Russian warships pass through Turkish strait

Two Russian naval warships passed through Turkey's Canakkale (Dardanelles) Strait, an Anadolu Agency correspondent reported Sunday. The two ships, named "Novocherkassk" and "Georgiy Pobedonosets", were accompanied by Turkish coast guard boats during their crossings. No further information is known regarding the final destination of the warships.

Tensions rose in the Black Sea basin in April after Russia annexed the Ukrainian region of Crimea and the port of Sevastopol, where Russia’s Black Sea fleet is based, following a controversial referendum.

The ships movements come as a "self-rule" referendum is being held by pro-Russian separatists in eastern regions of Ukraine, despite repudiation from the West.