Preparing for war: Putin puts 150,000 troops on standby as Muslim supporters of Ukraine's new government clash with pro-Russian group in Crimea

150,000 troops are on high alert with 880 tanks, 90 aircraft and 80 ships



It comes as anti- and pro-Russian protesters clashed in Crimea, Ukraine

Yet Russia, whose Naval fleet is near Crimea, denied there was any link



Former Ukrainian minister Arseny Yatseniuk named tonight as new leader



The nation's new government will be more pro-Western and anti-Russian



Vladimir Putin mobilised more than 150,000 troops and an armada of ships yesterday for a drill to test the combat readiness of forces in western Russia as tensions over Ukraine continue to grow.



In addition to the soldiers – nearly twice the British Army’s manpower after planned cuts – 880 tanks, 210 aircraft and 80 warships will take part in the operation.

The manoeuvres raised fears that the Russian president may be planning to send forces into Ukraine after the toppling of its Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovych.

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Violence: Protesters clashed in Simferopol, Ukraine (left) as Vladimir Putin (right) mobilised troops in Russia The might of the Red Army: Just a fifth of Russia's forces are considerably bigger than Britain's whole arsenal

Clashes: Fist fights broke out today between pro- and anti-Russian protesters in the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine. In response Russia has reportedly ordered an immediate test of 150,000 troops Punch-up: Muslim Tatars, who rallied in support of Ukraine's interim government, clash with a police officer in front of a local government building in Simferopol, Crimea. They came up against pro-Russian protesters Injuries: A pro-Russian demonstrator is taken away by medics after the scuffles in Simferopol, Ukraine Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said unspecified measures were also being taken to protect the country’s Black Sea fleet in Crimea, southern Ukraine. He claimed the operation was not linked to the crisis in Ukraine, insisting it was intended to ‘check the troops’ readiness for action in crisis situations that threaten the nation’s military security’. The drill comes 48 hours after Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev said the country’s interests and citizens in Ukraine were under threat in language that echoed his statements justifying Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008 when he was president. RELATED ARTICLES Previous

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Is this the Kremlin plan to divide Ukraine? 100,000 Russians... Share this article Share The US and EU nations have warned Russia against military intervention in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic that Mr Putin wants to be part of a Eurasian union he is creating. The crisis began three months ago after Mr Yanukovych ditched closer ties with the EU in favour of Mr Putin’s scheme. Defence Secretary Philip Hammond, who is overseeing the reduction of the Army to around half the size of the Russian mobilisation, said yesterday: ‘We will obviously want to take proper cognizance of any activities by Russian forces. We urge all parties to allow the Ukrainian people to settle internal differences and determine their future without external interference.’ He was speaking as Nato defence ministers, meeting in Brussels, issued a statement ahead of a two-day summit supporting Ukrainian sovereignty and independence. US secretary of state John Kerry said Russia should respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine and be ‘very careful’ in its behaviour. Trampled: A man receives help after he was injured in a stampede during clashes in Crimea, Ukraine Tension: Several people were injured as east-west tensions flared in Crimea, which is vital to the Russian Navy Clash: Pro-Russian protesters (left) stand opposite Crimean Tartars, who support the new regime in Ukraine Crimea is strategically vital to Vladimir Putin's Russia because it juts into the Black Sea. Pictured: Tartars Dressed for war: A pro-Russian demonstrator holds the Russian flag during the protests in Ukraine

More violence broke out today between pro-Russian demonstrators and supporters of the new government in the eastern peninsula of Crimea In a TV interview, he added: ‘What we need now to do is not get into an old Cold War confrontation.’ Mr Shoigu said the Russian tests will be conducted in two stages. At first, military units will be brought to ‘the highest degree of combat readiness’ and deployed to land and sea positions. The second stage will include tactical exercises involving warships from the northern and Baltic fleets, while some warplanes will move to combat airfields. Mr Shoigu said the forces must ‘be ready to bomb unfamiliar testing grounds’. The change of government in Kiev has raised questions over the future of Russia’s naval bases in the Crimean port of Sevastopol, the lease for which was extended until 2042 by Mr Yanukovych. Most observers believe the new leadership will not push for the withdrawal of the Russian fleet, as this could create further tensions. Yesterday, thousands of protesters took part in rival rallies in Crimea’s administrative capital Simferopol ahead of a planned session of the region’s parliament. Fights broke out between pro-Russians and more than 10,000 Muslim Tatars who rallied in support of the interim government, chanting: ‘Ukraine is not Russia!’



Blows were exchanged by groups arguing over the future of their country as Putin readies his troops

Pro-Russian activists have clashed with demonstrators backing Ukraine's new government in Crimea

Ukraine could divide into two separate countries as the West seeks new leadership and closer ties with Europe, while the East affiliates itself with Russia Waiting for history: 500 miles removed from the clashes in Crimea, tens of thousands of people waited in Kiev's Independence Square to hear former economy minister Arseny Yatseniuk nominated as their new leader Shift: The new Ukranian cabinet (announced in Kiev, pictured) will be pro-Western after months of protests which demanded the government prevent itself sliding under the grip of Russian influence. Tensions remain Protest: Ukrainians in Kiev last night as a new government was announced after months of violence Tribute: Citizens lay flowers and candles where protesters were killed in a clash with riot police in Kiev

The tensions in Crimea highlight the divisions that run through the nation of 46million, and underscore fears that the country’s mainly Russian-speaking east and south will not recognize the interim authority’s legitimacy.

Ethnic Ukrainians loyal to Kiev have joined the Tatars in an alliance to oppose any move back towards Moscow.

Ukraine’s interim president Oleksandr Turchinov has expressed concern about the ‘serious threat’ of separatism following the ousting of Mr Yanukovych, who was last night put on the international wanted list, accused of being behind the killing of more than 100 protesters by riot police last week.

Russia has portrayed the overthrow of Mr Yanukovych, whose whereabouts are unknown after he fled on Thursday, as a violent seizure of power, while many EU countries back the regime change.

Pro-Ukraine protest groups last night named their proposed cabinet for the interim government. MPs were expected to vote on the nominations today.

Russian flags can be seen in the background as demonstrators clash with those carrying the Ukrainian and Tartar flag in the foreground The news of further clashes underscores the difficulties facing Ukraine as the pro-European West divides from the Russian East

Yesterday Crimean citizens cheered as riot police from the pro-Russian Berkut brigade fled there, while in the West other were forced to knee on a stage and beg for forgiveness

During a meeting in Kiev today, former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko was seen for the first time without her wheelchair as she shook hands with US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns

The 'Euromaidan' council of protest leaders made its announcement of Yatseniuk, plus candidates for several other key ministers, after its members addressed crowds on Kiev's Independence Square.

Oleksander Turchinov said the new government would have to take unpopular decisions to head off defaulting on its debts and to guarantee a normal life for Ukraine's people.

The Euromaidan's proposals have yet to be approved by parliament.

The council also named career diplomat Andriy Deshchytsya as foreign minister.

Oleksander Shlapak, a former economy minister and former deputy head of the central bank, was named as finance minister.

Andriy Paruby, head of the 'self-defence' force protecting the Kiev protest zone from police action during the three months of conflict, was named secretary of the powerful National Security and Defence Council.

Crimean Tartars were expelled from their homes by Russia during the Second World War and so have a history of bad feeling towards the Kremlin

However Crimea has very close ties with Russia and houses the nation's Black Sea Fleet

Police had attempted to keep the two group apart but they were unable to stop the fighting

Earlier today, John Kerry and William Hague urged Ukraine to stay unified while asking Russia to allow the country to make its own choices about its future

There are fears within the international community that Russian president Putin (pictured here with former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych) could send troops to the country in an attempt to quash the uprising

Crimean Tartars have an historic grudge with Russia, so support the new revolution sweeping the nation

John Kerry also urged Russia and other nations to ensure the revolution was '100 per cent' peaceful from now on after nearly 100 people died in clashes