Simferopol, Ukraine (CNN) -- There has been lots of talk by officials about Ukraine, specifically about the disputed region of Crimea and it possibly joining Russia. There have been threats of sanctions and other punitive measures against Moscow, for allegedly supporting this breakaway from Ukraine, in spirit and in action. Troops -- some uniformed, some not -- have been seen in and around the region, raising worries, even if no one has been shot. But could something big and decisive be coming soon? For as tense as things are now, the fear is that things could deteriorate quickly and bloodily. The trigger may be Sunday's vote in Crimea, where voters can formally set the stage for its secession from Ukraine and becoming part of Russia.
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U.S. warns Americans in Russia about possible "violence or anti-U.S. actions"
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U.S., Russian talks go nowhere: "We don't have a common vision," Lavrov says
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John Kerry: Russia has a choice, will pay price if it annexes Crimea
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Armored trucks rumble through northern Crimea; Russia stages military drill near Ukraine border
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Already, eight @placeholder military units in Crimea have been taken over, 22 others are blocked, and 49 of 56 border patrol stations are in similar straits, Ukraine's foreign ministry said.
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Moscow has been equally steadfast in its support for ethnic @placeholder and abiding by voter's' wishes in Crimea.
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While the @placeholder foreign minister and his team did engage in talks Friday, calling them negotiations may be a reach.
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As @placeholder said, Moscow wasn't going to do anything until the Crimea referendum's results are released, likely Monday.
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The situation seems to have had an impact already within @placeholder, as evidenced by steep declines in its stock market and the value of the ruble.
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At the same time, he opened the door for less strident measures should Russia opt not to take in Crimea -- whatever the referendum says -- and instead go along with more autonomy, human rights monitoring and other steps for that region if it stays part of @placeholder.
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@placeholder's defense ministry released video Friday showing paratroopers floating downward as part of those drills.
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Russia has more than four times the amount of troops as @placeholder, not to mention exponentially more tanks, armored personnel carriers and ships.