SIMFEROPOL, November 26. /TASS/. There is no threat to the lives of the Ukrainian servicemen who received light wounds in Saturday’s incident when their warships violated Russia’s state border, Sergei Aksyonov, head of the Republic of Crimea, said on Monday.

"Three people were wounded. I say it officially. There is no threat to their lives," he said in an interview with the Rossiya-1 television channel. "They are receiving all necessary assistance, bearing in mind the fact that they have found themselves hostages to the current political situation."

Kerch Strait incident

In violation of the rules of passage via Russia’s territorial sea and the Kerch Strait, three warships of the Ukrainian Navy crossed Russia’s state border on November 25. The Russian side had to use weapons to compel the ships to stop. Three Ukrainian servicemen were lightly wounded. They received medical assistance. The ships were detained and escorted to the port of Kerch. A criminal case was initiated on border violation charges.

The Russian side described the incident as a provocation.

Meanwhile the Ukrainian authorities have come up with an initiative to declare martial law. The European Union and NATO, in turn, have called for de-escalation of the situation.