Ukraine take step to martial law as Russia tensions escalate

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a bill to impose martial law in the country in the wake of Russia's seizure of three ships and their crews.

The bill has to be approved by parliament for it to go into force. The Supreme Rada is due to vote on the issue later Monday.

Poroshenko proposed imposing martial law in the country after Russian border guards opened fire on three Ukrainian military vessels in the Sea of Azov.

The bill that was published by Poroshenko's office Monday afternoon calls for martial law to be imposed for two months.

The emergency measures will, if adopted by lawmakers, include a partial mobilization, a strengthening of the country's air defense as well as a plethora of vaguely worded steps such as the "strengthening" of anti-terrorism measures and "information security."