This is a developing story. We will continue to update as more information becomes available.
Ukraine's fugitive president, Viktor Yanukovych, said Friday that he will no back down on his power in Ukraine.
"It's high time for me to announce my decision to fight for the future of Ukraine against those who use fear and terror to take the power," he said at a press conference from the city of Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia.
"I was forced to leave Ukraine because of the threat to my life and the life of my relatives," Yanukovych said, adding that power in Ukraine was seized by "nationalist, pro-facist youth mobs" who he claims represent a minotirty of the country's population.
Yanukovych said he will push for the amended constitution to balance out the branches of power and hold a new presidential election in December. He also called for protesters to unblock the streets, hand over weapons to police.
In reponse to a journalist's question on if Yanukovych was ashamed, he fell silent for a few moments before replying.
"I'd like to offer my apologies first and foremost to the veterans and to the Ukrainian people for what happened, for the fact that I didn't have enough strength to maintain stability."
After months of protests crescendoed into a bloody week that left at least 100 dead, Ukraine's Parliament held an emergency session and voted overwhelminngly to send Yanukovych to the International Criminal Court to answer for "crimes against humanity."
However, Yanukovych wasn't going to hang around for that to happen. He fled to Russia, where he was granted protection from what he calls "extremists." While he left behind is opulent 343-acre estate, the ousted president hasbn't given up first class just yet. Yanukovych was spotted at a five-star hotel in Moscow and is now reportedly staying at a plush Kremlin country retreat.
See also: 5 Big Questions About the Future of Ukraine
Meanwhile, Ukraine still faces uncertainly. Although the parliament on Thursday voted to form a new government and approved Arseniy Yatsenyuk as its new prime minister, tension is swelling in the country's Crimea region, which is largely controlled by pro-Russia and Yanukovych supporters.
Russian troops took control of the two main airports in Crimea on Friday, and the country has now asked the UN Security Council to intervene.c Russian forces in Crimea, however, denied involvement, according to Russian state media reports.