11.00pm GMT

• Russian forces in Crimea urged Ukrainian forces to give up their weapons and stand down, as the number of Russian troops and boats on the peninsula continued to grow. Russia built up forces on both sides of the ferry connecting it to Crimea and sent troops across.

• “The facts on the ground in Crimea are deeply troubling,” US president Barack Obama said. “Russia is on the wrong side of history.”

• The Ukrainian ambassador to the UN said 16,000 Russian troops have arrived in Crimea since 26 February. The Russian ambassador retorted that treaties allow 25,000. The Ukrainian envoy argued that the legal cap was 11,000.

• In a feisty meeting at the UN, the Russian ambassador said that Moscow does not consider it its responsibility to return deposed president Viktor Yanukovich to power.

• Pro-Russia demonstrators surrounded government buildings in at least three Ukrainian cities, hoisting Russian flags and chanting against the government in Kiev.

• Markets took a dive, with Russia’s main stock index down almost 13% and the rouble off by 3% despite central bank efforts to shore it up. The Russian central bank hiked interest rates and said they may go higher.

• The European Union called an emergency meeting for Thursday to discuss sanctions on Russia or Russian officials, visa restrictions and other measures, if there is not “a very quick deescalation.” The US also prepared sanctions legislation.

• US secretary of state John Kerry announced continued preparations to meet with Ukrainian government leaders in Kiev on Tuesday.