Ukraine is woefully unprepared to wage a fight with Russia at sea (opinion)

Editor’s Note: Michael Bociurkiw is a global affairs analyst and a former spokesperson for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. While the tensions in the Sea of Azov have been percolating for months – mainly with Russian forces increasing their presence in shared waters and by delaying and “harassing” commercial vessels entering and leaving Ukrainian ports – few people expected Moscow to open a new front in its conflict in Ukraine by attacking its naval vessels Sunday, resulting in the alleged ramming of a vessel, injuries on the Ukrainian side, the impoundment of three naval vessels and detention of 23 servicemen. While all that occurred Sunday and Monday, Poroshenko reached for a tool which left many Western diplomats – indeed, many ordinary Ukrainians – shaking their heads in disbelief, a declaration of martial law. At first, requesting Parliament for permission to declare martial law for a period of 60 days, sensing opposition, Poroshenko revised the petition for 30 days and promised in a nationwide address Monday to continue to respect civil liberties and media freedoms Poroshenko said the law “would not provide for restrictions of constitutional rights and freedoms of citizens.” Potentially, the powers open the way for widespread compulsory military service, restrictions on the media and public demonstrations and suspension of elections. Mattia Nelles, in an Atlantic Council blog Monday called “Why Martial Law Cheapens Ukraine’s Democracy,” says that the oblasts under martial law happen to be in regions “most critical of the president.” Let there be no doubt: Poroshenko is a willy politician, at times projecting himself as part of the Davos elite and woefully out of touch with the concerns of ordinary Ukrainians – many of whom are struggling to make ends meet and expressing fatigue with the slow pace of reforms.