Ukraine to consider martial law amid tensions with Russia

Ukrainian lawmakers will vote on Monday whether to impose martial law across the country amid heightened tensions with Russia.

Bloomberg reported that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko submitted a decree on martial law to lawmakers. The measure would remain in effect until Jan. 25 and calls for a partial mobilization of the military to defend the border and major government and industrial sites.

The move comes a day after the Ukrainian Navy said Russia fired on some of its ships in the Kerch Strait near Crimea, hitting two vessels and injuring two crew members. Russia then seized both ships and a tugboat, Ukraine said.{mosads}

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said the U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Monday afternoon over the clash.

An emergency Security Council meeting has been called for tomorrow at 11:00am https://t.co/FpCAD2rGPn

— Nikki Haley (@nikkihaley) November 25, 2018

Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, prompting significant international backlash and sanctions against Moscow. The international community has not formally recognized the seizure of the territory.

Russia blamed Ukraine for sparking tensions on Sunday, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claiming Russian ships were reacting to an “incursion” by Ukrainian boats.