March 1, 2014 3:09 a.m. ET
KIEV, Ukraine—The prime minister of the restive Ukrainian region Crimea said he was temporarily taking charge of the peninsula's police, army and other security forces, and called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to help keep "peace and calm."
Sergei Aksyonov, a pro-Russian politician appointed two days ago after armed men took over Crimea's parliament, said he was claiming more powers to bring order, Russian news agencies cited a statement as saying.
"All commanders should carry out only my orders. I ask anyone who disagrees to leave the service," he said.
Officials in Kiev, where a new government took power last week after the ouster of pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, have accused Russian troops of taking over two airports and Crimea's parliament to annex the peninsula.
Mr. Aksyonov said he was taking charge of Crimea's interior ministry, security service, armed forces, emergency situations ministry, fleet, tax service and border guard.
He appealed to Mr. Putin, who he said has promised humanitarian aid to Crimea, to help "provide peace and calm on the territory of Crimea."
Russia's presidential administration said it would not disregard Crimea's calls for assistance, Russian news agencies said.
A spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment.
—Lukas Alpert contributed to this article.
Write to James Marson at james.marson@wsj.com
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