Ukraine ? The president ordered thousands of troops to Ukraine’s capital Saturday, officials said, as he and his longtime foe, the nation’s prime minister, jockeyed for control of security forces amid an escalating power struggle.

Tensions have grown since President Viktor Yushchenko ordered parliament disbanded in April, claiming Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych and his supporters were trying to usurp presidential power. This week, the president moved to fire the nation’s chief prosecutor and take control of Interior Ministry troops, adding to the acrimony.

The ministry’s 32,000 troops answer to the interior minister, a Yanukovych loyalist, but Ivan Plyushch, the head of the national security council, said the president had ordered the troops to Kiev.

The statement did not specify how many troops have been sent, but Deputy Interior Minister Mikhail Korniyenko said 2,050 were moving toward the capital.