Russia ordered surprise military exercises on Ukraine's doorstep Wednesday as tensions in that country's southern Crimea region simmered, with pro-Russian demonstrators facing off against rival protesters in the city of Simferopol. As the mood soured among the thousands rallying in front of the Crimean parliament building in Simferopol, some scuffles broke out. One group waved Ukrainian flags and shouted "Crimea is not Russia," while the other held Russian flags aloft and shouted "Crimea is Russia," images broadcast by Crimean TV channel ATR showed. As the crowd became more agitated, a line of police moved in to divide the groups. Local leaders sought to calm the mood, urging the protesters to go home and resist provocations.
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"People have to feel the changes, not to hear about them," says an activist
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A U.S. official urges "outside actors in the region to respect Ukraine's sovereignty"
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Nominees for a new unity government are announced in Independence Square
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Scuffles break out outside Crimean parliament between pro- and anti-Russian protesters
"This is about people of Ukraine and @placeholder making their choice about their future.