A clash at sea causing waves of international concern.
A Russian military ship rams into a Ukrainian tugboat off the coast of Crimea.
The vessel was later fired at and captured by the Russians, along with two other ships
and dozens of Ukrainian seamen, several of whom were injured.
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting where western countries
accused Russia of stoking an already deadly war with Ukraine.
What we witnessed this weekend was another reckless Russian escalation.
(WB) It is an arrogant act that the international community must condemn and will never accept."
In response, Russia's representative said the Ukrainan ship had violated ITS territorial
waters.
Moscow says the incident was a provocation by Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko to
boost his support in upcoming elections.
In Kiev, Poroshenko has declared a state of martial law for 30 days, but insisted it would
not interfere with the looming presidential vote.
In Brussels, Nato's secretary general warned Russia that its actions would have consequences.
There is no justification for Russia's use of military force.
(WB) So we call on Russia to release immediately the Ukrainan sailors and ships it seized yesterday.
Sea traffic is again flowing through the disputed waters after Russia briefly blocked the crucial
passage.
But Moscow says it will continue to hold the Ukrainian ships and sailors while it conducts
its
own investigation.