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Russian parliament approves troop deployment in Ukraine Russian parliament approves troop deployment in Ukraine
(35 minutes later)
Russia's upper house of parliament has approved President Putin's request for Russian forces to be used in Ukraine.Russia's upper house of parliament has approved President Putin's request for Russian forces to be used in Ukraine.
He had asked that Russian forces be used "until the normalisation of the political situation in the country".He had asked that Russian forces be used "until the normalisation of the political situation in the country".
Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based in the Ukrainian region of Crimea, where many ethnic Russians live.Russia's Black Sea Fleet is based in the Ukrainian region of Crimea, where many ethnic Russians live.
Kiev has reacted angrily to days of military movements in Crimea, accusing Moscow of trying to provoke the new government into an armed conflict.Kiev has reacted angrily to days of military movements in Crimea, accusing Moscow of trying to provoke the new government into an armed conflict.
Interim President Olexander Turchynov has called an emergency session of his security chiefs.Interim President Olexander Turchynov has called an emergency session of his security chiefs.
Meanwhile, big pro-Russian rallies have been held in several Ukrainian cities outside Crimea:
'Red line'
Russia's Vladimir Putin submitted the request for troops "in connection with the extraordinary situation in Ukraine and the threat to the lives of Russian citizens", the Kremlin said.Russia's Vladimir Putin submitted the request for troops "in connection with the extraordinary situation in Ukraine and the threat to the lives of Russian citizens", the Kremlin said.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says it is potentially significant that the request was for deployment in Ukraine as a whole, and not specifically for flash-points such as Crimea. The upper house went into a special session almost immediately after Mr Putin made the request, and swiftly approved it.
The upper house went into a special session almost immediately after Mr Putin made the request, in what seems to have been a carefully co-ordinated series of events during the day Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said, however, that this "does not mean that this right will be used quickly" to deploy troops.
Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was "deeply concerned" by Moscow's move and said he spoken to both his Russian counterpart and the Russian ambassador in London, urging them to calm the situation.
Top Ukrainian politician Vitali Klitschko has urged the interim government to declare a "national mobilisation".
The UN Security Council is expected to hold an emergency session in the coming hours, and EU foreign ministers will meet on Monday to discuss the situation.
The BBC's Richard Galpin in Moscow says it is potentially significant that Mr Putin's request was for deployment in Ukraine as a whole, and not specifically for flashpoints such as Crimea.
Earlier, the lower house of parliament had urged the president to take whatever measures were necessary to "stabilise" the situation in Crimea.Earlier, the lower house of parliament had urged the president to take whatever measures were necessary to "stabilise" the situation in Crimea.
During the upper house debate, one legislator accused US President Barack Obama of crossing "a red line" with his comments that there would be costs if Russia intervened militarily in Ukraine.During the upper house debate, one legislator accused US President Barack Obama of crossing "a red line" with his comments that there would be costs if Russia intervened militarily in Ukraine.
The upper house has recommended that the Russian ambassador the US should be recalled, although the decision lies with Mr Putin. The upper house has recommended that the Russian ambassador to the US should be recalled, although the decision lies with Mr Putin.
'Provocation' President Putin's request follow days of military activity in Crimea during which unidentified armed men moved in to take over the regional parliament, state television and telecommunications hubs.
The request follow days of military activity in Crimea during which unidentified armed men moved in to take over the regional parliament, state television and telecommunications hubs.
Soldiers from Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which is based in Crimea, are reported to be guarding some administrative buildings and military bases.Soldiers from Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which is based in Crimea, are reported to be guarding some administrative buildings and military bases.
Amid the closure of airspace over Crimea's regional capital Simferopol on Friday evening, there were unconfirmed reports that Russian planes were flying in thousands of troops.Amid the closure of airspace over Crimea's regional capital Simferopol on Friday evening, there were unconfirmed reports that Russian planes were flying in thousands of troops.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh said on Saturday there are now an extra 6,000 Russian troops in Crimea, alongside an additional 30 armoured vehicles.Ukrainian Defence Minister Ihor Tenyukh said on Saturday there are now an extra 6,000 Russian troops in Crimea, alongside an additional 30 armoured vehicles.
Under the agreement governing the presence of the fleet in Crimea, the Russians must co-ordinate all troop movements outside the fleet's base with the Ukrainian authorities beforehand.Under the agreement governing the presence of the fleet in Crimea, the Russians must co-ordinate all troop movements outside the fleet's base with the Ukrainian authorities beforehand.
The newly-elected pro-Moscow leader of Crimea, Sergiy Aksyonov, earlier said he had appealed to Mr Putin for help to ensure peace on the peninsula - a request which the Kremlin said it would "not leave unnoticed".The newly-elected pro-Moscow leader of Crimea, Sergiy Aksyonov, earlier said he had appealed to Mr Putin for help to ensure peace on the peninsula - a request which the Kremlin said it would "not leave unnoticed".
Events in Crimea have angered the new interim government in Kiev - which does not recognise the province's new leadership - and has alarmed Western leaders. Mr Aksyonov is not recognised by the new interim government in Kiev, which signed a decree on Saturday that his election this week was illegal.
President Turchynov accused Russia of trying to provoke Kiev into "armed conflict", but said they would not react. Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk also condemned as a "provocation" the presence of Russian soldiers in Crimea and said "we demand that Russian soldiers return to their permanent bases".
"We are taking no steps that could provoke a violent confrontation," he said at his first cabinet meeting. "All responsibility for the escalation of the conflict lies personally at the leadership of the Russian Federation."
US President Barack Obama said on Friday that "any violation of Ukraine sovereignty... would be deeply destabilising".US President Barack Obama said on Friday that "any violation of Ukraine sovereignty... would be deeply destabilising".
He warned of the "costs" of any Russian intervention in the Ukraine and commended the interim government in Kiev for its "restraint".He warned of the "costs" of any Russian intervention in the Ukraine and commended the interim government in Kiev for its "restraint".
Meanwhile, big pro-Russian rallies are being held in several Ukrainian cities outside Crimea.
Are you in the Crimea region of Ukraine? What is your reaction to this news of Russian troop deployment? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine' in the subject heading and including your contact details.