Russia hands back 3 seized ships to Ukraine

Moscow has returned three Ukrainian naval ships -- two gunboats and a tug -- that were taken by the Russian coast guard on November 25, 2018, as they passed through the Kerch Strait.

Kerch Bay:Russia's Foreign Ministry said that three Ukrainian naval ships that were seized in a shooting confrontation nearly a year ago have been returned.

The two gunboats and a tug were taken by the Russian coast guard on November 25, 2018, as they passed through the Kerch Strait that connects the Black Sea with the Azov Sea, en route to their home port in Mariupol.

The Kerch Strait runs between mainland Russia and Russia-annexed Crimea; Moscow said that ships violated procedures for transiting the strait.

The coast guard fired shots and seized 24 Ukrainian sailors.

The sailors were returned home in September as part of a prisoner exchange.

A Russian ministry statement said that the ship handover took place on Monday but did not give further details.