Armed men have seized the parliament building and the regional government headquarters in the Ukrainian region of Crimea and hoisted Russian flags, according to officials.
In a dawn raid, up to 50 gunmen in combat fatigues stormed the buildings in the regional capital of Simferopol.
Ukraine's interim interior minister Arsen Avakov said security forces had been put on alert and the area cordoned off "to prevent bloodshed".
The parliament building has been seized in Simferopol And Ukraine's acting president Oleksandr Turchinov has appealed for calm, and branded the armed raiders as "criminals in military fatigues".
Crimea is an autonomous republic in the south of Ukraine, around 500 miles from the capital Kiev.
The men occupying the buildings are reported to be wearing black and orange ribbons - a Russian symbol of victory in World War Two.
They have erected barricades, and put up signs saying: "Crimea is Russian".
The move comes amid mounting signs of separatism in the region which has strong ties to Moscow, and where the majority of the population are Russian speakers.
On Wednesday there was a confrontation between pro-Russia separatists and ethnic Tatars, who support Ukraine's new leaders, outside the parliament building.
The Russian flag is flying over the parliament Russia has questioned the legitimacy of the new Ukrainian authorities, and has pledged to defend the rights of its "compatriots".
It would react "uncompromisingly" if these were violated, the foreign ministry said in a statement.
President Vladimir Putin has put the military on alert for major exercises, and announced measures to tighten security at the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.
It came as Russia confirmed it will take part in talks on an International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial package for Ukraine, where the economic situation continues to worsen after months of unrest.
Debt-hit Ukraine has said it needs $35bn (£21bn) over the next two years to avoid bankruptcy.
The European Commission says Russia should be included in efforts to provide financial assistance.
Barricades have been erected by the gunmen "All I can say is that we will take part in discussions (at the IMF), there is no talk of standing aside," said Andrei Bokarev, head of the finance ministry's international relations department.
Ukraine has also seen continuous devaluation of its currency amid the political upheaval, which led to President Viktor Yanukovych being toppled.
He is now a fugitive, wanted in connection with the deaths of around 100 people during the recent violence.
Ukraine's new government is expected to be formally approved by parliament on Thursday, and faces the hugely complex task of restoring stability in the country.
More follows...
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