Russian Troops Try To Seize Ukraine Base

Russian troops have been attempting to seize a Ukrainian naval base in Crimea, according to reports.

The base, in Feodosia, is one of the few military facilities still flying a Ukrainian flag after Russia's annexation of Crimea.

A Ukrainian military spokesman told Reuters that the Russian forces were trying to force their way in to with the help of helicopters.

A soldier inside the base confirmed they were under attack.

There are fears Russian forces are eyeing Ukraine's Transdniestria region

Russian troops violently flushed out the remaining pockets of Ukrainian military influence in Crimea on Saturday, smashing armoured vehicles through the walls of Belbek air force base in a swift takeover.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week signed papers making Crimea part of Russia at a ceremony in Moscow, saying it was complying with international agreements and had no plans to invade.

It has also called the soldiers who took over Ukrainian bases in Crimea "self-defence forces".

General Breedlove is concerned about the size of Russia's troop build-up

Today leaders of the G7 nations will hold emergency talks on the crisis on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit.

The US and European Union have already targeted some of Mr Putin's closest political and business allies with personal sanctions and have threatened broader economic sanctions if his forces encroach on other parts of Ukraine with large Russian-speaking populations.

Germany, which has close trade ties with Moscow, said the EU was united in its readiness to impose sanctions on Russia if necessary.

"None of us wants to escalate, but if Russia changes things unilaterally, then it must know that we won't accept it and that relations will be bad," German finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said.

Prime Minister David Cameron has even suggested that Russia could be expelled from the G8 bloc of nations.

Armoured carriers smashed their way into the Belbek air base

With the G7 due to meet at the Hague, Nato's top commander in Europe warned that the Russian military force massing on the border was "very, very sizeable and very, very ready".

General Philip Breedlove said he was worried the Russian military could make a move for Moldova's breakaway Transdniestria region.

"There is absolutely sufficient force postured on the eastern border of Ukraine to run to Transdniestria if the decision was made to do that and that is very worrisome," he said.

Transdniestria, a narrow strip of land to Ukraine's southwest, already has a Russian military presence and most people there favour a union with the country.

Crimea landgrab 'cannot be won back', say experts

White House deputy national security adviser Tony Blinken echoed the suggestion that President Putin could be plotting further action.

"It's deeply concerning to see the Russian troop build-up on the border," he told CNN.

"It creates the potential for incidents, for instability. It's likely that what they're trying to do is intimidate the Ukrainians. It's possible that they're preparing to move in."

Speaking to Sky News, Ukraine's Ambassador to the UK, Volodymyr Khandogiy, said European powers had not done enough to help his country.

"The US is more resolute in their actions and words. We appreciate what Europe is doing (but) we would have liked a more aggressive approach," said Mr Khandogiy.

"If I'm asked if Europe has done enough I would say no."

Most experts agree there is no way of winning back Crimea.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia, accepted that Crimea was now "de facto" a part of Russia, but said the annexation set a "bad precedent".

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