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MOSCOW, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Monday handed over three navy ships it held from Ukraine in November last year for violating the Russian border, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
The ships were no longer needed as evidence for criminal process in Russia over the border breach, the ministry said in a statement.
Russia will continue to ensure the safety of navigation in accordance with Russian legislation, bilateral treaties and other applicable international law, it added.
On Nov. 25, Russian forces seized three Ukrainian navy ships with 24 sailors on board attempting to sail through the Kerch Strait from the Black Sea to the Sea of Azov, for they allegedly violated the Russian border. Moscow and Kiev accused each other of provocations.
