Need to know: Why Ukraine declared martial law

The Ukrainian parliament has implemented martial law in response to the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, following a troubling incident at the Kerch Strait. The Russian Navy is alleged to have seized three Ukrainian vessels as they attempted to pass through the strait on Sunday. This is the first time the two militaries have come into open conflict recently, but Ukraine have been in conflict with Russian-backed separatists since 2014.

Here’s what you need to know about the unfolding tensions between the two countries.

Where is this happening?

The boats were seized at the Kerch Strait – a narrow stretch of water that connects the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea. Crucially it separates the Crimean Peninsula from Russia. The Ukranian boats were sailing from the Black Sea through the strait into the Sea of Azov, on their way to the Ukrainian city Mariupol, on the northern coast of the Azov.

A 2003 agreement affirms the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait are domestic waters of both Russia and Ukraine.

What happened?

Two gunboats and a tug boat were attacked and then seized by Russian forces as they passed through the Kerch Strait. Ukraine says six crew were injured in the incident, a video of which shows a Russian vessel ramming the Ukrainian tug boat. The Ukrainian Navy said the three vessels and their crews are now under Russian control.

The Russian Federal Security Service claims the Ukrainian ships entered Russian waters illegally: “They did not respond to legitimate demands by the ships and boats of Russia’s FSB Border Guard Service escorting them to stop immediately and performed dangerous maneuvers.”

The Ukrainian Navy said Russia “carried out openly aggressive action” against its vessels.

On Sunday evening the Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko held a military cabinet meeting and tweeted he would appeal Parliament to implement martial law. This afternoon Reuters reported that martial law will be introduced in Ukraine from 28 November for 30 days.

Martial law calls for the imposition of military control over normal functions of the government, and is usually invoked at times of emergency such as natural disaster or invasion.

What’s the background to this escalation?

In short – Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in constant conflict since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. As Jonathan Marcus, the BBC’s defence and diplomatic correspondent, said, such tensions “are not part of a frozen conflict: they can flare up with very little warning.”

Ukraine became independent in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia came to consider its increasingly western outlook to be a threat to Moscow’s interests. In 2014, when Ukraine’s pro-Russian leader was ousted over a dispute about the EU, Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. Separatists who received Russian support moved against Ukraine in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Since then, Moscow has come under repeated fire from Ukraine and the West for arming these separatists, despite Russia denying the accusations. Moscow concedes that Russian volunteers are aiding the rebel forces.

All of this should go some way to explain why the situation over the Kerch Strait and the Sea of Azov is so tense. Due to the annexation of Crimea, Russia claims that Ukraine’s move was a provocation. Due to the 2003 agreement affirming the Avoz Sea as a water that can be used by Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine can claim Russia’s aggression was undue.

What has been the reaction?

A UN Security Council meeting is set to be held later today.

NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg has pledged “full support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.”

EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic has condemned Russia, calling them to “immediately release the vessels and the crew.”

Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, tweeted today: “I condemn Russian use of force in Sea of Azov. Russian authorities must return Ukrainian sailors, vessels & refrain from further provocations. I discussed the situation with Pres. @poroshenko and will meet his representatives later today. Europe will stay united in support of Ukraine.”

Prior to Ukraine announcing the implementation of Martial law, Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt tweeted: “The UK utterly condemns Russia’s use of force against Ukrainian vessels entering the Sea of Azov. Once again, we see Russian CONTEMPT for international norms and Ukrainian sovereignty. Russia must release detained Ukrainian sailors and guarantee free passage through Kerch Straits.

Unsurprisingly the only voice of support for Russia has come from, er, the Russians themselves. Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, has described Ukrainian actions as a “dangerous provocation” that requires “special attention and special investigation.”