Russia says detention of its soldiers near Crimea was 'provocation'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a news conference following his meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias (not pictured) at the Foreign Ministry in Athens, Greece November 2, 2016. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

MINSK (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday that Ukraine's detention of two Russian soldiers near the border with Crimea was "a provocation."

Ukrainian security services detained two Russian soldiers near the border with Crimea on Monday. Kiev said the men were deserters from the Ukrainian army detained on Ukrainian-controlled territory, while Moscow claimed they were seized in Crimea.