Ukrainian Parliament Approves Declaration of Martial Law Near Sea of Azov

In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 25, Russian naval forces opened fire and seized three Ukrainian naval vessels with a total of 23 sailors on board – two gunboats and a tug boat. Ukraine reports that six of its crew members were injured in the clash. The Ukrainian ships were attempting to travel from Odessa to the town of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, but were blocked by a large Russian cargo ship that was strategically parked beneath the Crimean Bridge. The newly completed 18.1 km bridge, financed and built by Russia to connect the Russian mainland with the annexed Crimean Peninsula, spans the Kerch Strait, a narrow passageway leading into the Sea of Azov. Since the completion of the bridge, Russian naval vessels have been stopping Ukrainian ships passing through the strait and demanding to inspect them. The movement of Ukrainian ships into the Sea of Azov has been interpreted as an attempt by Ukraine to prevent Russia from taking full control of the Sea, an important shipping lane supporting Ukrainian industry.

The Russian military claims that the Ukrainian ships entered Russian territorial waters illegally, ignored instructions and warnings from Russian ships, and were making “dangerous maneuvers.”

In response to the clash, the government of Ukraine has declared 30 days of martial law in coastal territories near the conflict site. President Petro Poroshenko met with his senior military aides early on Monday to discuss a response to the incident. Poroshenko initially said he would propose that parliament impose 60 days of martial law, but adjusted the time frame before the emergency session of the Verkhovna Rada convened on Monday.

Martial law will go into effect from Wednesday. The decree, Poroshenko assured citizens during a televised address Monday, will not restrict the rights of any Ukrainians, nor would elections scheduled for early next year be affected. It is also not a declaration of war against Russia, said Poroshenko, “Ukraine is not planning a war against anyone.” Ukraine will uphold its side of the Minsk Agreements, peace deals signed with Russia and pro-Russian separatists in 2014 and 2015.

Just a few hours after the declaration of martial law, the United Nations held an emergency session on the naval clash in the Black Sea. The US ambassador to the UN, Nikki Haley, addressed Russia during the session, calling their actions an “outrageous violation” of Ukraine's sovereignty and called on the international community to condemn Russia's “arrogant...outlaw actions.”

Martial law includes several provisions, including, as the Ukrainian government deems necessary, bans on public gatherings, media restrictions, limits on the movement of Ukrainians and foreign nationals, and the ability to suspend elections.

There are fears that Russia’s long-term goal is to occupy and control Mariupol and surrounding territories to create a land bridge from Russia to Crimea. Russia’s pattern of aggression towards is neighbors in recent years is to precede a major geopolitical move with a small, offensive move, such as ramming a tugboat. Many analysts anticipate that the slow-burning, long, drawn-out conflict in Eastern Ukraine will now extend into the water, further crippling the Ukrainian economy.

By Samantha Guthrie

Photo: AP

Related Stories:

Tensions between Russia & Ukraine Escalate, BBC Reports