Ukraine's Rada supported President Poroshenko’s decision

The Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) has approved Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko’s decision to declare martial law in the country.

Martial law will be imposed on the Ukrainian territories bordering Russia, as well as along the coast of the Black and Azov Seas. It is scheduled to enter into force on November 28 and will remain in place for 30 days.

The lawmakers have agreed on the date of the future presidential elections, which will be held on March 31, 2019.

The decision came two days after Russia fired at and captured three Ukrainian vessels, triggering a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries.