December 2018 - Ukraine Special Weapons News

Presidential Campaign Kicks Off In Ukraine RFE/RL 31 Dec 2018 -- Three months before votes are due to be cast, the Ukrainian presidential campaign has officially kicked off.
Moscow regrets Merkel, Macron stance on Russia-Ukraine relations People's Daily 30 Dec 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday it regretted the position of French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on some aspects of Russia-Ukraine relations.
Truce In Eastern Ukraine Appears Largely To Be Holding RFE/RL 30 Dec 2018 -- A fresh truce between Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine appears for the most part to be holding.
Ukrainian President Signs Law Expanding Control in Black Sea After Kerch Row Sputnik 30 Dec 2018 -- The adoption of the law comes a month after a provocation by Ukrainian Navy ships in the Kerch Strait and violation of the Russian maritime border. Following the incident, Ukraine's president introduced martial law in several regions of the country and the coast of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, but was terminated earlier this week.
Russia hits Ukraine with sanctions in 'tit-for-tat' measure Press TV 29 Dec 2018 -- Russia has introduced new sanctions targeting Ukraine in response to Kiev's earlier restrictions on specific Russian goods.
Russia completes fence between Crimea and Ukraine Press TV 29 Dec 2018 -- Russian authorities say they have completed construction of a "defensive" fence dividing the Crimean Peninsula, which rejoined Russia in a 2014 referendum from Ukraine.
Medvedev Announces Russian Ban On Ukrainian Goods RFE/RL 29 Dec 2018 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has announced a ban on Ukrainian goods, including agricultural and industrial products, days after adding Ukrainian firms and individuals to Russia's sanctions list.
Moscow Rejects French, German Appeal To Release Ukrainian Sailors RFE/RL 29 Dec 2018 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has rejected what it says are unacceptable demands by Germany and France to release Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia.
Kiev Claims of Taking Control Over Neutral Donbass Zone is Provocation - Moscow Sputnik 29 Dec 2018 -- Claims about Ukrainian army taking control over the neutral zone along the separation line in the Donbass sound like blatant provocation aimed at disrupting the peace process in conflict-hit eastern Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.
Russia Will Defend Its Sovereignty, Stop Any Provocation Attempts - Moscow Sputnik 29 Dec 2018 -- The response comes a day after French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Russia to free the Ukranian sailors arrested during the Kerch Strait incident, as well as ensure the free passage of shipping in the Sea of Azov.
Russia Says Crimea Barrier Is Complete RFE/RL 28 Dec 2018 -- Russian authorities say they have finished building a barrier dividing the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow forcibly seized in 2014, from mainland Ukraine.
Ukraine Has Become Significantly Closer to NATO Over 4 Years - Defence Minister Sputnik 28 Dec 2018 -- Kiev has become significantly closer to NATO over the past four years, Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak said.
Ukraine Received Modern Communication Equipment From NATO - Minister Sputnik 27 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine has received modern communication equipment from NATO member states, including due to the country's temporary period of martial law, which came to an end earlier this week, Yury Grymchak, Ukraine's deputy minister for temporarily occupied territories, said on Thursday.
Russia expands economic sanctions against Ukraine amid escalating crisis Press TV 26 Dec 2018 -- Russia has expanded its economic sanctions on Ukraine, adding over 250 people and businesses to a blacklist amid escalation of tensions between the two countries after Russian border guards opened fire and captured three Ukrainian naval vessels and their 24-member crew off Crimea late last month.
Poroshenko Ends Martial Law In Ukraine As Tensions With Russia Continue RFE/RL 26 Dec 2018 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced the end of martial law in the country's border regions that was imposed last month after Russia seized Ukrainian ships in the Black Sea.
Poroshenko Terminates Ukraine's Martial Law Imposed Over Kerch Strait Incident Sputnik 26 Dec 2018 -- In early December, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko introduced martial law in some Ukrainian regions located near the Russian border following the Kerch Strait incident, in which three Ukrainian vessels illegally crossed the Russian maritime border.
Russia Expands Targeted Sanctions Against Ukraine RFE/RL 25 Dec 2018 -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has expanded Russia's targeted sanctions against Ukrainian individuals and legal entities.
UK reaffirms support for Ukraine in face of Russia 'aggression' Press TV 24 Dec 2018 -- The UK has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine in the face of "Russian aggression," as Moscow and Kiev continue to trade barbs over political and territorial disputes.
Russia Repeats Claim That Ukraine Is Preparing A 'Provocation' RFE/RL 24 Dec 2018 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry has said "it is quite possible" that Ukraine "might switch to full-scale combat actions within the next few days."
UN General Assembly Adopts Ukraine's Resolution on Russia's Crimea Sputnik 23 Dec 2018 -- The UN General Assembly adopted the Ukrainian resolution on human rights violations in Crimea. A total of 65 countries voted for the adoption of the document, 27 countries voted against, while 70 others abstained.
UN: Rights Violations Continue in E. Ukraine Conflict VOA 23 Dec 2018 -- As Ukraine enters its fifth winter of conflict, the United Nations says civilians continue to be victimized by widespread human rights violations and abuse perpetrated by both the government and Russian-backed rebels in Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. The report issued by the U.N. Human Rights Office covers the three-month period between mid-August and mid-November.
US provides Ukraine with additional $10 million in military aid Press TV 22 Dec 2018 -- The United States says it will provide an additional $10 million in military aid to Ukraine to boost its naval capability, after Russia seized three Ukrainian navy ships off the coast of Crimea last month.
U.S., Britain Vow To Support Ukraine's Navy After November Kerch Strait Attack RFE/RL 22 Dec 2018 -- The United States says it will provide an additional $10 million in military financing to Ukraine to help bolster its navy after Russia captured three of Kyiv's ships at sea in late November.
Ukraine's President Signs Law Forcing Russia-Affiliated Church To Change Name RFE/RL 22 Dec 2018 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a law requiring the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) to change its name to one that reveals its affiliation with the Moscow-based Russian Orthodox Church.
Poroshenko Signs Bill on Renaming Canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church Sputnik 22 Dec 2018 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed into law a bill obliging the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) to change its name, presidential spokesman Svyatoslav Tsegolko said on Saturday.
Russian Embassy Slams UK Over Warship's Ukraine Visit 'Sending Message' to Putin Sputnik 22 Dec 2018 -- The deployment of a hydrographic survey ship, the HMS Echo, which docked in Odessa on 19 December, to Ukraine was announced by UK Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson last month.
US to Boost Funding for Ukrainian Navy After Kerch Row With Russia Sputnik 22 Dec 2018 -- The United States is providing Kiev with additional funding to build up its navy in light of the Kerch strait incident, the State Department said in a press release.
Defence Secretary reaffirms support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression UK MOD 22 Dec 2018 -- The Defence Secretary visited the crew of HMS Echo docked at the Ukrainian port of Odesa
Russian Fighter Jets Moved To Annexed Ukrainian Region RFE/RL 22 Dec 2018 -- More than a dozen advanced Russian fighter jets have arrived at a base in the Ukrainian region of Crimea, which Moscow occupied and annexed in 2014.
Ukraine Lawmakers OK Law To Rename Moscow-Loyal Orthodox Church RFE/RL 20 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine's parliament has approved a bill that would force the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP) to change its name.
Putin: Kiev's Provocation in Kerch Strait Likely Helped Poroshenko Rise in Polls Sputnik 20 Dec 2018 -- Kiev's provocation in the Kerch Strait, when Ukrainian Navy ships illegally crossed the Russian border and as a result were seized by Russian border guards, has been successful in terms of boosting Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's ratings ahead of next year's election, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated.
Russia Not Increasing Military Presence in Azov Sea - Foreign Ministry Sputnik 19 Dec 2018 -- Russia is not increasing its military presence in the Sea of ??Azov, its forces there are guarding the Crimean Bridge, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday.
'Multiplicity' of rights violations in Ukraine as fifth winter of conflict bites UN News 19 Dec 2018 -- Rights violations have continued unabated and unaddressed in Ukraine and people are still dying amid ongoing conflict between Government forces and armed separatists in the east of the country, a top UN rights official said on Wednesday
U.S. Congratulates New Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Amid Russian Anger RFE/RL 18 Dec 2018 -- The United States has congratulated Ukraine's new national Orthodox Church on its autonomy from Russia, a move that has incensed Moscow and further heightened tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
UNGA Approves Ukraine Resolution on Navigation in Azov, Black Seas Sputnik 18 Dec 2018 -- The United Nations General Assembly passed by a 2/3 majority vote Ukraine's draft resolution calling on Russia to stop restricting international navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Russia to Decommission Carrier Vehicle With Ukraine-Made Components - Source Sputnik 18 Dec 2018 -- The last launches of the Rokot carrier rocket fitted with a Ukrainian-made control system will be carried out in 2019, then the vehicle will be decommissioned, a source in the space industry told Sputnik on Tuesday.
Establishment of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine US Dept. of State 17 Dec 2018 -- "The United States congratulates Metropolitan Epifaniy on his election as head of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine."
Russia deploys ten fighter jets to Crimea amid rising tensions with Ukraine Press TV 17 Dec 2018 -- Russia has deployed a number of fighter jets to the Crimean Peninsula amid rising tensions with Ukraine, following remarks by the country's foreign minister that Kiev was planning an "armed provocation" in the coming weeks and before the end of the year.
U.S. Ukraine Envoy: Idea Of Extra Russia Sanctions 'Gaining Traction' RFE/RL 17 Dec 2018 -- A drive to impose more sanctions on Russia seems to be "gaining some traction" following a naval confrontation in the Black Sea last month, according to the U.S. special envoy for Ukraine.
US Not Ruling Out New Sanctions Against Russia Over Kerch Strait - State Dep't Sputnik 17 Dec 2018 -- Washington has slapped sanctions on Russian individuals and firms operating in Crimea in connection with a November incident, in which Russia seized three Ukrainian Navy vessels that violated its maritime border.
Ukraine Orthodox church breaks with Russia's Press TV 16 Dec 2018 -- The Ukrainian Orthodox church has joined a political struggle by Kiev against Russia, declaring "independence" from the Russian Orthodox Church.
New Ukrainian Orthodox Leader Gives First Liturgy, Urging Unity RFE/RL 16 Dec 2018 -- In his first liturgy as leader of the new Ukrainian national Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Epifaniy has urged Ukrainians to unite and pray for peace in the country.
US Vows to Work With EU States Against 'Russian Aggression' After Kerch Row Sputnik 16 Dec 2018 -- The United States will continue working with European countries as a unified front against Russia's "aggression," the US State Department said in a statement, commenting on the Kerch Strait incident.
Constantinople Patriarch to Give Tomos on Ukraine's 'New Church' Autocephaly Sputnik 16 Dec 2018 -- Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople invited the elected head of Ukraine's "new church" to visit Istanbul to receive tomos of autocephaly on the feast day of the Epiphany Day on January 6, the patriarchate's press service told Sputnik on Saturday.
On EU Resolve in Holding Russia Accountable US Dept. of State 15 Dec 2018-- "The United States welcomes recent steps by the EU and its Member States to hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine."
Ukraine Announces Creation Of Independent Church, Selects Leader RFE/RL 15 Dec 2018 -- Ukrainian Orthodox leaders have agreed on the creation of a new national Orthodox church and elected a leader to head that church, a move that Ukraine's leaders say is vital to the country's security and independence but could raise tensions further with Moscow.
Poroshenko Announces Creation of 'Local Ukrainian Autocephalous Church' Sputnik 15 Dec 2018 -- Metropolitan of non-canonical Pereyaslav and Bila Tserkva Epiphany Dumenko has been elected the head of a new church structure in Ukraine and introduced in this capacity by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. The Moscow Patriarchate has called the situation around the autocephaly the "legalisation of schism".
Ukrainian Air Force Pilot Dies In Fighter Jet Crash RFE/RL 15 Dec 2018 -- A Ukrainian air force pilot was killed when his fighter jet crashed during a landing attempt on December 15, the country's military announced.
Ukrainian Su-27 Crashes in Zhytomyr Region, Pilot Killed - General Staff Sputnik 15 Dec 2018 -- General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on 15 December about a crash of the Su-27 fighter jet in the Zhytomyr region, adding that the pilot was killed in the incident.
Russian Orthodox Church Asks UN, Western Leaders For Help In Ukraine RFE/RL 14 Dec 2018 -- The Russian Orthodox Church has called on international leaders to "protect" its followers in Ukraine in the face of what it called official pressure on Moscow-appointed clerics.
NATO Secretary General and President Poroshenko discuss developments in and around the Sea of Azov NATO 13 Dec 2018 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko met on Thursday (13 December 2018) to discuss developments in and around the Sea of Azov and the Alliance's strong support for Ukraine.
NATO Pledges Support For Ukraine Over Sea Of Azov Incident RFE/RL 13 Dec 2018 -- NATO has pledged support for Ukraine's navy more than two weeks after Russia seized three of Kyiv's naval ships and arrested 24 sailors in the Kerch Strait that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov.
Ukraine Church Says Bartholomew To Grant Autocephaly To Kyiv On January 6 RFE/RL 13 Dec 2018 -- The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople will hand over a Tomos - a decree granting independence, or autocephaly - to the future head of the local Orthodox Church in Ukraine on January 6, Archbishop Yevstratiy, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Kyiv Patriarchate said on December 13.
NATO to Provide Secure Comms Equipment to Kiev Before 2019 – Stoltenberg Sputnik 13 Dec 2018 -- NATO is going to deliver secure communications equipment for the Ukrainian army before the end of this year, the alliance's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has stated.
New Anti-Russia Sanctions to Complicate Talks on Kerch Strait Crisis - Berlin Sputnik 13 Dec 2018 -- The introduction of additional sanctions against Russia over the recent incident with Ukrainian ships in the Azov Sea will complicate talks on the de-escalation of the situation, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Thursday.
EU Leaders Prolong Economic Sanctions On Russia RFE/RL 13 Dec 2018 -- EU leaders at a summit in Brussels on December 13 said economic sanctions against Russia for its actions in Ukraine will be prolonged for another six months with the official rollover expected next week.
Kyiv Court: Lawmaker's Release Of Manafort Documents Interfered In U.S. Election RFE/RL 12 Dec 2018 -- A Kyiv court said that a Ukrainian lawmaker and a top anticorruption official's decision in 2016 to publish documents linked to President Donald Trump's then-campaign chairman amounted to interference in the U.S. presidential election
Germany, France Tried to Ensure Presence of Observers in Kerch Strait - Merkel Sputnik 12 Dec 2018 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that attempts are being made to allow representatives of Germany and France to observe shipping in the Sea of Azov.
Germany Supports Sanctions Extension Against Russia Over Kerch Incident - Merkel Sputnik 12 Dec 2018 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in parliament that Germany would support the extension of sanctions against Russia at the upcoming EU summit.
US House Passes Resolution in Support of Ukraine VOA 11 Dec 2018 -- The U.S. House of Representatives has again called on Russia to end its hostilities against Ukraine.
Former Russian Navy Officer Sentenced To 14 Years On Charge Of Spying For Ukraine RFE/RL 11 Dec 2018 -- Retired Russian navy officer Leonid Parkhomenko has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after a military tribunal in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don found him guilty of passing classified documents to Ukrainian intelligence.
Poroshenko Signs Law Terminating Ukrainian-Russian Friendship Treaty RFE/RL 10 Dec 2018 -- President Petro Poroshenko has signed into law a bill to terminate Ukraine's friendship treaty with Russia.
EU Blacklists Nine People Over Ukraine Separatist Vote RFE/RL 10 Dec 2018 -- The European Union has blacklisted nine individuals involved in the organization of last month's elections in the areas controlled by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Poroshenko Signs Law Terminating Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation With Russia Sputnik 10 Dec 2018 -- Kiev sent a diplomatic note to Moscow in September saying it would not renew the 1997 treaty.
EU to Consider New Russia Sanctions Based on Situation in Azov Sea - Minister Sputnik 10 Dec 2018 -- The EU must maintain its sanctions on Russia until there is progress on implementing the Minsk agreements and will decide on whether to introduce new sanctions based on the situation in the Sea of Azov, Belgian Foreign Minister Reynders said.
Martial Law Will Cost Kiev Billions of Dollars - Ukrainian Lawmaker Sputnik 10 Dec 2018 -- The launch of the Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle with a US military reconnaissance satellite for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) was called off seven seconds before launch, the launch's operator United Launch Alliance (ULA) reported.
Ukrainian Vessels Threatened to Use Weapons if Approached by Russian Ships - FSB Sputnik 08 Dec 2018 -- Kiev and Moscow have been embroiled in a naval standoff for the past two weeks. Three Ukrainian Navy vessels were seized on November 25 after violating Russia's maritime border.
Kyiv Says Russia Blocking Kerch Strait, Plans To Send Ukrainian Navy Ships RFE/RL 07 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine is accusing Russia of keeping up its blockade of the Kerch Strait that links the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov, warning that it will soon send more navy ships through the strait.
Russia Allegedly Sends Sub to Kerch Strait as Tensions With Ukraine Soar Sputnik 07 Dec 2018 -- A Twitter user claims a Russian submarine has been spotted leaving the port city of Sevastopol just days after three Ukrainian warships violated Russia's maritime border. The Russian Defence Ministry hasn't commented yet.
Ukraine parliament votes to end Russia friendship treaty Press TV 07 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine's parliament has approved a motion presented by President Petro Poroshenko to end the country's Treaty of Friendship with Russia.
US Not Mulling Military Response to Kerch Strait Incident - Pentagon Official Sputnik 07 Dec 2018 -- Ukrainian consuls on Thursday met with three sailors from the Ukrainian naval ships captured in Russian waters last month, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said.
U.S. in preparation to send warship into Black Sea People's Daily 06 Dec 2018 -- The U.S. military has started the preparations to dispatch a warship into the Black Sea amid the tension between Russia and Ukraine over the Kerch Strait incident, reported U.S. media on Wednesday.
DOD Statement on Open Skies Flight Over Ukraine DoD 06 Dec 2018 -- "Today, the United States and Allies conducted an extraordinary flight under the Open Skies Treaty. The timing of this flight is intended to reaffirm U.S. commitment to Ukraine and other partner nations.?"
US conducts 'extraordinary' flight over Ukraine: Pentagon Press TV 06 Dec 2018 -- The US military has announced that it conducted an "extraordinary" observation flight "to reaffirm US commitment to Ukraine" amid Russia-Ukraine tensions.
U.S. Conducts 'Extraordinary' Observation Flight Over Ukraine RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- The United States says it has carried out an "extraordinary" flight over Ukraine under an international military surveillance treaty, amid what it called a pattern of "increasingly provocative and threatening activity" by Russia.
US, Allies Conduct Extraordinary Flight Over Ukraine Amid Kerch Row - Pentagon Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin, while commenting on the naval incident that led to the detention of Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait, noted the attempt to breach the maritime border was a provocation prepared in advance as a pretext to introduce martial law in Ukraine.
In Show of Support, US Conducts Ukraine Fly-Over VOA 06 Dec 2018 -- The U.S. and its allies flew a military aircraft over Ukraine Thursday as a show of support after Russia attacked Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea last month.
Ukraine Reinforcing Troops on Russian Border - President Poroshenko Sputnik 06 Dec 2018 -- In November, the Ukrainian president signed a decree to impose martial law in regions bordering Russia, as well as the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, following a clash in the Kerch Strait.
Ukraine's Parliament Approves Bill To Terminate Friendship Treaty With Russia RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, has approved a move by President Petro Poroshenko to terminate the country's Treaty of Friendship with Russia.
At OSCE Meeting, Ukraine Pleads For Ramped-Up Russia Sanctions RFE/RL 06 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine has used a gathering of foreign ministers of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to call for increased sanctions against Russia, accusing Moscow of stepping up "aggression" against Kyiv and sowing "instability and insecurity" in the OSCE region.
EU To Sanction Nine People Over Ukraine Separatist Vote RFE/RL 05 Dec 2018 -- The European Union is now expected to add nine individuals allegedly involved in the organization of last month's elections in the areas controlled by Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine to its sanctions list, according to sources in Brussels.
Poroshenko: Meeting To Form Independent Ukrainian Church Set For December 15 RFE/RL 05 Dec 2018 -- President Petro Poroshenko says senior figures from Orthodox Christian communities in Ukraine will meet on December 15 in a bid to form a new, unified, independent Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Ukraine Security Agency Blames Attempted Cyberattack On Russia RFE/RL 05 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine's security agency said it has thwarted a massive cyberattack and blamed Russia for the attempted attack that targeted the country's court system.
Kiev Deploying Offensive Forces to Donbass, Military Actions Possible - Moscow Sputnik 05 Dec 2018 -- Kiev is deploying major offensive components to Donbass, with reports about preparations by the Ukrainian Armed Forces for military actions emerging, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has stated.
Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the meeting of the North Atlantic Council with Georgia and Ukraine in Foreign Ministers' session NATO 04 Dec 2018
NATO Foreign Ministers To Discuss Missile Treaty Impasse, Kerch Confrontation RFE/RL 04 Dec 2018 -- The Black Sea naval confrontation between Russia and Ukraine and the fate of a major Cold War missile treaty will top the agenda for foreign ministers and diplomats from 29 NATO members meeting in Brussels.
Ukraine police raid three Russia-linked Orthodox churches Press TV 04 Dec 2018 -- The Ukrainian police have raided three Orthodox churches aligned to Russia amid mounting political and religious tensions between the two countries.
Kyiv Says Russia 'Partially' Unblocks Ports On Sea Of Azov RFE/RL 04 Dec 2018 -- Kyiv says Russia has "partially" unblocked Ukrainian ports on the Sea of Azov, allowing Ukrainian ships to pass through the Kerch Strait for the first time since November 25, when Russian forces seized three Ukrainian Navy vessels and detained 24 crewmen.
Ukrainian Border Service Puts Ships on Alert Over Martial Law Sputnik 04 Dec 2018 -- All the ships and motorboats from Ukraine's border service have been put on alert since the clash in the Kerch Strait and the introduction of martial law by Kiev, Ukrainian State Border Service Chief Petro Tsigikal told the channel UATV Tuesday.
US, NATO Coordinating Alliance-Wide Response to Kerch Incident - State Dept Sputnik 04 Dec 2018 -- The United States and NATO member states have been coordinating an alliance-wide response to the naval incident in the Kerch Strait between Ukraine and Russia, a US Department of State official told reporters.
NATO Set to Meet as Ukraine Seeks Support Against Russian Attacks VOA 03 Dec 2018 -- Russia's recent attack on Ukrainian naval vessels will likely top the agenda at a NATO meeting this week as the alliance searches for a robust response in the wake of the Kremlin's latest act of aggression on Europe's borders.
Kremlin rejects Ukraine's 'absurd' accusation about plan to seize Azov Sea ports Press TV 03 Dec 2018 -- The Kremlin has denounced as "absurd" a Ukrainian accusation that Russia is planning to seize major ports in the Sea of Azov in order to build a land corridor between the Crimean Peninsula and eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia forces.
NATO Chief Demands Russia Release Ukrainian Ships, Sailors RFE/RL 03 Dec 2018 -- The head of NATO has demanded that Russia release Ukrainian sailors and naval vessels it seized in a confrontation at sea, while Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman says concerns that Moscow could seek to create a "land corridor" linking Russia to Crimea are "absurd."
Ukrainian Sailors Face Up to 6 Years in Prison for Border Crossing - Lawyer Sputnik 03 Dec 2018 -- All 24 Ukrainian sailors who were detained for illegally crossing the Russian maritime border in the Azov Sea have had charges brought against them by Russian investigators and now face up to six years in prison, lawyer Nikolay Polozov told Sputnik on Monday.
Putin Says He And Trump Briefly Discussed Ukraine Naval Confrontation RFE/RL 02 Dec 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he and U.S. President Donald Trump briefly discussed the recent naval confrontation in the Black Sea between Ukrainian and Russian naval ships.
War to drag on with Ukraine's pro-Westerners in power: Putin Press TV 01 Dec 2018 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that there would be no end to the conflict in Ukraine as long as the country is run by a set of pro-Western politicians.
Putin, Merkel Discuss Sea Of Azov Crisis At G20 Summit RFE/RL 01 Dec 2018 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has urged "freedom of shipping into the Sea of Azov" in a private talk with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires.
Ukraine Stops 100 Russians From Entering Country Amid Ban RFE/RL 01 Dec 2018 -- Ukraine's border guard service says some 100 Russian male nationals were stopped from entering the country on December 1.

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December 2018 - Ukraine Special Weapons News