Armed men seize two airports in Ukraine's Crimea, Russia denies involvement Friday Feb 28,2014

Armed men took control of two airports in the Crimea region on Friday Feb 28,2014 inwhat Ukraine's government described as an invasion and occupation by Russian forces

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said Russian naval forces had taken over the military airport near the port of Sevastopol, where the Russian navy has its base, and other Russian forces had taken over Simferopol international airport.

 Armed Men block the road leading to Sevastopol Airport

But Russia's Black Sea fleet, which is based in the region, denied its forces were involved in seizing one of the airports

Ukraine's interim government has accused Russia of staging an armed invasion in southeastern Crimea after pro-Kremlin armed men seized two airports and government buildings as Kiev calls on the United Nations Security Council to hold a meeting to discuss the developments in the region

The Ukrainian Parliament has called for a UN Security Council meeting to discuss what is happening in Crimea, and urged Russia "to stop moves that show signs of undermining national sovereignty and territorial integrity" as well as "reject support for separatism in Ukraine, of any form".


Note

Crimea is an autonomous republic within Ukraine, electing its own parliament. However, the post of Crimean president was abolished in 1995, shortly after a pro-Russian Crimean separatist won the post with a big majority. It now has a presidential representative, and a prime minister, but both are appointed by Kiev(Ukraine)
a map of Crimea and bearing the words "Autonomous Republic of Crimea" 

 

The majority Russian-speaking Crimea region is of political and strategic significance to both Russia and Ukraine.The region - a peninsula on Ukraine's Black Sea coast - has 2.3 million inhabitants, most of whom identify themselves as ethnic Russians and speak Russian.

Ethnic Ukrainians made up 24% of the population in Crimea according to the 2001 census, compared with 58% Russians and 12% Tatars

Russia keeps a major naval base in the Crimean city of Sevastopol, where its Black Sea Fleet is based

Russia's Black Sea Fleet has its historic base at Sevastopol. After Ukraine gained independence, a leasing agreement was drawn up to allow the fleet to continue operating from there.

In 2010, this lease was extended to 2042 in exchange for Russia supplying discounted natural gas