Ukraine accused Russia of “an act of aggression” on Sunday, November 25, as Russia’s border guards reportedly opened fire on and seized three of its vessels and wounded at least three crew members in the Black Sea. The three Ukrainian naval ships were heading for the port of Mariupol in the Sea of Azov. Amid heightened tension between the countries Russia had shut off access to the Sea of Azov from the Black Sea, and accused Ukraine of entering its territorial waters without permission.
The European Union and NATO have urged both sides to show restraint and “de-escalate the situation immediately” and the UN Security Council was to meet Monday to discuss the situation.