Pro-Russian activists clash with Maidan supporters as they storm the regional government building in Kharkiv on March 1, 2014. Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Pro-Russian activists clash with Maidan supporters as they storm the regional government building in Kharkiv on March 1 Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Pro-Russian protesters drag a wounded man during clashes with supporters of Ukraine's new government in central Kharkiv, March 1 Reuters People stand on the awning outside the regional government building in Kharkiv on March 1 Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty An armed serviceman looks out from a Russian army vehicle outside a Ukrainian border guard post in the Crimean town of Balaclava March 1, 2014. REUTERS/Baz Ratner Pro-Russian protesters raise a Russian flag in front of the regional administration building during a rally in the industrial Ukrainian city of Donetsk on March 1 AFP/Getty Unidentified armed men in military uniform block a Ukrainian military base in Balaklava, Crimea, Ukraine, 01 March 2014. EPA/Anton Pedko A so-called "Maidan's self defence unit" marches past Independence square in central Kiev on March 1 AFP/Getty Pro-Western activists sit after being overpowered by pro-Russia activists after clashes at the local administration building in the northeastern city of Kharkiv AP Photo/Olga Ivashchenko A wounded pro-Western activist sits after clashes with pro-Russia activists in Kharkiv AP Photo/Olga Ivashchenko Local residents carry Russian flags and shout slogans rallying over the streets of Crimean capital Simferopol, Ukraine. AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev Members of a "Maidan" self-defense battalion sing the Ukrainian national anthem before remembering fallen comrades at the site of recent street battles near Independence Square in Kiev March 1 REUTERS/Thomas Peter Unidentified armed men in military uniform block a Ukrainian military base in Balaklava, Crimea EPA/Anton Pedko Anti-Yanukovych protesters wearing fatigues guard a barricade in Kiev's Independence Square, the epicenter of the country's current unrest, Ukraine, Saturday, March 1 AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti Pro-Russian activists hold Russian flags during a rally in center of Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, March 1 AP Photo/Sergey Vaganov Armed men stand inside the regional parliament building in the Crimean city of Simferopol February 27, 2014 in this still image taken from security camera footage. Reuters Armed men take up positions around the regional parliament building in the Crimean city of Simferopol March 1 REUTERS/David Mdzinarishvili Ad Up Next Close Davis, Duda make strong 1st impression PORT ST. LUCIE — It’s game on between Ike Davis... 17 View Slideshow Back Continue Share this: Facebook

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Russian troops took over Crimea on Saturday without firing a single shot, as President Vladimir Putin brazenly ignored US warnings that such a move would come with “costs.”

There was little the Ukrainian government in Kiev could do, with the province swarming with thousands of masked soldiers wearing no insignia on their uniforms but believed to have been dispatched by Moscow.

Ukraine’s UN ambassador put their number at 15,000, saying some had been stationed there and others flown in over the past several days.

They patrolled streets, took up positions around Crimea’s parliamentary complex and seized control of airports.

In Washington, President Obama spoke for 90 minutes with Putin, urging him to pull his troops back to their bases.

“President Obama expressed his deep concern over Russia’s clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is a breach of international law,’’ the White House said.

Putin replied that Russians in Crimea are facing “real threats.’’ Ominously, he suggested he might send troops to other parts of eastern Ukraine where the people are predominently ethnic Russians and the sentiment is strongly pro-Moscow, according to the Kremlin.

Obama, in turn, offered to support sending international monitors to make sure ethnic Russians are not harmed.

And he said Russia’s “continued violation of international law will lead to greater political and economic isolation.’’

Meanwhile, in Moscow Saturday, the Russian parliament rubber-stamped, by unanimous vote, Putin’s request to use the country’s military might in Ukraine — as riots broke out in other areas in eastern Ukraine.

In Kharkiv, nearly 100 people were injured when pro-Russian protesters pushed representatives of the new, Western-leaning national Ukrainian government, out of their offices.

The rioters immediately topped the building with a Russian flag.

Obama’s warning that “there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine’’ was not specific.

But officials said the US might skip a G8 summit Putin plans for Sochi.

The US suspended participation in preliminary talks about the conclave.

High-ranking US officials met in the White House Saturday to discuss the explosive situation.

Among them were Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, CIA Director John Brennan and Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The United Nations also met, with US Ambassador Samantha Power warning, “Russia’s provocative actions can easily push this situation beyond the breaking point.”

She added Putin’s military moves so far are “dangerous” and “destabilizing.”

“We are deeply disturbed,’’ she said.

“This intervention is without legal basis.’’

But there were signs Saturday that the situation could ease.

Former Ukrainian Premier Yulia Tymoshenko — who was freed last week after more than two years in custody on bogus charges — was said to be heading to Moscow for a meeting on Monday.

Tymoshenko and Putin had good ties in the past, and she may push for a compromise.

Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov — who came to power last week after months of protests forced President Viktor Yanukovych to flee — talked tough.

He went on TV to announce he is putting the country’s military on full readiness and has stepped up security at nuclear power plants, airports and other strategically important sites.

Ukraine’s prime minister, Arseny Yatsenyuk, challenged Moscow to “recall their forces.”

“Russian partners, stop provoking civil and military resistance in Ukraine,” he told the Interfax news agency.