MOSCOW — Viktor F. Yanukovych, the ousted president of Ukraine, declared on Thursday that he remained the lawful president of the country and appealed to Russia to “secure my personal safety from the actions of extremists.” Russian news agencies reported that he had already arrived in Russia, but officials did not immediately confirm that.
EuroMaidan Revolution
New York Times: Ousted Yanukovych seeks Russian aid as tensions rise in Crimea
Acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov put police and security forces on alert in Ukraine after buildings of the Crimean parliament and administration were seized early on Feb. 27 by an unknown armed group. Two persons were killed and over 30 people were injured in clashes. Thousands gathered in front of the parliament building on Feb. 26 with crowds split between those supporting the new government and those calling for integration with Russia. The buildings were seized by an unknown armed group at around 4 a.m., according Crimea Prime Minister Anatoly Mogilyov, the nation's former prime minister and a longtime loyalist of ousted President Viktor Yanukovch. Mogilyov also said it was clear the identity of those people.
