Putin has decided to engage in a demonstration of saber rattling that is clearly aimed at the Ukrainian crisis.
Violent protest in Crimean Ukraine as Russia orders test of combat readiness
As violent protest rocked Crimea on Wednesday, the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has reportedly ordered an immediate test of combat readiness of troops in central and western Russia in a move that will dramatically elevate fears of a separatist threat in Ukraine.
The Russian presidential order was confirmed by the defence minister, Sergei Shoigu. In the Crimean administrative capital of Simferopol, pro-Russian demonstrators clashed with about 20,000 Muslim Tatars rallying in support of Ukraine's interim pro-European government.
At least 20 people were injured as two competing rallies met outside the city's regional parliament building, which was to hold a crisis session to address the turmoil gripping the country.
At least one person has died in the chaos, though probably as the result of a heart attack rather than violent injury, Interfax news reported.
The Russian foreign ministry is making general statements about the necessity of protecting Russian interest. They are citing such things as attacks on the property of the Russian Orthodox Church. It appears that they may actually be prepared to dig their heels in over the future of the Crimea. Of course given the serious instability of the whole of Ukraine and the international tensions surrounding it, the Crimea is not an issue that can be dealt with in isolation. Given that Russia has an active military presence in Sevastopol and a majority population, it offers them a very effective point of leverage.
Meanwhile the parliament in Kiev seems to be engaged in political in fighting over the formation of an interim government. After the experiences in trying to make other interim arrangements it is acknowledged that the crowd of people still massed in Independence Square has functional veto power over any proposed government. Members of parliament have been meeting with various factions in an effort to forge some kind of agreement. At this point there is a plan to present a proposal to the crowd later today. That is of course a plan subject to change.
While all of this political jockeying goes on, Ukraine is a country that is close to economic paralysis. Business and trade is seriously disrupted by the disorder. The exchange rate of the currency is in free fall. Things like pension payments have been suspended.
UPDATE: 11:00 AM PST From the Guardian
The acting president, Turchynov, has drawn up a new cabinet, which he announced to the crowds on Independence Square on Wednesday evening. It included a number of key figures in the protest movement, including the journalist Tetiana Chornovol, who was beaten to within an inch of her life after investigating government corruption, and will now head an anti-corruption bureau.
I haven't been able to find any more details about who is in the cabinet and the nature of the crowd response.