Interior minister sees blocking of airports in Crimea as armed invasion and occupation

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said that he sees the situation with the blocking of airports in Crimea as an "armed invasion and occupation," he has written on his Facebook page.

"I assess what is happening as an armed invasion and occupation, in violation of all international treaties and norms. This is a direct provocation of armed bloodshed on the territory of a sovereign state," Avakov said.

"This is no longer the competence of the Interior Ministry. This is the competence of the National Security and Defense Council. While there is no direct armed conflict, diplomats have to speak," he said.

He noted that the Interior Troops and the Interior Ministry of Ukraine had intensified patrols near the airports, but the tension is rising.

"The law enforcement agencies will not be able to resist regular military units," he said.