Ukrainian Navy chief charged with treason after defecting

Ukrainian border guards have reported a build-up of armoured vehicles on the Russian side of a narrow sea channel dividing Russia and the Ukrainian region of Crimea.

The build-up of Russian armour was near a ferry port on the Russian side of the Kerch Channel opposite the Ukrainian city of Kerch, a border guard spokesman said.

Ukraine border guards say that Russia is blocking mobile telephone communications in some parts of Crimea, according to Reuters.

Ukraine will try the head of the navy for treason, after he surrendered his headquarters in the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

Denis Berezovsky was shown on Russian television and YouTube swearing allegiance to the Pro-Russian regional leaders of Crimea.

Read: Ukrainian Navy chief fired for 'treason'

Viktoria Syumar, deputy secretary of Ukraine's Security Council said:

"During the blockade by Russian forces of the central headquarters of the navy, he declined to offer resistance and laid down his weapons.

"The prosecutor's office has opened a criminal case against Denis Berezovsky under statute 111: state treason. "

Another admiral, Serhiy Hayduk, was placed in charge of the navy.

More: Ukraine Navy chief 'defects' to Crime region

Given the speed with which the Russians moved into and took over Crimea on Friday morning, the whole country is on invasion watch. If there are not any further incursions outside Crimea, within this peninsula they are most definitely consolidating their control.

Watch: Russian troops besiege Ukrainian military base in Crimea

What we saw at Perevalne was just one example of what's happened at several Ukrainian military bases, where they are being surrounded - besieged effectively - asked to surrender, sometimes surrendering, and having to give up their arms.

Read: Ukrainian Navy chief to be charged with treason

Read: Ukraine PM - Russia's actions 'a declaration of war'

Tonight, the worst blow of all for the Ukrainians, was the head of the Navy here in Balaklava, which is close to the Russian Black Sea fleet in Sevastopol, has switched sides.

He has abandoned Kiev, and he has sworn allegiance to the local regime.

They could probably never have fought the Russian's in the Black Sea fleet anyway. But this represents a significant loss of men and material to a country which may be on the brink of war.

Ukraine has fired its navy chief, and launched a treason case against him for "refusing to fight Russians, surrendering Sevastopol headquarters, the deputy Secretary of security council told Reuters.

Read: Ukraine Navy chief 'defects to Crimea region

More: Head of Ukraine Navy abandons Kiev leadership

An as yet unverified video is reported to show the recently appointed Ukrainian Navy Chief Rear Admiral Denis Berezovsky swearing allegiance to the Crimea region.

The video, in Russian, was posted on YouTube.

Read: Head of Ukraine Navy abandons Kiev leadership

The head of the Ukrainian Navy has sworn allegiance to pro-Russian authorities in Crimea.

Read: Ukraine Navy chief 'defects' to Crimea region