greg palkot has more from kiev, the capital of ukraine. >> reporter: it has been a hectic and violent day in crimea. the russian takeover there apparently in its final phase. ukrainian defense ministry confirming to fox news most important base for ukrainian forces is seized by russian special forces. we're told four russian armored vehicles broke through the front gate of the base and shots and stun grenades were fired and it's confirmed two officers were injured. the ukrainian commander detained by the russians. earlier more activity. submarine seized by russian forces, another base seized by pro-russian forces. officials here tell us they're working on an evacuation plan for troops and families. meanwhile, in the eastern ukrainian city, we watched as pro-russian rally, 5,000 people were conducted as officials confirmed to us they're watching very closely a russian troop build-up on the other side of the border. 20,000 russian troops in full combat gear there. russia says it's just exercises. they have no plans to engage. washington claims those claims are not credible. finally, her

bret. >> greg palkot in kiev, thank you. >>> is the missing malaysia airlines plane just sitting on a runway somewhere? what we know and what we don't. where the investigation stands tonight. chief intelligence correspondent catherine herridge has the latest on the hunt for flight 370. >> u.s. investigators including the ntsb and faa are engaged in a second intense review of the signal's data, sources tell fox news. to zero in on the missing jet's path as the search in its 11th day takes on greater urgency. they're assessing the trajectory of the aircraft based on fuel and what is known about the jet's path once the transponder went dark 40 minutes into the flight. investigators are also measurish how far it can travel without power. it can glide, though obviously not long distances. with the pilot and co pileant under scrutiny, there's no evidence so far that the jet crashed, leaving credence to the theory that it could be sitting on a runway. the malaysian media is reporting a half dozen remote landing strips were found on the flight simulator recovered from the pilot's home in kual

bret. >> greg palkot in kiev, thank you. >>> syrian government forces backed by militia fighters and war planes are pounding rebel units in parts of president bashar al assad's ancestral homeland, which recently fell to an opposition offensive. meanwhile, president obama recently laid out his rationale for not becoming more involved in the syrian civil war. >> it is, i think, a false notion that somehow we were in a position to through a few selective strikes prevent the kind of hardship we have seen in syria. it's not that it's not worth it. it's that after a decade of war, you know, the united states has limits. and our troops who have been on these rotations and their families and the costs, and the capacity to actually shape in a sustained way an outcome that was viable without us having a further commitment of perhaps another decade. >> still ahead, republicans are getting some unexpected help in their efforts to take control of the senate. >>> first, a protest gets out of control in new mexico. we'll tell you what caused it. i. i'm on expert on softball. and tea parties. i'll h

back to you. >> greg palkot, thank you very much. >>> more than 100 aftershocks in south los angeles after a 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit the city last night. epicenter about a mile from la habra. the quake felt during the game at roger stadium. here is the call by vin scully. >> little tremor here in the ballpark. i'm not sure if folks felt it. we certainly felt it here in press box row. the tremor and only that, thank goodness. >> the game went on without any problems. the quake causing minor damage, including water main breaks and a rock slide. fortunately, nobody was injured. >>> a massive fire sweeping through a landmark department store in des moines, iowa. take a look here. flames engulfing the historic building, causing the upper floor to collapse. forcing officials to shut down surrounding streets in the downtown area. no one was injured. now authorities are looking into what sparked that blaze. >> there is new fallout over obamacare. some senate democrats are breaking ranks with the white house. they are calling for better options for americans. >> thousands more gm vehicle

let's go right now to senior foreign affairs correspondent greg palkot who is following all the breakingdevelopments from kiev. greg? >> reporter: uma, we are getting late word of another violent takeover by russian forces in crimea. the ukrainian defense ministry continue if i wering to us just a minute ago that perhaps their most important base in ukraine, crimea, has fallen out of their control and into the control of russian special forces. the commander of that base has been perhaps the most defiant throughout this crisis. it was confirmed to us that four russian armored vehicles broke through the front gate of the base and shots and stun grenades were fired, confirmed to us two injured officers. the media there roughed up as well. and that brave commander, he is now in the custody of russian forces. earlier in crimea at another base that was stormed, too, this time by pro-russian militia. vladimir putin has announced the annexation of crimea, not recognized by ukraine, the west, or the u.s. most of the bases have fallen now in control of the rugs. officials here tell us they're try

jon: greg palkot live in kiev. thanks very much, gregg. jenna: not just in ukraine demonstrators demanding to heard, the move sparking this outrage next. >>> the latest in the murder trial of olympic athlete oscar pistorius. why the judge gave his attorney as tongue-lashing today. i've got a to-do list and five acres of fresh air. ♪ ♪ top three tools -- hammer, screwdriver, front loader. happiness is a drive-over mower deck. a john deere dealer can teach tractors to anybody. [ don ] in the right hands an imatch quick-hitch could probably cure most of the world's problems. [ male announcer ] that's how we run, and nothing runs like a deere. visit your dealer or johndeere.com/1family. ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ gregg: in seattle, a helicopter has crashed to the ground and apparently struck two cars. we just received word from the seattle fire department that two individuals were declared dead at the arrival of the hospital nearby. helicopter crash scene near the space needle. there you see a double box there of firefighters and police on the scene on the righ

greg palkot has more. >> vigils for syria, for years after the start of the uprising against the regime bashar al assad, emotions are high. >> the situation is as bad as it has been for the last three years. it's not getting any better. >> described by the u.n. as the world's biggest security and humanitarian crisis. nearly 140,000 people have been killed, including 7,000 children. over 9 million are refugees or displaced. the opposition is badly divided with islamests in its ranks. >> they're bearing the brunt of the war of destruction by the regime. >> meanwhile, a new round of peace talks in geneva is going nowhere. syria is set to miss more deadlines for the disposal of their chemical weapons. >> there cannot be any further delays. we're out of delay time now. >> president obama has relied on vladimir putin to keep these and other diplomatic efforts alive. now that russia has sent troops into crimea, experts say hopes of putin working with the u.s. on syria are shot down. >> i think it's extremely unlikely under the circumstances that we're in now that we can expect any kind of majo

greg palkot is in the country's capitol, kiev, with the latest. >> reporter: the people here in kievatching very closely moves to end the conflict in the region. for them a lot is riding on it. >> ukrainian military has been greering up for a possible russian invasion here that follows the annexation of crimea by russian i can't. 88,000 russian troops could be near ukraine's borders which is why comments coming from russian president putin in that call last night to president obama about a possible diplomatic solution to the crisis have been well received. still people here aren't buying yet assurances coming from russia that it won't attack. here is what ukraine's prime minister had to say to us. >> there is still a huge possibility that russia's military could cross the border and grab ukrainian territory, but as i already mentioned, the state of ukraine and ukrainian people will execute its duty and defend our country. >> meanwhile, more tough talk about russia coming from the former ukraine prime minister. she said sewed vladimir putin is enemy number one for ukraine. she said th

reporting, has repeatedly denied any plans to move any farther into ukraine, and calls the troop a greg palkot has the latest live in kiev. what reaction are you hearing there tonight? >> okay, harris, it is lateÑi he in kiev. the folks here are obviously watching this closely. there's a lot at stake here. it follows sunday's day of mourning,Ñi marking 40 days sin the deadly protests and the sense is they sacrificed too much to give up anything. ukraine's foreign ministerÑi sa he wants a diplomatic way forward, so he's probably heartened by the line from secretary of state kerry saying he does want to see ukraine at the table. lavrov saying basically the same thing, but the government here is flatly rejetting a core part of the proposal, which is rewriting the constitution, granting big powers to the areas here next to russia. the tone from the government is who are you to tell us what to do? >> and greg, what is the latest on the status of the russian troops on the border? we have heard some estimates that there are 80,000 on the border of ukraine. >> big numbers, andÑi big worri. and again,

let's go live to greg palkot who is in kiev now. yessing? >> melissa we're hearing concerns about the russian troop buildup. we're not getting consensus when or if there will be a new russian invasion this is days after the last ukrainian troops surrendered to the russians after its annexation of crimea. the defense minister of ukraine said they are ready for a new attack telling me that they are cooperating with u.s. as for the russian ukrainian troops, he tells us he thinks 88,000 troops are now surrounding the country. russia says all exercise. experts are not buying it. former ukrainian prime minister here yulia tymoshenko is run forge president. elections are scheduled for may. she is pro-democracy and anti-russia. vladmir putin number one enemy. finally the imf announcing a very important bailout package for this beleaguered country. 14 to $18 billion. that plus a u.n. general assembly vote saying that the crimea annexation is illegal. could bolster things, maybe not bring crimea back into ukraine, that is firmly in moscow's grip for t

senior affairs correspondent greg palkot in crimea. >> reporter: it is being granded as illegal. that vote is shaking things up in kiev. people in crimea claiming to us there has been a 75% turnout and all indicators point to a strong endorsement of crimea breaking away from ukraine and joining russia. the majority of the population is ethnic russians. a massive propaganda campaign aimed at rigging the election. most importantly in the last two weeks we have been watching a massive mobilization of russian troops into that region. this weekend alone the number building up to 22,000. also this weekend we've watched a small incursion of troops on the other side of the border into main land ukraine. we spoke yesterday with senator john mccain. he is here on a fact-finding tour. he called further russian advances into ukraine a breach of enormous consequence. secretary of state kerry has been issuing his own warnings to his counterpart, russian foreign minister lavrov on the phone. here in' evidence, a lot of people are watching and waiting with new word that there's more pro russian

greg palkot is in kiev tonight. >> these ukrainian marines just a few days ago were facing off against and surrendering to russian soldiers in their takeover of the crimean peninsula. they might have to go into combat again as russian troops build up on ukraine's borders. ukraine's defense minister says this time, there will be a fight. >> translator: if russia attacks, there is not one person here who will not follow my command to defend the country. >> ukraine's military would be up against a formidable foe. officials here tell fox news russian troops in the region now number some 88,000. ukraine's national security chief explains there are troops to the north and east in russia, as well as in crimea and in neighboring russian allies. >> translator: we can say they are advanced armored units and they have been in place for some time. >> the closest so far kiev militants have gotten are these red army tanks at a war memorial. moscow claims its troop s are o maneuvers just like before the crimea takeover notes one skeptical expert. >> translator: they can say whatever they want. the la

greg palkot live from kiev, ukraine with more. greg? >> reporter: hey, jenna.oscow making official what is the grim reality in crimea for now. for all intents and purposes russia in control of a place a short time was through and through ukraine. now they are backed up by some 20,000 russian troops and forcing this new ground reality. still we are hearing as many as 10,000 or more ukrainian troops are still there as well. a government official here told us today, that they are planning an evacuation of those troops and family members. if that is the case, then that would be the final surrender from kiev. but late today, there are some indication that is some people are not piv gig up. six ships holding out bense the russians, making plans to try to sail off. the russians are blacking their way. we're also told, planning a possible assault. in eastern ukraine as well, ukrainian troops are digging in. defenses are being beefed up as officials today told us they are watching a buildup of russian troops on the other side of the border. that putin claimed he is not

. >> greg palkot for us live in kiev.you. >>> we'll have a fair and balanced debate about how the administration is handling the ukraine crisis. our panel will weigh-in later on in our newscast. >>> the unemployment debate is taking center stage in this year's midterm elections. what kind of impact will it have to boost the economy? we'll have a fair and balanced look at that. >>> coming up, an indepth look at all that advanced technology that investigators are trying right now to locate missing flight 370. >> the united states is offering as many resources as possible to assist in the search. and please know that we are keeping all of the families and loved ones of those on this flight in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. when i first felt the diabetic nerve pain, of course i had no idea what it was. i felt like my feet were going to sleep. it progressed from there to burning... to like 1,000 bees that were just stinging my feet. [ female announcer ] it's known that diabetes damages nerves. lyrica is

ukraine is ordering all of their troops to come back to main land greg palkot has been covering there throughout the weekend streaming from ukraine. greg, what is the latest from crimea today? >> reporter: martha, it is basically over in crimea for the time-being anyway. we've been tracking it as you said all throughout the weekend. the ukrainian officials now today are saying that the evacuation orders are in place for all troops and family members on the peninsula of crimea. basically that is a defacto surrender. this after another ukrainian base was overrun by russian troops this morning. armored vehicles. helicopters are told. we're told two soldiers were hurt. 80 troops were detained and taken away. we've been tracking it this weekend. bases and ships have been seized by the russians. our understanding is, that three top ukrainian officers will remain in custody. a few ships, a few bases, facilities are out moves could you's grasp but that is just for the moment. martha, i can tell you also that the folks here are watching very closely president obama's trip to europe, his meetin

greg palkot streaming live from kiev with more. greg? >> reporter: hey, jenna. we spent the day talking with the top military brass here in kiev. yes, there is real concerns about that russian troop buildup but there is no consensus yet when or if a russian invasion might happen. this comes as days after the last you rainian troops -- ukrainian troops surrender to russia after its annexation of crimea. a ceremony with the last unit to face off with russians. they say he is ready for any new attack and cooperating with the u.s. just coming from a meeting with american officials. as for those russian troops we heard an alarming new assessment coming from the national security chief here. he told us he thinks there is something like 88,000 russian troops now surrounding his country, including a new movement of troops we've been tracking north of kiev, just across-the-boarder inside russia. analyst said next week could tell the tale whether russia will move or not. russia says these are just manuevers. this guy is not buying that. meanwhile former ukrainian prime mi

greg palkot is streaming live from kiev with more. >> reporter: folks here are trying to figure out as they remain on edge, exactly what russia has in mind. ukrainian military is gearing up and one top official tells us that the thread of invasion is real and that the forces here are preparing for the worst. russian troops on the border, we are told are front line, tactical armored units and they are encircling ukraine from nearly all sides. another top analyst we spoke to questions the claim from russia that these are simply exercises. he goes on to say the next few days could be key. according to moscow these alleged manuevers are suppose only last to the end of the month. if the troops stick around they might have something a little more aggressive in mind. the thinking here too, that russian president putin will not invade until there is more widespread protest and unrest in eastern ukraine. that is being tracked closely. that watts pretext for annexation of crimea just a couple weeks ago. putin by the way praised the action of the russian military in crime over the last couple wee