Russia set to return Ukrainian ships seized a year ago amid simmering tensions
- The TV channel Crimea 24 released footage of the three Ukrainian boats being towed by the Russian coastguard across the Kerch Strait
Russia is set to return Ukrainian navy ships seized a year ago, as it prepares for a summit to try to resolve the wider conflict between them, Interfax news agency said Sunday.
“In accordance with agreements concluded with the Ukrainian side, three Ukrainian ships … are being towed from the port of Kerch to an approved transfer point,” border officials with the Russian secret service told the Interfax news agency.
The transfer was to take place on Monday, they added.
The TV channel Crimea 24 released footage of the three Ukrainian boats being towed by the Russian coastguard across the Kerch Strait.
The ships are seen passing under the Crimea bridge spanning the strait, built by Moscow to link Russia to the Crimean Peninsula, annexed in 2014.
In November last year, Russia seized the two Ukrainian gunboats and a tugboat as they headed through the Kerch Strait, a narrow waterway giving access to the Sea of Azov that is used by Ukraine and Russia.