This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26386946

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Ukrainian ex-leader Viktor Yanukovych vows fightback Ukrainian ex-leader Viktor Yanukovych vows fightback
(35 minutes later)
Viktor Yanukovych has vowed to fight for Ukraine, in his first public appearance since being ousted as president last week.Viktor Yanukovych has vowed to fight for Ukraine, in his first public appearance since being ousted as president last week.
Speaking in Russia, he said he was "not overthrown" but was compelled to leave Ukraine after threats to his life.Speaking in Russia, he said he was "not overthrown" but was compelled to leave Ukraine after threats to his life.
In the latest flare-up, Ukraine accused Russian troops of seizing two airports in Crimea - charges denied by Moscow.In the latest flare-up, Ukraine accused Russian troops of seizing two airports in Crimea - charges denied by Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a rapid return to normality in Ukraine.Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a rapid return to normality in Ukraine.
Mr Putin spoke to Western leaders to emphasise "the extreme importance of not allowing a further escalation of violence", the Kremlin said.Mr Putin spoke to Western leaders to emphasise "the extreme importance of not allowing a further escalation of violence", the Kremlin said.
In other developments:In other developments:
'Bandit coup''Bandit coup'
"I intend to continue to struggle for the future of Ukraine, against terror and fear," Mr Yanukovych told the news conference in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. "I intend to continue to struggle for the future of Ukraine, against terror and fear," Mr Yanukovych told the news conference in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
"I can't find words to characterise this new authority. These are people who advocate violence - the Ukrainian parliament is illegitimate.
"What's going on now is lawlessness, lack of authority, and terror. Decisions in parliament were taken under duress.""What's going on now is lawlessness, lack of authority, and terror. Decisions in parliament were taken under duress."
He apologised to the Ukrainian people for not having "enough strength to keep stability" and described his usurpers as "young, neo-fascists".He apologised to the Ukrainian people for not having "enough strength to keep stability" and described his usurpers as "young, neo-fascists".
He insisted he did not "flee anywhere", explaining that his car was shot at as he left Kiev for the north-east city of Kharkiv and he was forced to move around Ukraine amid fears for the safety of himself and his family. He insisted he did not "flee anywhere", explaining that his car was shot at as he left Kiev and he was forced to move around Ukraine amid fears for the safety of himself and his family.
He said he arrived in Russia "thanks to a patriotically-minded young officer" and was given refuge in Rostov, near the Ukrainian border, by an old friend. He said he arrived in Russia "thanks to a patriotically-minded young officer" and was given refuge in Rostov by an old friend.
Speaking in Russian, Mr Yanukovych said he would return to Ukraine "as soon as there are guarantees for my security and that of my family".Speaking in Russian, Mr Yanukovych said he would return to Ukraine "as soon as there are guarantees for my security and that of my family".
But he ruled out taking part in elections planned for 25 May, describing them as "illegal".But he ruled out taking part in elections planned for 25 May, describing them as "illegal".
And he made clear his view that the only way out of the crisis is to implement an EU-backed compromise agreement he signed with opposition leaders last week before he was deposed. And he said the only way out of the crisis is to implement an EU-backed compromise agreement he signed with opposition leaders last week before he was deposed.
He said the current turmoil in Crimea was "an absolutely natural reaction to the bandit coup that occurred in Kiev" and added that he was surprised by the restraint shown by Russian President Vladimir Putin so far. The current turmoil in Crimea was "an absolutely natural reaction to the bandit coup that occurred in Kiev", he said, adding that he was surprised by the restraint shown by Russian President Vladimir Putin so far.
But he also stressed that "military action in this situation is unacceptable" and said he wanted Crimea to remain part of Ukraine. But he stressed that "military action in this situation is unacceptable" and said he wanted Crimea to remain part of Ukraine.
Earlier, Ukraine's general prosecutor said he would ask Russia to extradite Mr Yanukovych on suspicion of mass murder following the deaths of more than 80 people in last week's violent clashes between protesters and the police.
'Armed invasion''Armed invasion'
Armed men took over Sevastopol and Simferopol airports in the early hours of Friday.Armed men took over Sevastopol and Simferopol airports in the early hours of Friday.
Acting national security chief Andriy Parubiy said the airports were back in the control of the Ukrainian authorities, but the men were now manning checkpoints on the surrounding roads.Acting national security chief Andriy Parubiy said the airports were back in the control of the Ukrainian authorities, but the men were now manning checkpoints on the surrounding roads.
Witnesses also reported seeing Russian army trucks and helicopters in and around the regional capital Simferopol and Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based.Witnesses also reported seeing Russian army trucks and helicopters in and around the regional capital Simferopol and Sevastopol, where Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based.
The move on the airports prompted Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov to accuse Russia of carrying out an "armed invasion and occupation in violation of all international agreements and norms". The move on the airports prompted Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov to accuse Russia of carrying out an "armed invasion" of Crimea.
Moscow denied any involvement. Russia denied any involvement with the takeover at the airport, but confirmed its armoured vehicles had been on the move around Crimea for "security" reasons.
On Thursday, a group of unidentified armed men entered Crimea's parliament building by force, and hoisted a Russian flag on the roof.On Thursday, a group of unidentified armed men entered Crimea's parliament building by force, and hoisted a Russian flag on the roof.
They were still in the building when the Crimean parliament later announced it would hold a referendum on expanding the region's autonomy from Ukraine on 25 May.They were still in the building when the Crimean parliament later announced it would hold a referendum on expanding the region's autonomy from Ukraine on 25 May.
Crimea is becoming the lynchpin of a struggle between Ukraine's new leaders and those loyal to Russia, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says.Crimea is becoming the lynchpin of a struggle between Ukraine's new leaders and those loyal to Russia, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says.
Crimea - where ethnic Russians are in a majority - was transferred from Russia to Ukraine in 1954. The majority of people in Crimea are ethnic Russians, but ethnic Ukrainians loyal to Kiev and Muslim Tatars - whose animosity towards Russia stretches back to Stalin's deportations during World War Two - have formed an alliance to oppose any move back towards Moscow.
Ethnic Ukrainians loyal to Kiev and Muslim Tatars - whose animosity towards Russia stretches back to Stalin's deportations during World War Two - have formed an alliance to oppose any move back towards Moscow.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions