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Russia-Ukraine tensions rise after Kerch Strait ship capture Russia-Ukraine tensions rise after Kerch Strait ship capture
(35 minutes later)
Ukraine's parliament is to decide whether to bring in martial law, after Sunday's capture of three of its naval vessels and 23 crew members by Russia.Ukraine's parliament is to decide whether to bring in martial law, after Sunday's capture of three of its naval vessels and 23 crew members by Russia.
The three ships were sailing off the coast of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, when they were seized.The three ships were sailing off the coast of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014, when they were seized.
Russia opened fire, before its special forces stormed the vessels. Between three and six Ukrainians were injured.Russia opened fire, before its special forces stormed the vessels. Between three and six Ukrainians were injured.
Ukraine said it was a Russian "act of aggression". Moscow said the ships had illegally entered its waters.Ukraine said it was a Russian "act of aggression". Moscow said the ships had illegally entered its waters.
On Monday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he was proposing that parliament back a 30-day martial law - half the length of that recommended by Ukraine's security and defence council a day earlier. On Monday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he was proposing that parliament back a 30-day martial law - half the length of that recommended by Ukraine's security and defence council.
In a televised address, Mr Poroshenko said he did not want martial law to affect presidential elections set for 31 March 2019. If backed by MPs, martial law would enter into force at 09:00 local time (07:00 GMT) on 28 November. He said he did not want the measure to affect presidential elections set for 31 March 2019.
Sunday's clash between Russian and Ukrainian vessels marks a major escalation of tension between the two countries. Sunday's clash is the first time Russia and Ukraine have come into open conflict in recent years, although Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russian-backed separatists and Russia volunteers in the east since 2014.
This is the first time the two militaries have come into open conflict in recent years, although Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russian-backed separatists and Russia volunteers in the east of the country.
Kiev also says Russian regular troops have fired on Ukrainian positions a number of times in the past.
A number of Western countries condemned Russia's actions.A number of Western countries condemned Russia's actions.
In New York, the UN Security Council met to discuss the crisis - but failed to agree a Russian-proposed agenda amid sharp disagreements between Moscow and the West.In New York, the UN Security Council met to discuss the crisis - but failed to agree a Russian-proposed agenda amid sharp disagreements between Moscow and the West.
Sunday's naval clash - what happened? What happened on Sunday?
The Ukrainian navy said its vessels - two gunboats and a tug - were hit and disabled on Sunday evening as they tried to leave the area near a Russian-built bridge over the Kerch Strait - the only access to the Sea of Azov. This is the chronology of the dramatic events that led to the naval clash:
It said all the crew members - including six injured sailors - were captured by Russian special forces. Russia said the Ukrainian ships were in its waters illegally because Moscow had temporarily closed an area of water for shipping.
Ukrainian military chief Viktor Muzhenko said the Russian coastguard had "fired to kill" during the confrontation. Kiev called Russia's actions a flagrant violation of international law, because the Black Sea is free for shipping, and Crimea belongs to Ukraine.
Russia's FSB security agency said its coastguard ships chased the Ukrainian ships and opened fire to force them to stop.
It also said three Ukrainian crew members were injured and were now being treated in a hospital in Crimea.
Before the clash, Russia scrambled fighter jets and helicopters, and also blocked the bridge with a tanker.
What led to this?
On Sunday morning, Ukraine's vessels tried to sail from the Black Sea port of Odessa to Mariupol in the Sea of Azov.
Ukraine said Russia then tried to intercept the boats, ramming the tug.
Russia accused the Ukrainian ships of illegally entering its waters, after the FSB had temporarily closed an area of water for shipping.
Kiev called it a flagrant violation of international law, because the Black Sea is free for shipping, and annexed Crimea belongs to Ukraine.
Ukraine also cited a 2003 Russia-Ukraine treaty on unimpeded access to the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov.Ukraine also cited a 2003 Russia-Ukraine treaty on unimpeded access to the Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov.
It said it had informed the Russians in advance of its plan to move its ships through the sea to Mariupol - a claim denied by Russia. It said it had informed the Russians in advance of its plan to move its ships to Mariupol - a claim denied by Russia.
In recent weeks, two Ukrainian vessels passed through the Kerch Straight without incident.In recent weeks, two Ukrainian vessels passed through the Kerch Straight without incident.
'A difficult balance''A difficult balance'
By Jonathan Marcus, defence and diplomatic correspondentBy Jonathan Marcus, defence and diplomatic correspondent
The incident in the Black Sea is a powerful reminder that the tensions between Russia and Ukraine are not part of a frozen conflict: they can flare up with very little warning.The incident in the Black Sea is a powerful reminder that the tensions between Russia and Ukraine are not part of a frozen conflict: they can flare up with very little warning.
Nato and Ukraine's allies in the West have strongly backed President Petro Poroshenko. But what can they do to influence Russian behaviour? Nato and Ukraine's allies in the West have strongly backed President Poroshenko. But what can they do to influence Russian behaviour?
There will be talk of more economic sanctions. But Russia is already heavily sanctioned and this has not encouraged it to rethink its annexation of Crimea. There will be calls for additional support for the Ukrainians; Nato countries provide training for Kiev's military - they could presumably do more. There will be talk of more economic sanctions. But Russia is already heavily sanctioned, and this has not encouraged it to rethink its annexation of Crimea. There will be calls for additional support for the Ukrainians; Nato countries provide training for Kiev's military - they could presumably do more.
And the Trump administration, even before this episode, was already considering calls to sell additional weaponry to Ukraine in addition to the Javelin anti-tank missiles already supplied.And the Trump administration, even before this episode, was already considering calls to sell additional weaponry to Ukraine in addition to the Javelin anti-tank missiles already supplied.
But there is a difficult balance to be struck between support for Ukraine's territorial integrity on the one hand and avoiding anything that might tip the conflict into full-scale war.But there is a difficult balance to be struck between support for Ukraine's territorial integrity on the one hand and avoiding anything that might tip the conflict into full-scale war.
Why is this happening now?Why is this happening now?
There have been growing tensions between the two sides over access to the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. There have been growing tensions between the two sides over navigation in the area.
In recent months, Russia has begun inspecting all vessels sailing to or from Ukrainian ports. Russia has recently begun inspecting all vessels sailing to or from Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov.
The inspections began soon after Ukraine detained a fishing vessel from Crimea in March. Moscow says the checks are necessary for security reasons, pointing to a potential threat to the Kerch bridge from Ukrainian radicals. This began after Ukraine detained a fishing vessel from Crimea in March. Moscow also says the checks are necessary for security reasons.
Ukraine has accused Russia of trying to occupy the Azov sea and damage Ukraine's economy by hindering access to two important ports, Berdyansk and Mariupol. Ukraine has accused Russia of trying to occupy the Sea of Azov and damage Ukraine's economy by hindering access its ports.
President Poroshenko told the Washington Post in September that iron and steel products from Mariupol made up 25% of Ukraine's export revenue.
How has Ukraine reacted?How has Ukraine reacted?
The stand-off has been met with anger in Ukraine. Late on Sunday, crowds gathered outside the Russian embassy in Kiev, some throwing flares.
Late on Sunday, crowds gathered outside the Russian embassy in Kiev, some throwing flares. At least one car belonging to the embassy was set alight. At least one car belonging to the embassy was set alight.
President Poroshenko described the Russian actions as "unprovoked and crazy", and said he would ask parliament on Monday to introduce martial law. He has now signed the decree requesting parliament to do so.
He stressed that this did not mean a "declaration of war... Ukraine does not plan to fight anyone".
The Ukrainian defence ministry announced that orders had been given to put the military on full combat alert.The Ukrainian defence ministry announced that orders had been given to put the military on full combat alert.
What could martial law in Ukraine involve?What could martial law in Ukraine involve?
Martial law could give the government the power to restrict public demonstrations, regulate the media, suspend elections, and oblige citizens to carry out "socially necessary" tasks such as working at a defence facility, local media report.Martial law could give the government the power to restrict public demonstrations, regulate the media, suspend elections, and oblige citizens to carry out "socially necessary" tasks such as working at a defence facility, local media report.
Ukraine's parliament is currently discussing how to proceed with the issue. A vote is expected later on Monday. Ukraine's parliament is discussing how to proceed with the issue. A vote is expected later on Monday.
If approved, it would be the first time Ukraine has enacted martial law since the beginning of the Ukraine-Russia conflict in 2014. If backed by MPs, martial law would enter into force at 07:00 GMT on 28 November.
However, politicians are split on the issue, with some expressing concern that it could lead to the 2019 presidential and parliamentary elections being cancelled. But some politicians are expressing concern it could still lead to the presidential elections being cancelled.
Some say President Poroshenko could be a main beneficiary, as his ratings have plummeted in recent months. Some say President Poroshenko could be a main beneficiary, as his ratings have plummeted.
Why are relations so bad between Russia and Ukraine?Why are relations so bad between Russia and Ukraine?
Ukraine gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.Ukraine gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
However, Russia considers a Western-leaning Ukraine a threat to its interests.However, Russia considers a Western-leaning Ukraine a threat to its interests.
In 2014, Ukraine's pro-Russian leader was overthrown, after large-scale protests against the government's decision to abandon plans to sign an association agreement with the EU.In 2014, Ukraine's pro-Russian leader was overthrown, after large-scale protests against the government's decision to abandon plans to sign an association agreement with the EU.
Russia then annexed Crimea, while Russia-backed separatists in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions moved against the Ukrainian state. Russia then annexed Crimea, while Russia-backed separatists moved against the Ukrainian state in the east.
Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of sending its troops to the region and arming the separatists.
Moscow denies this but says that Russian volunteers are helping the rebels.
More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict in the east.More than 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict in the east.