DHAKA: Russia has tightened its military grip on Ukraine’s Crimea region, taking de facto control despite Western demands that it withdraw.

Thousands of Russian troops are securing the region. Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said they were defending Russian citizens and human rights.

The world’s seven major industrialised powers have condemned Moscow’s ‘violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty’.

Ukraine has ordered full mobilisation, urging more international support, reports the BBC.

Russia says it is protecting its interests and those of Russian-speakers in Ukraine following the ousting of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych last month.

Lavrov said in Geneva on Monday that Russian troops were needed in Ukraine ‘until the normalisation of the political situation’.

The crisis hit Russian stock markets, with Moscow’s main MICEX index dropping 9% in early trading. The rouble fell to a fresh all-time low against the US dollar and Russia’s central bank raised its key lending rate to 7% from 5.5%.

BDST: 1645 HRS, MAR 02, 2014