Ukraine says Russia opened fire on its naval vessels

Ukraine's navy accused Russia of opening fire on and seizing three of its vessels yesterday in a strait near Moscow-annexed Crimea, escalation of tensions between the two countries.

The incident occurred in the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway that gives access to the Sea of Azov that is used by Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine's navy said it took place as three of its ships two small warships and a tugboat were heading through the strait for the port of Mariupol. 

It said a



Russian border guard vessel rammed the tugboat in openly aggressive actions and then fired on one of its ships. Two Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly injured.

Russia, in turn, has accused Kiev of illegally entering its waters and deliberately provoking a conflict. Moscow claims the waters off Crimea after annexing the peninsula in 2014. 

Russia accused Ukraine of acting at the behest of its Western allies and deliberately attempting