Crisis in Ukraine

Tension and fears are mounting

OSCE observers negotiate with an armed guard at a checkpoint heading to Crimea.

Coarse actions by pro-Russian troops in Crimea this week were followed by harsh words out of Moscow on Saturday.

On Friday, pro-Russian troops reportedly tried to smash open the gates of a Ukrainian base. Russia's navy trapped Ukrainian ships. And armed men refused to allow military observers from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to enter Ukraine's Crimea region.

On Saturday, Moscow chastised the OSCE. Condemn violence by demonstrators in Kiev that led to the ouster of Ukraine's former President first, the foreign ministry said, according to a report in state-run news agency RIA Novosti.

Then think about Crimea.

"Some OSCE members and executive bodies have acted in the worst traditions of double standards while dealing with the situation in Ukraine," the ministry reportedly said.

U.S. President Barack Obama has suggested a solution to the Crimea crisis to Russian President Vladimir Putin that would replace Russian troops with international monitors, who would protect ethnic Russians, should they be threatened.

Russian lawmakers have welcomed Crimean separatists with open arms, and Putin has said he would use force to protect ethnic Russians in Ukraine, if needed.

CNN teams are in Ukraine and Crimea as well as Moscow, Washington and other centers of power. Check below for updates of news as it breaks and read our comprehensive full story here.

And here are some other pieces that break down what is happening:

3rd & 7 37yd

Civilians stand between Ukrainian troops inside a military base at the Crimean village of Perevalnoye and unmarked men in fatigues outside it.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 7:38:16 AM
Ukrainian troops peer over the barbed wire at the
unmarked, gun-wielding men poised at the entrance of their Crimean base.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 7:41:30 AM
Civilians in Crimea stand between Ukrainian troops inside a military base and unmarked men in fatigues outside it. bit.ly/1fDJn13

by cnnbrk via twitter retweeted by fpleitgenCNN 3/4/2014 7:47:15 AM
Could the Russia invasion be justified? CNN's Anderson Cooper looks at the indirect role NATO and the European Union may have played in Russia's decision to invade Ukraine.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 8:01:03 AM
At least 700 Ukrainian soldiers and officers defected Tuesday, announcing their readiness to defend the population of Crimea, Russia’s state-news agency Ria-Novosti reports citing a spokesperson for the newly installed Crimean authority.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 8:21:11 AM
Report: Russia orders troops to return from Ukraine's doorstep
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops that had been taking part in military exercises near the Ukrainian border to return to their bases, Russia's state-news agency RIA-Novosti said Tuesday.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 8:23:08 AM
Up to Speed: What you need to know about the Russia-Ukraine standoff
The upheaval in Ukraine has spiraled into an increasingly tense dispute between Russia and the West.
The United States and many European countries are demanding that Moscow scale back its deployment of troops in Ukraine's southern region of Crimea. But Russian President Vladimir Putin so far appears unfazed by the pressure.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 8:24:56 AM
Military & diplomatic options in Ukraine. "The U.S. could move forces ... over to Europe," Brigadier General Kevin Ryan said on possible U.S. military moves involving the Ukraine.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 8:30:05 AM
Russian troops and vehicles remain near Ukraine's eastern border with Russia, Sergey Astahov, assistant to the head of the Ukraine Security Border Service told CNN.
Ukrainian security services are relying on local eye-witnesses reports of a continued Russian presence, according to Astahov.
Russia announced Tuesday that military exercises taking place near the Ukrainian border have concluded and troops have been ordered back to their bases.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 8:32:07 AM
700 Ukrainian soldiers and officers defected today, Russia's state news agency said. bit.ly/Npaszh

by cnnbrk via twitter retweeted by fpleitgenCNN 3/4/2014 8:33:27 AM
“We will do everything possible and impossible to not allow the bloodshed. I am appealing to the media and everyone who is listening that there is no danger to the people of Crimea from the Ukrainian Navy. The soldiers, who are in service of the Ukrainian Navy forces, have family and relatives in the cities of the Crimea. In terms of the use of weapons, I gave a straight command to the officers of the Ukrainian Navy forces to do all not to allow the use of the weapons and prevent the bloodshed” -- Acting Ukrainian Naval Commander-in-Chief, Serhei Gadyuk told reporters Tuesday.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 8:54:22 AM
Crimean Tatar TV showed a confrontation Tuesday between Ukrainian soldiers and Russian forces at Belbek Air Base near Sevastopol in Crimea. Russian forces were seen firing shots into the air, warning unarmed Ukrainian soldiers not to approach them. The Ukrainians were seen walking toward them carrying a Soviet-era military banner and Ukrainian flag. At one point, a Ukrainian leading the troops referred to the two sides as “brother nations” and called for negotiations. During the standoff, the camera panned to a Russian soldiers with sniper rifles and an RPG trained on the Ukrainians.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 8:59:30 AM
The Ukrainian Consulate in Istanbul denied Russian media reports that the flagship vessel of Ukraine's Black Sea fleet had defected to Russia.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 9:11:02 AM
Sen. John McCain weighs in on Ukraine. McCain slams the Obama administration for a "total and fundamental misreading of Putin and his ambition."

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 9:11:43 AM
On the ground in Crimea: Relaxed but eerie
For a Russian invasion, it all feels very strange. The vibe on the ground in Crimea ebbs and flows from feeling like an eerie standoff to relaxed normalcy.
Crimea has become the flashpoint in a geopolitical crisis that's got London, Washington, the U.N. and NATO flustered. But so far, there isn't much of a dust up in the actual place where the troops invaded.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 9:14:42 AM
Opinion: A divided Ukraine? Think again
A Russian-speaking Ukrainian gives her take on the notion of a nation divided.
Maia Mikhaluk is a freelance photographer and Christian ministry worker in Ukraine. She has been participating in protests in the country ever since former President Viktor Yanukovych reversed a decision to sign a trade deal with the European Union and instead turned toward Russia, a move that sparked mass demonstrations in the country's capital, Kiev.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 9:32:00 AM
Dealing with Russian President Putin. Jim Sciutto looks back at President Obama's relationship with the Russian leader.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 9:43:35 AM
20 questions: What is Russia's interest in Ukraine?
Russia approved the use of military force in Ukraine on Saturday, despite warnings of consequences from the West, and Ukraine responded by saying any invasion into its territory would be illegitimate.
The acting prime minister has gone so far as to say that a Russian invasion would mean war and an end to his country's relationship with Russia.
But there are so many questions as to how Ukraine arrived at this point: Why is Russia so interested in happenings there? Why does the West want to prevent Russian intervention? How did we get here? Why have thousands of protesters staked their lives, seemingly, on their desire for political change? And why has the government resisted their calls so vehemently?

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:07:25 AM
America's diplomatic options in Ukraine. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul does not think Putin "thought out the endgame" on the Ukraine invasion.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:15:02 AM
Ukraine crisis: Russia stands firm despite rebukes, threats of sanctions
Russia showed no signs of backing down Monday even as world leaders threatened sanctions and sternly rebuked the country for sending troops into Ukraine.
At an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting to discuss the unfolding crisis, Ukraine's envoy asked for help, saying that Russia had used planes, boats and helicopters to flood the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea with 16,000 troops in the past week.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:30:51 AM
Russians are "very much in control" Reporters on the ground in Kiev and Crimea discuss what life is like in Ukraine since the Russian invasion.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:37:45 AM
The new government in Ukraine came to power as the result of a coup, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:38:49 AM
The ousted president of Ukraine did not give orders to shoot demonstrators, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:39:11 AM
At least 700 Ukrainian soldiers defect, Russia says, learn more: cnn.it/1n5NrxI #EarlyStart http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bh4F4w2CUAADBtt.png

by Early Start CNN via twitter retweeted by fpleitgenCNN 3/4/2014 10:40:40 AM
BREAKING: Putin speaking now. Turn on @EarlyStart for latest (strange image...Putin alone slouched in chair)

by John Berman via twitter retweeted by fpleitgenCNN 3/4/2014 10:41:03 AM
The shaky new government in Ukraine has destabilized the southern and eastern parts of the country since taking power, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:41:36 AM
Live from #Brussels , Belgium this AM, @ErinCNN has the latest on the crisis in #Ukraine

by JBranchCNN via twitter retweeted by ErinCNN 3/4/2014 10:42:57 AM
The parliament in Ukraine is partly legitimate - but the acting president of Ukraine is not, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:45:08 AM
#NATO meeting in Brussels under way. Fourth time article 4 has been invoked in the past 65 years. Meeting requested by Poland.

by Erin McLaughlin via twitter 3/4/2014 10:46:45 AM
"The acting president of course is not legitimate. The legitimate president is only Yanukovich" - #Putin on situation in Ukraine @CNN

by New Day via twitter retweeted by ErinCNN 3/4/2014 10:47:11 AM
Russian military exercises near Ukraine this week were not related to the recent unrest in that country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. He said the exercises were planned months ago.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:47:48 AM
Ousted Viktor Yanukovych is the legitimate leader of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:48:02 AM
BREAKING: Ukraine's ousted president gave no orders to shoot demonstrators; new government came to power in coup, says Russia's Putin.

by cnni via twitter retweeted by ErinCNN 3/4/2014 10:48:27 AM
Russian military exercises near Ukraine this week were not related to the recent unrest in that country, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. He said the exercises were planned months ago.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:49:49 AM
Ukraine is a brotherly neighbor of Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. Russian and Ukrainian troops in the Crimean region of eastern Ukraine have much in common, he said.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:52:48 AM
No shots have been fired by Russian troops since they crossed into Crimea, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:53:21 AM
Life in Kiev and Crimea since the invasion. CNN's Ben Wedeman is in Crimea, where he says life "pretty much seems to be going on as normal."

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:56:33 AM
Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out Tuesday what he sees as a double standard by leaders in the United States and other Western countries who have criticized Russia's incursion into the Crimea region of eastern Ukraine. He said the United States acted in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya without a U.N. resolution authorizing that action or by "twisting" U.N. resolutions.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 10:58:11 AM
Western powers who advocate sanctions against Russia should realize that such measures will affect countries other than Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 11:00:15 AM
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday there is no legitimate president in Ukraine and there will not be until after elections are held.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 11:01:37 AM
Putin: Ukraine's new government is result of coup
Mincing no words, Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that ousted Ukrainian leader Viktor Yanukovych is the legitimate leader of the nation, and the country's interim government is the result of a coup.
Putin was speaking to reporters Tuesday, harshly critical of Kiev's new leaders.
He called the parliament in Ukraine "partly legitimate" but said the country's acting president is not.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 11:03:47 AM
Russia is not considering trying to make Crimea a part of Russia, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday. Only people who live in Crimea can determine their future, he said.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 11:05:39 AM
Putin saying he reserves right to do whatever necessary in East of country if people there also feel it's necessary, -@PhilBlackCNN #Ukraine

by New Day via twitter retweeted by fpleitgenCNN 3/4/2014 11:14:40 AM
24 hours of tension in Ukraine, Gunmen on the streets, tanks on the ground and uncertainty in the air. CNN's Anderson Cooper takes a look back at the last 24 hours.

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 11:24:58 AM
Russian President Vladimir Putin repeated his assertion Tuesday that the change of government in neighboring Ukraine came about as the result of an "anti-constitutional coup."

by CNN's Ed Payne 3/4/2014 11:27:03 AM