Ukraine, warning it is “on the brink of disaster”, has put its military on high alert and appealed for international help to avoid what it fears is a possible wider invasion by Russia.

Ukraine’s United Nations ambassador has asked an emergency session of the world body’s Security Council “to do everything possible now” to stop Russian “aggression” as troops took over the strategic Crimea region.

Ukraine's defence minister says Russia has brought 6,000 extra troops into the country recently.

The UN Security Council is holding private consultations to discuss the crisis in Ukraine.

With an ally claiming presidential powers and the whereabouts and legitimacy of the nominal president unclear, newly freed opposition icon Yulia Tymoshenko may feel her chance to take Ukraine’s leadership has come.

Ukraine was plunged into new uncertainty after a deadly political standoff — as a top opposition figure assumed presidential powers.

Ukraine has called off a regional co-operation summit of Central and Eastern European nations after it was boycotted by most heads of state over the treatment of jailed former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko.

Ukraine has confirmed more bird flu cases in two additional villages in the Crimean region, officials said today.

The bodies of at least 50 people believed to have been victims of Nazi troops have been unearthed from a mass grave in the Crimean peninsula.

The bodies of at least 50 people believed to have been victims of Nazi troops have been unearthed from a mass grave in the Crimean peninsula, an investigator said today.