Russia and Ukraine faced off in court on Monday as judges in the The Hague began hearing a landmark case brought by Kiev over Moscow's annexation of Crimea and involvement in the war in eastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian government is asking the International Court of Justice, the United Nations’ highest court, to fine Russia for "intervening militarily in Ukraine, financing acts of terrorism, and violating the human rights of millions of Ukraine's citizens."

Russia, which publicly denies sending troops or military equipment to eastern Ukraine, is widely expected to challenge the jurisdiction of the court.

Ukraine submitted a 45-page indictment to the court in January.