Yesterday at 23:53
Photo from Ukrinform-UATV
United States Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, co-chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, released a statement condemning Russia for the seizure of three Ukrainian naval ships off the coast of Crimea after opening fire on them and wounding several sailors, according to a press release on his website.
“Russia’s blatant violation of international law in the Sea of Azov and their provocative attack against Ukraine’s sovereignty are totally unacceptable. Russia must immediately restore the freedom of navigation through the Kerch Strait to allow Ukrainian vessels to freely use Ukrainian ports,” Fitzpatrick said.
Russia’s continued, illegal occupation of Crimea, and their ongoing attempts to destabilize Eastern Europe, directly threaten our national security interests. We cannot ignore Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. I urge the President and the Administration to fully hold Vladimir Putin accountable at next week’s G-20 summit. We must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Ukraine.”
Russian provocations began on Nov. 25. It started with a Russian coastal guard ship ramming into a Ukrainian tugboat that was transporting two artillery boats from Odesa to Mariupol. Russia blocked access to the Azov Sea altogether and sent two Ka-52 attack helicopters to tail the Ukrainian ships. Finally, it fired on the vessels.
Russian Special Forces then seized the three Ukrainian vessels in the Black Sea. Several sailors were wounded.
Kyiv denied its ships had done anything wrong and accused Moscow of military aggression. Ukraine’s parliament is due to consider a proposal this evening to impose martial law for 60 days after President Petro Poroshenko met his top military and security chiefs on Sunday night over the crisis.
An emergency United Nations Security Council meeting has also been called for 6 p.m. Kyiv time today.
