Ukraine clashes erupt between opposition, Russia-leaning backers of ousted President Viktor Yanukovich in Crimea
SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine -- Police struggled to keep apart rival groups holding competing rallies Wednesday in Ukraine's largely pro-Russian Crimea region where the regional parliament was to hold a crisis session on the turmoil that has gripped the country.
Over 10,000 Muslim Crimean Tatars rallied in support of Ukraine's interim leaders, waving Ukrainian flags and chanting "Ukraine is not Russia" and "Allahu Akbar," while a smaller pro-Russian rally nearby called for stronger ties with Russia and waved Russian flags.
Police and leaders from both sides were struggling to keep the two groups apart, as protesters shouted and punched each other in ongoing scuffles.
Crimean Tatars took an active part in the protest movement against Yanukovich and harbor deep resentment against the Kremlin, having been deported en masse on the orders of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin during the World War II.
"We will not let the fate of our land to be decided without us," said Nuridin Seytablaev, 54, an engineer. "We are ready to fight for Ukraine and our European future."
Nearby, separated by police lines, Anton Lyakhov, 52, waved a Russian flag. "Only Russian can defend us from fascists in Kiev and from Islamic radicals in Crimea."
On Tuesday, a Russian lawmaker visiting Crimea said Moscow would protect the region's Russian-speaking residents, raising concern that Russia could be trying to justify military action.
Valentina Matvienko, speaker of the Federation Council, the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, on Wednesday dismissed claims that Russia could conduct a military operation in Ukraine. "That scenario is impossible," she said.
"Russia has been stating and reiterating its stance that we have no right and cannot interfere in domestic affairs of a sovereign state," said Matvienko, a close Putin ally who was born in western Ukraine. "We are for Ukraine as a united state, and there should be no basis for separatist sentiments."
Matvienko's comments came, however, as President Putin ordered an urgent drill to test the combat readiness of the armed forces across western Russia, news agencies reported, flexing Moscow's military muscle amid tension with the West over Ukraine.
"In accordance with an order from the president of the Russian Federation, forces of the Western Military District were put on alert at 1400 (1000 GMT) today," Interfax quoted Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying.
Visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns said in a statement, meanwhile, that the U.S. would "continue to firmly support Ukraine's unity and territorial integrity, and healthy relations with all of its neighbors, including Russia."
In the statement released Wednesday, Burns said he had stressed in a litany of meetings with Ukrainian and European officials the urgent need for interim leaders in Kiev to "form a multi-party, technical government that represents all regions of Ukraine. Once that government is formed, we and our international partners can begin to take immediate steps to help support Ukraine economically and implement the reforms necessary to restore Ukraine's political and economic health."
Arsen Avakov wrote on his Facebook page that he has signed a decree to disband the force known as Berkut and said more detail would be announced later.
Anti-government protesters have blamed Berkut for violent attacks against peaceful demonstrators protesting authorities' decision to ditch closer ties with the European Union and turn to Moscow instead. Those attacks galvanized long-brewing anger against police and the protests quickly grew into a massive movement, attracting crowds exceeding 100,000 and establishing an extensive tent camp in the capital's main downtown square.
The force, whose name means "golden eagle," consisted of about 5,000 officers. It was unclear Wednesday if its members would be dismissed or if they would be reassigned to other units.
Yanukovich and protest leaders signed an agreement last week to end the conflict that left more than 80 people dead in just a few days in Kiev. Shortly after, Yanukovich fled the capital for his powerbase in eastern Ukraine but his exact whereabouts are unknown.
On Wednesday, Yanukovich's three predecessors as Ukraine's president issued a statement accusing Russia of "direct interference in the political life of Crimea."
The turmoil has raised concern that Ukraine is facing a split between Russian-speaking regions, which include Yanukovich's home area in the east, and the Ukrainian-speaking west.