Russians roll in with tanks and troops to seize village in eastern Ukraine as two die in spiralling tensions on eve of crunch vote

Russian troops seize village of Strilkove according to Ukrainian officials

Troops, helicopters and armoured vehicles took control of gas facility

Foray is the first time Russian forces have moved outside of Crimea

Ukraine says it will use 'all necessary measures' to stop Russian 'invasion'

Pro-Russian protester and bystander shot dead in Kharkiv yesterday

Killings bring total number of deaths to three in two days

Vote tomorrow expected to back handing control of Crimea to Russia

Tensions have also spread to Russian capital with rallies taking place

Russian forces backed by helicopter gunships and armored vehicles have taken control of a Ukranian village near the border with Crimea on the eve of a vote to determine whether the region should join Russia, officials said.
The action in Strilkove appeared to be the first move by Kremlin troops outside Crimea, where Russian forces have been in effective control since late last month.
There were no reports of gunfire or injuries. But the incident raises tensions, already running high, ahead of Sunday's referendum.
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Russian troops have seized control of a village in eastern Ukraine in first foray outside of Crimea as protests in support of President Putin take place in Moscow

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A spokesman for the Ukrainian border guard service said around 120 Russians took control of a natural gas distribution station in the village of Strilkove, just north of the Crimean border. The Foreign Ministry said the Russian force numbered closer to 80 personnel

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There were no reports of injuries or gunfire as Russian forces took over. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry denounced the foray outside Crimea, and said Ukraine 'reserves the right to use all necessary measures to stop the military invasion by Russia'. Pictured is a Russian paramilitary standing guard outside a Crimean town