(VOA)
Ukraine's parliament approved President Petro Poroshenko's call to impose martial law in parts of Ukraine bordering Russia and the Black Sea Monday, a day after Moscow attacked and seized three Ukrainian ships and their crews in waters off Crimea.
This is the first time the government has taken such measures since the crisis between Moscow and Kyiv began in 2014. Declaring martial law will limit rights and freedoms enumerated in 12 articles of the country’s constitution.
Poroshenko said Monday that martial law will help "strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities amid increasing aggression and according to international law a cold act of aggression by the Russian Federation." He added that Ukraine intends "to keep adhering to all international obligations." Read more