Ukraine's security forces have cordoned off two government buildings in the Russian-majority Crimea region were seized by armed men.
The Russian flag had been raised over both buildings in the regional capital, Simferopol.
On Wednesday pro-Russian separatists and supporters of Ukraine's new leaders confronted each other in the city.
Meanwhile, Russia performed a second day of military exercises, saying it fighter jets were on "combat alert".
"Constant air patrols are being carried out by fighter jets in the border regions," Russia's defence ministry told Interfax.
On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin ordered a snap drill to test the combat readiness of troops in central and western Russia, near the border with Ukraine. Thursday's exercises appear to be part of that drill, analysts say.
Also on Thursday, the Russian foreign ministry expressed concern over what it termed "massive violations of human rights in Ukraine".
Ukrainian President Olexander Turchynov warned Russia against "military aggression" in Crimea and urged it to ensure that its servicemen do not leave bases there.
Amid heightened tensions between Russia and the West, Nato has issued a statement saying it would continue to support Ukraine's territorial integrity.
The US has warned against any military intervention by Russia.
- Autonomous republic within Ukraine
- Transferred from Russia in 1954
- Ethnic Russians - 58.5%*
- Ethnic Ukrainians - 24.4%*
- Crimean Tatars - 12.1%*
- Source: Ukraine census 2001
The incident in Simferopol is another illustration of tensions in the region, says the BBC's Mark Lowen in Crimea.
On Wednesday the city saw clashes erupt between Ukrainians who support the change of government and pro-Russians.
Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the area near the government buildings has been cordoned off to prevent "bloodshed". He added that the seizure of the buildings was the work of "provocateurs".
"Measures have been taken to counter extremist actions and not allow the situation to escalate into an armed confrontation in the centre of the city," he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Regional Prime Minister Anatoliy Mohylyov told a local TV station said he would take part in talks with the gunmen and told government employees who normally work there not to come in.
The men have not yet made any demands or issued any statements but did put up a sign reading: "Crimea is Russia".
They threw a flash grenade in response to questions from a journalist, AP news agency reported.
Separatism fearsTensions have been rising in Crimea since President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted last week.
Crimea - where ethnic Russians are in a majority - was transferred from Russia to Ukraine in 1954.
Ethnic Ukrainians loyal to Kiev and Muslim Tatars - whose animus towards Russia stretches back to Stalin's deportations during World War II - have formed an alliance to oppose any move back towards Moscow.
On Wednesday Prime Minister designate Arseniy Yatsenyuk said: "In Crimea we always had different sentiments and forces who try to split the country and proclaim separatism."
But he told the BBC that Ukraine "could cope".
Crimea was transferred from Russia to Ukraine in 1954.
Russia, along with the US, UK and France, pledged to uphold the territorial integrity of Ukraine in a memorandum signed in 1994.
Are you in the Crimea region of Ukraine? What is your reaction to the recent events? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine' in the subject heading and including your contact details.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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