Russia blames Ukraine for renewed tensions in region; promises to respond 'harshly'

Russia's foreign ministry accused Ukraine on Monday of deliberating provoking an incident in the Kerch Strait near the peninsula of Crimea on Sunday in order to create a pretext for new sanctions to be imposed on Moscow.

Russia on Sunday seized two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels and a tugboat, which Moscow said had illegally entered Russia's territorial waters.

The foreign ministry said in a statement that it would respond harshly to any attempts to undermine its sovereign and security.

(With inputs from agencies.)