ISTANBUL, March 4-- A Ukrainian warship passed through Turkey's Bosporus strait on Tuesday, heading towards Ukraine.

The Ukraine frigate, the Hetman Sahaydachny, escorted by a Turkish warship and a coast guard ship, accomplished its passage from the Bosphorus and sailed to the Black Sea on its way back to Ukraine.

Earlier the same day, two Russian warships, the Saratov and the Yamal, also passed through the straight and headed to Ukraine.

Russian media previously reported that the Hetman Sahaydachny frigate refused to follow Kiev's orders and raised a Russian flag. But it passed through the Bosphorus strait with the Ukrainian flag.

Ukraine's Ministry of Defense also denied claims that the Hetman Sahaydachny had taken side with Russia. It said before its departure for Ukraine, the frigate, with a Ka-27 helicopter and a special team on board, was on a mission in the Gulf of Aden.