Russia's president Vladimir Putin asked the upper chamber of Russian parliament to allow him to send military forces to Crimea, until the situation there normalizes. 

“With regard to the extraordinary situation in Ukraine, which threatens the lives of Russian citizens, our compatriots, in accordance with point 1 g, part 1, Article 102 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, I am asking the Council of the Federation to allow the deployment of Russian armed forces in the territory of Ukraine (Autonomous Republic of Crimea), until the public and political situation in the country normalizes”, reads a statement, released by the Kremlin press office.

Apparently, Putin's request will be considered promptly.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the Ukrainian border guard is taking the Ukrainian navy ships and cutters, based in Sevastopol, into the open sea, to avoid their capturing by Russian forces. 

At the same time in cities in eastern Ukraine citizens are raising Russian and Soviet flags and are trying to seize control of the regional authorities' building in Harkov.

Earlier today the acting president of Ukraine Alexandr Turchinov issued a decree declaring illegal the appointment of Serhiy Aksyonov as Crimean prime minister.