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Russia raised the stakes in the crisis in Crimea tonight by preparing for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin defied calls not to ­intervene as the Russian parliament approved his request to deploy troops.

David Cameron tonight warned the Kremlin: “The world is watching.

“Britain views the developments with growing concern.

"There can be no excuse for outside military ­intervention in Ukraine – a point I made to President Putin when we spoke yesterday.”

US President Barack Obama said Russia had flouted international law by sending troops to Ukraine.

In a 90-minute telephone conversation, Mr Obama urged Putin to pull forces back to bases in Crimea.

Putin said the use of force was needed to protect the majority ethnic Russian ­population and his Black Sea Fleet, which is still based on foreign soil in ­Sevastopol.

A new pro-Russian prime minister, Sergei Aksyonov, has been installed in the autonomous region.

But Ukraine’s acting President Oleksander Turchynov signed a decree declaring the appointment illegal.

Mr Aksyonov claimed control of local forces as he asked Putin for assistance in keeping peace. He also confirmed Black Sea Fleet personnel were guarding key buildings.

Gunmen described as Russian troops now control airports and a communications centre. Russia is now estimated to have 15,000 soldiers deployed in Crimea.

Putin’s move came as dozens were hurt in demonstrations in the Russian-speaking east. Protesters raised Russian flags and beat up supporters of the new government.

(Image: Reuters)

Vitali Klitschko, the former boxing champ and likely presidential candidate, tonight called for a “general mobilisation” following the Russian parliament’s ­decision.

Pro-Russia activists yesterday tried to seize the regional governor’s headquarters in the eastern city of Kharkiv while Ukraine’s border guard service said 300 armed men tried to take its HQ in Sevastopol.

But there were counter claims by Russia that gunmen from Kiev had been sent to seize Crimea’s interior ministry offices.

A planned May referendum on whether Crimea should seek greater independence has been brought forward to March 30.

Ukraine’s president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted last week by a movement focused on greater integration with Europe.

EU foreign ministers will meet in Brussels on Monday to discuss the developments.

(Image: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Crisis could affect UK gas supply and push up prices

Gas bills could soar because of the crisis in Ukraine, experts fear.

Around 12% of our gas comes from Russia via Ukraine – leaving Britain exposed to price volatility.

Russia expert Prof Peter Rutland said gas prices would suffer “whether there ends up being war or not”.

He said Russia could also cause trouble by calling in its neighbour’s $1.5billion debt.

Prof Rutland said: “Russia cut off supplies to Ukraine in 2006 and 2009. Other customers have to get their supply elsewhere: that affects the market and pushes up the price for the UK.”

And earlier this week Andrew Wilson, of the European Council of Foreign Relations, said: “Ukraine is broke and Russia can hit it hard.”

What will happen next?

by Prof Peter Rutland, expert and author on Russia

Crimea was part of Russia until 1954 and 60 per cent of its population are ethnic Russians.

They have a referendum coming up in a few weeks and they may choose to become part of Russia again.

The region is the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea fleet. In 2010 Moscow renewed a treaty with Ukraine to remain there for 25 years.

By showing his military might, Putin is sending a signal to the West that if it comes to war, he will win.

Nato is not going to go to war with a nuclear power as mighty as Russia.

What happens next, though, all hangs on Putin and whether he really wants a confrontation.