Moscow (CNN) Russia has partially unblocked Ukraine's ports on the Azov Sea, allowing ship traffic though the Kerch Strait, Ukrainian Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelyan said Tuesday.

In a statement posted on the ministry website, Omelyan said Russia had lifted some restrictions on movement to and from the Azov Sea ports of Berdyansk and Mariupol.

"Vessels are making their way to the entrance and exit through the Kerch Strait toward the Ukrainian ports," he said. "The vessels are stopped by the Russian side, they are still inspecting, but traffic has been partly restored."

Ukrainian soldier patrols aboard military boat called "Dondass" moored in Mariupol, Sea of Azov port on November 27, 2018.

According to the statement, 17 ships are waiting at the exit of the Azov Sea, and another nine are at berths in the ports.

Russia and Ukraine vessels engaged in a confrontation on November 25 around the Kerch Strait, which links the Azov Sea and the Black Sea. Russia rammed and fired on Ukrainian naval vessels, subsequently capturing three ships and detaining 24 service members.

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