Corey Flintoff

Moscow has been talking lately about "color revolutions" as a new form of warfare employed by the West. The name comes from the Orange and Rose Revolutions in Ukraine and Georgia, respectively, but it's now being applied to popular rebellions such as those in Egypt and Syria. While Russia accuses the West of this kind of subversion, it seems to be following the same playbook in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow is pouring in billions in an effort to make Crimea a showcase of development. But Crimea has a deeply entrenched reputation for organized crime, which already taints some of its new leaders.

Russia's president has had muted response to U.S. plan to beef up promises to Eastern European allies. He has meetings set with France's president, Germany's chancellor and Britain's prime minister.

It was hoped that Ukraine's first presidential elections would bring stability to the region. But pro-Russian separatists have vowed to prevent voting in Sunday's presidential elections.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says Moscow will respect the outcome of the upcoming election in Ukraine but later said he still has concerns about the legitimacy of the vote.

There are increasing signs of friction between pro-Moscow separatists and local residents in eastern Ukraine, as some local people demand an end to the violence and lawlessness in the region.

A social media struggle is unfolding in eastern Ukraine, as bloggers on both Ukrainian and separatist sides plead their cases. But many find they face surveillance, trolls and threats as they work.

Barricades in the eastern Ukrainian town of Mariupol have been dismantled, following a deal between separatist leaders, police and steelworkers from the city's biggest steel mill.

Residents of eastern Ukraine are trying to figure out what happens next, now that pro-Russian separatists have claimed independence. But there's even disagreement over what's feasible.

Two regions of eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk, voted Sunday on referendums for self-rule. Separatists in Donetsk announced overwhelming support for independence.