Russia opens Kerch Strait for traffic

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW

Russia on Monday opened the Kerch Strait for traffic following a with Ukraine.

Alexey Volkov, director general of Russia-owned Crimean Sea Ports, announced that the strait, connecting the Black Sea and Azov Sea, had previously been closed for security reasons.

On Sunday, Russia seized three Ukrainian naval ships after they tried to enter the strait, currently controlled by Moscow.

The Ukrainian Navy earlier accused Russia of opening fire on its warships off Crimea, asserting that crew members were wounded.