Ukraine's acting president has warned Russia that troop movements outside its naval base in Crimea would be seen as an "act of aggression". Armed men seized regional government headquarters and parliament and the Russian flag is flying from buildings
Ukraine's new prime minister Arseny Yatseniuk has accused the former government of stripping state coffers bare, saying $37 billion of credit it had received had "disappeared".
Speaking in parliament , Yatseniuk said that in the past three years "the sum of 70 billion dollars was paid out of Ukraine's financial system into off-shore accounts".
"I want to report to you - the state treasury has been robbed and is empty," he said. "37 billion dollars of credit received have disappeared in an unknown direction," he added.
Ousted President Viktor Yanukovich has not been seen since Saturday, but Russian news agencies have reported that Russia has agreed to provide him with protection.
Ukraine's interim President has expressed concerns about signs of separatism as opposition in Russian-speaking regions grows.
Hundreds of Ukrainians and journalists flocked to the presidential palace, as reports emerged that President Yanukovich had left the city.
Vitali Klitschko was met with boos from anti-government protesters, as he attempted to convince them a peace deal is best course of action.