The attack of the Russian Navy and the subsequent capture of Ukrainian vessels in the Sea of Azov is an extraordinary event, the first of such kind over four and a half years of the Russian aggression. Petro Poroshenko, the head of the Ukrainian state said that in his interview with three Ukrainian TV channels on Tuesday evening.
The President explained why Ukraine imposed martial law just now, not any other time since the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine in spring 2014.
'Actually, what happened on November 25 was an extraordinary event, first time over 4.5 years of the Russian aggression. Officially, without tearing down their chevrons, without any 'little green men', Russian military vessels - in huge amount - attacked the ships of Ukraine's Armed Forces', Poroshenko said.
The president stressed that the actual threat of full-fledged Russian military invasion in Ukraine remains.
As is known, Russia launched the military aggression in Ukraine in 2014, annexing Crimea and deploying regular troops in Donbas, eastern Ukraine. Thousands of people, military and civilians deceased in fights and due to accidents with explosives. Over 20,000 were wounded, and more than 1.8 million people became refugees. Russian militants and regular troops captured 7.2 percent of Ukraine's territory.
In February 2017, Ukraine officially recognized Russia aggressor.
