Russia confirms it fired at Ukrainian ships in major escalation of Crimea tensions

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• Russia confirmed that its ships attacked Ukrainian vessels off the coast of Crimea, but claims the ships entered Russian waters illegally and fired in response.
• The Ukrainian government says Russia opened fire on its navy and seized some vessels in an encounter that has left six Ukraine sailors injured.
• Ukraine's mission to the UN tweeted early Monday morning that it has requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss the attack. 
• Ukraine will vote on Monday to consider introducing martial law to the area.
• Russia has been steadily increasing its control around the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014.

Russia confirmed early on Monday morning that its ships attacked Ukrainian vessels off the coast of Crimea, but claims the ships entered Russian waters illegally and fired in response, RT reported, citing the Russian Security Service (FSB).

It claims three Ukrainian sailors were injured.

The Ukrainian government says Russia opened fire on its navy and seized three of its vessels. 

Ukraine's mission to the UN tweeted early Monday morning that it has requested an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss the attack. It says at least six of its servicemen were injured in the incident.

Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko convened an emergency meeting of his “war cabinet,” the BBC reported. Ukrainian parliament members will vote to declare martial law on Monday in response to the clashes.

According to RT, Russia says the Ukrainian Navy crews were given warning to turn back before they opened fire. It added that Russia says it has opened a criminal investigation into what it claims is a violation of the Russian state border.

Russia has been steadily increasing its control around the Crimean peninsula, which it annexed in 2014.

Tensions began over the weekend after Russia used a huge tanker to block passage through the Kerch Strait — the only access point to the Sea of Azov which both countries share. 

The Sea of Azov has been a flash point in the conflict between the two countries. In May, Russia completed its construction of a massive 18 km (11.2 mile) bridge which links the Crimea Peninsula and mainland Russia.

Both Ukraine and the US have alleged the bridge is being used by Russia to disrupt Ukrainian shipping. Ukraine also alleges that Russia has moved several warships into the Sea of Azov. 

The Associated Press reported the Ukrainian vessels involved in the incident wanted to pass through the strait and had given notice to the Russians.

Read more: 'Trump is ours!': Russian state TV celebrates Trump's suggestion that Crimea is part of Russia

Ukrainian Foreign Minister tweeted that Ukraine must be "ready" for possible "further acts of aggression". 

NATO spokeswoman Oana Lungescu wrote on Twitter early Monday morning that the alliance is closely monitoring the situation and called for restraint. 

"NATO fully supports Ukraine's sovereignty and its territorial integrity, including its navigational rights in its territorial waters," Lungescu's statement read. "We call on Russia to ensure unhindered access to the Ukrainian ports in the Azov Sea, in accordance with international law. 

This is a developing story.

SEE ALSO: Ukrainian navy: Tugboat rammed by Russian ship near Crimea

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