KIEV, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko signed the legislation on imposing the martial law in border regions over tensions with Russia around the Kerch Strait, the presidential press service said on Wednesday.
The martial law starts at 9 a.m. local time (0700 GMT) Wednesday and will be effective for thirty days till Dec. 26.
According to local media, the martial law stipulates partial mobilization of troops, curfew, a ban on demonstrations, restrictions on freedom of movement, control over the media activities, and seizure of property for the needs of the Defense Ministry among other measures.
The legislation, which was approved by the parliament on Monday, said the special regime will be imposed in ten regions bordering Russia and Moldova's breakaway region of Transnistria, where Russian troops are stationed, and the regions located on the shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Poroshenko emphasized that "martial law does not mean the declaration of war," but a step towards strengthening Ukraine's defense.
On Sunday, the Ukrainian Navy said that Russian forces opened fire and seized three Ukrainian ships near the Kerch Strait that separates the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, injuring six Ukrainian military sailors.
Russia's Federal Security Service said that the Ukrainian ships breached the Russian border and conducted dangerous maneuvers in spite of Russia's orders for them to retreat.
The Ukrainian Navy said it has informed Russia in advance about the passage of Ukrainian vessels from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait, calling Russia's actions an "act of aggression."
Relations between Russia and Ukraine have been deteriorating since Crimea was incorporated into Russia in March 2014.
