Sunday's incident with Russian and Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait exacerbated even further what are already very tense relations between the two countries.
President Poroshenko has signed a decree on imposing martial law in the country until 25 January 2019, and submitted it for approval by the parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, the presidential website announced.
“To enact the decision of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine dated 26 November 2018, On emergency measures to ensure the state sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and the imposition of martial law in Ukraine,” the document said.
Ukrainian Army Put on Full Combat Alert Amid Kerch Strait Standoff
Poroshenko's opponents say that this will invest him with virtually unlimited powers to outlaw political parties, allow the seizure of citizens' property, replace civilian authorities with a military administration, and even become a dictator.
What Happened in the Kerch Strait
On Sunday morning, Ukrainian Navy ships Berdyansk, Nikopol and Yana Kapu, entered the temporarily closed water area of the territorial sea of the Russian Federation in violation of Articles 19 and 21 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and dangerously manoeuvered for several hours ignoring all demands to leave the area.
The Russian ships then opened fire, slightly wounding three Ukrainian sailors who were later taken to a hospital.
WATCH Russian FSB Ships Pursue Ukrainian Vessels…
