Putin puts Russian troops on alert amid Ukraine separatist fears

In Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking Crimea, in the east, trouble is brewing.

On Wednesday, supporters of Ukraine's new government, many of them ethnic Tatars, converged outside the regional parliament.

They were met with a rival demonstration by pro-Russian separatists, many of them ethnic Russians.

The separatists want Crimea to secede from Ukraine... or even becomes a part of Russia again, like it had been until the 1950's.

The rallies come the same day the national government disbanded the riot police force.

The force is called Berkut, and is blamed for most of the deaths in last week's spasm of violence.

But the move to disband them upset these Crimeans, who set up camp outside a Berkut police barracks.

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ACTIVIST YEGOR, SAYING:

"Crimea supports Berkut. Our slogan is: Berkut with the people. People with the Berkut."

(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ACTIVIST ALEXANDER, SAYING:

"I'm here to support our guys…This is