ANNOUNCER: This is CNN Breaking News.</s>WHITFIELD: Welcome back. More breaking news. According to multiple reports Russia has fired on and seized several Ukrainian Navy vessels off the coast of the annexed area of Crimea. CNN's Matthew Chance is in Moscow with more on this. Tell us what you know.</s>MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, this could be a major escalation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Just off the coast of that Crimean peninsula that was annexed by Russia from Ukraine back in 2014. According to the Ukrainian Navy, and they've been posting this on their Facebook page, Russia has opened fire and seized three Ukrainian vessels in the Sea of Azov, which is that very narrow stretch of water that exists between the Crimean peninsula and the Russian mainland. The Ukrainian Navy says two of its gun boats and a Ukrainian Naval tug were captured by Russian special forces after a brief chase on the water by Russian special forces. According to the Ukrainians again, at least six Ukrainian crew members, Navy personnel have been injured. It's not clear what the nature of their injuries were, but obviously they were injured during those clashes. As far as the Russians are concerned there's been no statement yet. It's midnight nearly here local time. We're expecting comment from them not until the morning, Fredricka.</s>WHITFIELD: All right. Keep us posted. Matthew Chance, thank you so much, in Moscow. And we'll be right back.
Russia Fires on and Seizes Ukrainian Navy Ships