more than 1,000 people have been detained across russia and heavily policed protests. you always feel worried at a time like this. if you have a wife and kids, i wouldn t want to leave them. it comes as occupied areas announce snap referendums on joining the russian state. for critics, a tiny fig leaf to cover a blatant annexation of ukrainian land and an opportunity to halt ukraine s advancing army by warning the western backers to defend the mother land. even the newest bits. translator: this is not a bluff. citizens of russia can be sure our territorial integrity, our independence and freedom will be ensured with the means at our disposal and those who try to blackmail us with nuclear weapons should know the prevailing winds can turn in their direction. reporter: it s a threat ukraine bristoling with u.s. and western arms has already rejected out of hand. officials recruiting the kremlin of throwing more men into the flames of a war it has no chance of winning. but in