Ukraine said its vessels were heading to Sea of Azov in line with maritime rules, while Russia charged that they had failed to obtain permission to pass through the strait that is spanned by 19-kilometer bridge that Russia completed this year.. ..…

Merkel's spokesman said that during meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, she also voiced concern about rising tensions in Kerch Strait off Crimea and pushed for freedom of shipping into Sea of Azov... ..…