Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on the situation in the Kerch Strait, saying that Ukraine resorted to "bandit methods" toward Russia.
"After tearing Ukraine apart, [Ukrainian President Petro] Poroshenko and the entire Maidan gang will then travel around the world giving lectures on the benefits of democracy, just like [former Georgian President Mikhail] Saakashvili does now. [They] have already reached peace in Donbass. Now they are onto Kerch Strait," she posted sarcastically to her Facebook page.
"[They are] highwaymen. And they use bandits' methods, too: first, a provocation; then, exertion of force; and finally, accusing others of aggression," she added.
According to earlier reports in some Western media outlets, the Ukrainian Navy claimed that one of its vessels lost power as Russian ships allegedly attacked a Ukrainian armored artillery vessel.
The Russian naval ships "opened fire on a group of ships of Ukraine's navy," the Ukrainian Navy Facebook page declared.
The Russian Foreign Ministry warned Ukraine against attempts to revise the status of the Sea of Azov — in violation of international law — and urged Kiev to refrain from attempting to unilaterally establish new state borders.
READ MORE: 'Created Out of Thin Air': Kiev, West Invented Azov Sea Issue to Pressure Moscow