 Ukrainian troops went over to Belbek air base in Crimea asking for their jobs back. The unarmed troops went to the base unarmed while waving Ukrainian flags. Russian soldiers warned them to not approach before they fired several shots into the air.

There are about 16,000 Russian troops in the region who have surrounded a military base near the Crimean capital Simferopol and this prevents Ukrainian solders from going in or out.

The US government, who suspended all military engagements with Russia after deploying troops in Crimea, said that the move is in clear violation of international law.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered troops who are taking part in military exercises close to the Ukrainian border to return to their permanent bases on Tuesday.

Russian ambassador Vitaly Churkin, issued a statement dated March 1, saying: "The country has plunged into chaos and anarchy.

"The country is in the grip of outright terror and violence driven by the West. People are persecuted on political and language grounds.

"In this context, I appeal to the President of Russia Vladimir V Putin to use the armed forces of the Russian Federation to re-establish the rule of law, peace, order, stability and to protect the people of Ukraine."