Simferopol

Pro-Russian Cossacks rally outside the Crimean parliament building, in Simferopol, Feb. 28, 2014.

According to media reports Russian soldiers have occupied the airport at nearby Sevastapol while soldiers whose identity could not be initally confirmed have stationed themselves at Simferopol International Airport.

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Simferopol

Crimean Tatars clash with a police officer , left, in front of a local government building in Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine, Feb. 26, 2014.

About 20,000 Muslim Tatars who rallied in support of the interim government clashed with a smaller pro-Russian rally.

Fistfights broke out between pro- and anti-Russian demonstrators in Ukraine's strategic Crimea region on Wednesday as Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered massive military exercises just across the border.

Credit: Andrew Lubimov/AP

Simferopol

Ukrainian men help pull one another out of a stampede during clashes at rallies held by ethnic Russians and Crimean Tatars near the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

President Vladimir Putin put Russian combat troops on high alert for a drill on Wednesday, the Kremlin's most powerful gesture yet after days of sabre rattling since its ally Viktor Yanukovich was toppled as president of Ukraine.

Thousands of ethnic Russians, who form the majority in Ukraine's Crimea region, demonstrated for independence for the peninsula that hosts part of Moscow's Black Sea Fleet. They scuffled with rival demonstrators, mainly from the Tatar minority, who support the new authorities in Kiev.

Credit: Baz Ratner/Reuters

Simferopol

A Ukrainian man walks after being injured in a stampede during clashes at rallies held by ethnic Russians and Crimean Tatars near the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

Credit: Baz Ratner/Reuters

Simferopol

An unidentified armed man patrols a square in front of the airport in Simferopol, Ukraine, Feb. 28, 2014. Russian military were blocking the airport in the Black Sea port of Sevastopol in Crimea near the Russian naval base while unidentified men were patrolling another airport serving the regional capital, Ukraine's new Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said on Friday.

Credit: Andrew Lubimov/AP

Simferopol

Pro-Russian supporters rally outside the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 28, 2014.

Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Simferopol

Pro-Russian demonstrators march with a huge Russian flag during a protest in front of a local government building in Simferopol, Feb. 27, 2014.

Credit: Darko Vojinovic/AP

Simferopol

Crimean Tatars shout slogans during a protest in front of a local government building in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

Credit: Darko Vojinovic/AP

Simferopol

Pro-Russian protesters, right, clash with Crimean Tatars in front of a local government building in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

Credit: Darko Vojinovic/AP

Simferopol

A man receives medical treatment after he was injured in a stampede during clashes at rallies held by ethnic Russians and Crimean Tatars near the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 26, 2014.

Credit: Baz Ratne/Reuters

Simferopol

People hold flags during a pro-Russian rally outside the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, Feb. 27, 2014.

Credit: David Mdzinarishvili/Reuters

Simferopol

People march under a giant Russian flag during a pro-Russian rally in Simferopol, Feb. 27, 2014.

Credit: David Mdzinarishvili/Reuters

Simferopol

Police stand guard outside the Crimea regional parliament building after parliamentarians voted for a May 25th referendum on Crimea's autonomy earlier in the day, in Simferopol, Ukraine, Feb. 27, 2014.

Credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images