Turkish ships were able to leave Sea of Azov ports in Russia

The Turkish ships that were held up in the Russian ports of the Sea of Azov due to the situation in Ukraine have now been able to leave for their destinations, Turkey’s Office of Navigation said on Friday.

"Seventeen of the 18 ships that had been waiting at Russian ports of the Sea of Azov since February 24 now left for their destinations," the office said in a statement. "One ship is expecting loading in Temryuk."

Some of the ships are stationed in Kerch due to inclement weather, the statement said.