(Vatican Radio)Thousands of additional Russian troops have entered Ukraine, despite
warnings from U.S. President Barack Obama there “will be costs for any military intervention.”
Video
footage recorded from a car showed several apparently Russian helicopters flying over
Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, which once belonged to Russia.
Ukraine's
Defense Ministry said an additional 6,000 troops were believed to be in Crimea.
Russia's
Foreign Ministry claimed it had informed the Ukrainian government that armoured units
from the Black Sea Fleet base near the city of Sevastopol had entered Crimea.
Moscow
claimed the mission was aimed at protecting Black Sea Fleet positions, and later said
it acted on the request of Crimea's pro-Russian Prime Minister Sergei Aksyonov.
But
in Washington, speaking from the White House, U.S. President Barack Obama expressed
deep concern over what Ukraine interim government has called an "armed invasion".
"We
are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation
inside of Ukraine," Obama said. "Any violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial
integrity would be deeply destabilizing, which is not in the interest of Ukraine,
Russia, or Europe," he stressed.
"It would represent a profound interference
in matters that must be determined by the Ukrainian people. It would be a clear violation
of Russia’s commitment to respect the independence and sovereignty and borders of
Ukraine, and of international laws," Obama added.
President Obama warned
of a Western response and made clear that the Russian military movements undermine
years of public relations and 50 billion dollars spent on the recent Winter Olympic
Games, which were aimed at showing a new Russia.
"Just days after the
world came to Russia for the Olympic Games, it would invite the condemnation of nations
around the world. And indeed, the United States will stand with the international
community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine,"
he said.
Amid the geopolitical battle resembling the Cold War, armed forces
could still be seen at key sites in Crimea early Saturday.
Armed men
in unmarked uniforms, described by Ukraine's government as Russian troops, have occupied
several transportation hubs in Crimea including two airports and were seen blocking
a road between the cities Simferopol and Sevastopol.
A Russian warship
was reported to have blockaded the entrance to the bay at Balaklava, the home of the
Ukrainian coast guard.
Armed men earlier occupied or blockaded the regional
parliament and other government sites.
The latest military tensions pose
a serious challenge for Ukraine's new interim government, which also deals with a
nation it says is on the brink of collapse after billions of dollars allegedly disappeared
under ousted President Viktor Yanukovich, who is in neighboring Russia.
Yanukovich
said Friday he still regards himself as the legitimate leader despite being wanted
in Ukraine for allegedly ordering security forces to shoot at unarmed demonstrators
during clashes in which more than 80 people died, charges he strongly denies. Listen
to this report by Stefan Bos