We’re going to wrap up our live blog coverage for the day. Here’s a summary of where things stand:

• Dozens of pro-Russia gunmen seized government buildings in Ukraine’s Crimea region, which houses Russia’s Black Sea fleet, and hoisted a Russian flag.

• The interim government in Kiev summoned Russia’s envoy and warned its neighbour against “military aggression”. Acting president Oleksandr Turchynov warned Russian forces not to venture out from their naval base in the Crimea region.

• Russia prepared to stage multi-day military exercises in the region to begin Friday. Moscow said the exercises were routine and had been previously planned. Russia reportedly put fighter jets on its western border on alert.

• The White House warned Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and avoid “provocative” actions. US secretary of state John Kerry spoke with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov and said the two had agreed to cooperate in the crisis.

• NATO’s top military commander played down tension with Russia over Ukraine, saying the Western military alliance had made no plans to respond to any Russian intervention in Crimea.

• Deposed Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovich announced from Russia that he would make a statement Friday from the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don. Yanukovich still claims the presidency. The White House said he had “abdicated his responsibility” and left a “void”.

• The Ukrainian parliament approved Arseniy Yatseniuk as a new prime minister. Yatseniuk accused Yanukovych of making $37 billion disappear from state coffers.

• The Crimean parliament passed a resolution agreeing to hold elections in May and a referendum on autonomy. The parliament speaker said the legislature considers Yanukovych to be the legitimate president of Ukraine.

• Switzerland said it was prepared to freeze any funds that Yanukovych might have in Swiss banks.