The source added that the Russian Navy transport ship Yauza's recent encounter with a Turkish submarine in the Dardanelles wasn't anything out of the usual in the heavily-used waterway, which connects the Sea of Marmara with the Aegean. The ship was reported to be heading towards the Black Sea.
"There are no problems with Russian ships passing through the straits, although it is quite normal that some vessels are waiting due to the straits' workload or natural disasters, hampering navigation," the source said.
It also said that the Turkish authorities which regulate navigation in the straits sometimes close them due to fog or allow for movement in only one direction because of the congestion of vessels in the area.
"As for the Turkish submarine, there is nothing extraordinary in the fact that she met with our cargo ship, given that the vessels regularly pass through Strait in both directions, as well as other ships of the Turkish Navy," the source said.
Some were quick to draw attention to the incidents in light of the ongoing deterioration in relations between Moscow and Ankara after last week's downing by Turkey of a Russian Su-24 bomber.
