Kerch Strait: How the Russian Attack on Ships Led to the First Martial Law

In 2018, an incident occurred in the Kerch Strait when Russian forces attacked the Ukrainian ships 'Berdyansk' and 'Nikopol' along with the tugboat 'Yani Kapu'. As a result of this attack, 24 Ukrainian sailors were captured. The sailors returned home only after a prisoner exchange with Russia in 2019, and the ships were returned with damages.

After these events, Ukraine discussed the possibility of imposing martial law in response to direct military aggression from Russia. This incident sent a signal to many countries, including the USA and the EU, which condemned Russia's aggressive actions in the Kerch Strait and expressed support for Ukraine.