Russia has fired on and seized three Ukrainian naval vessels off the Crimean Peninsula in a major escalation of tensions between the two countries.
Two gunboats and a tug were captured by Russian forces. A number of Ukrainian crew members were injured.
Each country blames the other for the incident. On Monday Ukrainian MPs are due to vote on declaring martial law.
The crisis began when Russia accused the Ukrainian ships of illegally entering its waters.
The Russians placed a tanker under a bridge in the Kerch Strait – the only access to the Sea of Azov, which is shared between the two countries.
Image copyrightPHOTOSHOTImage captionA tanker under the bridge shut all navigation from and into the Sea of Azov
During a meeting of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, President Petro Poroshenko described the Russian actions as “unprovoked and crazy”.
The tug probably has tangible value to the Russians. Gunboats and crews that don’t fight, not so much. Probably not a lot of risk in giving those back.
Image copyrightPHOTOSHOT
The tug probably has tangible value to the Russians. Gunboats and crews that don’t fight, not so much. Probably not a lot of risk in giving those back.