Russian troops have reportedly seized two airports in Crimea, Ukraine

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Peter Weber, The Week US's avatar
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Russian troops have reportedly seized two airports in Crimea, Ukraine
(Image credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said early Friday that Russian forces have seized control of two airports in the southern province of Crimea, where Russia has several military bases, including the home port for its Black Sea naval fleet. The airports, Simferopol International Airport in the provincial capital and a military airport in Sevastopol, were taken with no shots fired by armed men in unmarked camouflage who "do not hide their affiliation," he said on Facebook.

"I consider what has happened to be an armed invasion and occupation in violation of all international agreements and norms," Avakov added. He called for a negotiated end to the standoff. --Peter Weber

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Peter Weber, The Week US
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.