Vladimir Putin mobilised more than 150,000 troops and an armada of ships yesterday for a drill to test the combat readiness of forces in western Russia as tensions over Ukraine continue to grow. In addition to the soldiers – nearly twice the British Army’s manpower after planned cuts – 880 tanks, 210 aircraft and 80 warships will take part in the operation. The manoeuvres raised fears that the Russian president may be planning to send forces into Ukraine after the toppling of its Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovych. Scroll down for video Violence: Protesters clashed in Simferopol, Ukraine (left) as Vladimir Putin (right) mobilised troops in Russia
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150,000 troops are on high alert with 880 tanks, 90 aircraft and 80 ships
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It comes as anti- and pro-Russian protesters clashed in Crimea, Ukraine
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Yet Russia, whose Naval fleet is near Crimea, denied there was any link
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Former Ukrainian minister Arseny Yatseniuk named tonight as new leader
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The nation's new government will be more pro-Western and anti-Russian
More violence broke out today between pro-Russian demonstrators and supporters of the new government in the eastern peninsula of @placeholder