Alwaght- Russia opened fire at three Ukrainian naval vessels and impounded them, saying they illegally entered the Russian waters in the Black Sea off the Russian-annexed Crimea.
According to Russia Today, two artillery boats and a tugboat belonging to the Ukrainian Navy were sailing between two Ukrainian ports: from Odessa in the Black Sea to Mariupol in the Azov Sea. The only waterway that connects these is the Kerch Strait between Crimean Peninsula and mainland Russia. Kiev says it notified Moscow in advance that its navy ships would be sailing through the area. Moscow denies that it was given warning.
They were ignoring "legal demands to stop" and "performing dangerous maneuvers," the Russian Security Service (FSB) said in a statement. The Russian warships had to open fire at around 7am Moscow time to force them to stop, it added.
"Three Ukrainian sailors were wounded and have been given medical assistance,” RT added, saying, “Their lives are out of danger".
The Russian military apparently also scrambled aircraft to enhance security at the scene, while the situation remained tense. Videos from the site showed Russian Ka-52 gunships cruising under the Crimea Bridge. Later, they were joined by several Su-25 strike fighters.
With relations still raw after Russia’s annexation of Crimea the incident risks pushing the two countries toward a wider conflict.
Ukraine denied its ships had done anything wrong, accused Russia of military aggression, and asked the international community to mobilize to punish Russia.
