Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vladimir Zhirinovsky greets pro-Russian people prior to his speach on the main square of Sevastopol on February 28, 2014. Ukrainian authorities said Friday they had regained control of two Crimean airports seized during an "armed invasion" by Russian forces that prompted the country's new pro-EU leaders to appeal for protection from the West. The spiralling tensions in a nation torn between the West and Russia are set to take another dramatic turn when ousted president Viktor Yanukovych briefs reporters in Russia on Friday after winning protection from Moscow. The head of Ukraine's security and defence council said Russian soldiers and local pro-Kremlin militia were responsible for the dawn raids on Crimea's main airport and another base on the southwest of the peninsula where pro-Moscow sentiment runs high. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV

Vice Chairman of the Russian State Duma Vladimir Zhirinovsky (C, right) greets pro-Russian people prior to his speach on the main square of Sevastopol on February 28, 2014. Ukrainian authorities said Friday they had regained control of two Crimean airports seized during an "armed invasion" by Russian forces that prompted the country's new pro-EU leaders to appeal for protection from the West. The spiralling tensions in a nation torn between the West and Russia are set to take another dramatic turn when ousted president Viktor Yanukovych briefs reporters in Russia on Friday after winning protection from Moscow. The head of Ukraine's security and defence council said Russian soldiers and local pro-Kremlin militia were responsible for the dawn raids on Crimea's main airport and another base on the southwest of the peninsula where pro-Moscow sentiment runs high. AFP PHOTO/ VASILIY BATANOV