Russia deploys additional troops to Crimea

Russia sent more troops and armor in Crimea on Friday, showing no sign of listening to western ways to defuse the situation.

Russian stock markets fell and the cost of insuring its debt rose on the last trading day before the pro-Moscow authorities in Crimea hold a vote to join Russia, a move almost certain to lead to U.S. and European sanctions on Monday.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in response to the death of at least one protester in the eastern city of Ukraine, Donetsk, repeated the statement of President Vladimir Putin the right to protect Russian citizens and “compatriots”.

“Russia is aware of its responsibility for the lives of our fellow citizens and Ukraine and reserves the right to take people under his protection,” he said.