Netherlands, Belgium hand over 2 minehunters to boost Ukraine’s naval defenses
The official handover ceremony took place earlier in Belgium, but was disclosed only later due to security concerns.
Black Sea
Zelensky holds first meeting with Romania's new president Dan
President Volodymyr Zelensky hosted a trilateral meeting with Moldovan President Maia Sandu and newly elected Romanian President Nicusor Dan.
Russia plans to occupy Ukraine east of Dnipro, cut Black Sea access, Ukrainian official says
"Unfortunately, they are not speaking about peace. They are preparing for war," President Volodymyr Zelensky's Deputy Chief of Staff Pavlo Palisa said.
EU announces new Black Sea security strategy to counter Russian threats, top diplomat says
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas proposed creating a Black Sea Maritime Security Hub, envisioned as an early warning and monitoring system that would enhance situational awareness and protect key infrastructure.
Russia strikes Odesa port with ballistic missiles, kills 2, injures 7
Four of the wounded are in serious condition, Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper said.
Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on Black Sea gas platforms, SBU says
An aerial drone first struck one of the platforms, followed by a naval drone that delivered a secondary hit.
Ukraine shows its latest 'ship-killer' Magura drone series to the public for the first time
The Magura drones, as well as the Sea Baby drones of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), were pivotal in turning the tide of the war in the Black Sea, destroying or damaging Russian ships and other assets.
Zelensky names formerly imprisoned Crimean Tatar activist as Ukraine's ambassador to Turkey
Nariman Dzhelial, deputy chair of the Crimean Tatar Mejlis, was released in a prisoner exchange with Russia on June 28, 2024.
Ukrainian sea drones down 2 Russian Su-30 jets near Novorossiysk, military intelligence chief says
The operation marks the first time in history that fighter jets have been downed by unmanned boats. Initially, reports confirmed the destruction of only one jet, but Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) chief, Kyrylo Budanov, later clarified that two aircraft were hit.
Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian fighter jet in 'world-first' strike, intelligence says
The unprecedented operation allegedly took place on May 2 near the Russian port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea.
Drone attack targets Russia's Krasnodar Krai, Russian officials claim
Four were injured as Russia's Krasnodar Krai was allegedly targeted in a Ukrainian drone attack overnight on May 3, Russian officials claimed.
Black Sea security talks underway in Ankara, Zelensky says
Negotiations on Black Sea security are underway in Ankara and could shape the region’s post-war stability, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during an April 15 press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Odesa.
Turkey to hold Black Sea security meeting with Russia and Ukraine
The meeting will focus on upholding peace in the Black Sea after a potential ceasefire, sources from Turkey's defense ministry told regional media outlets.
Russia rejecting ceasefire because it wants to keep launching strikes from Black Sea, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 6 that Russia is refusing to accept an unconditional ceasefire in order to keep launching missile strikes from the Black Sea.
As Russia refuses to accept ceasefire, will Trump pressure Moscow?
Three weeks ago, Ukraine and the U.S. agreed to implement a full 30-day ceasefire. Russia declined to do so, issuing a list of demands instead. On April 4, Russia hit a residential neighborhood in the city of Kryvyi Rih with ballistic missiles and drones, killing 19 people, including nine
Ukraine Business Roundup — The Black Sea ceasefire deal Ukraine doesn't need
The following is the April 1, 2025 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. Washington proudly announced on March 25 that it had brokered an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to "eliminate
What Russia really wants from the Black Sea ceasefire deal
With much fanfare, the U.S. on March 25 announced it had brokered an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to "eliminate the use of force" in the Black Sea after two days of talks in Saudi Arabia. But while Kyiv said it was ready to abide by it straight away,
NYT: Biden administration was 'surprised,' 'angry' by Ukraine's sinking of the Moskva in 2022
The Moskva sank on April 14, 2022, after being struck by two Ukrainian R-360 Neptune anti-ship missiles. The attack marked one of Kyiv’s most significant early victories in the full-scale war and dealt a major blow to Russia’s Black Sea fleet.
Ukraine believes Black Sea ceasefire is in effect, Foreign Ministry says
Kyiv believes that the Black Sea ceasefire applies to civilian shipping and Ukrainian ports, and does not apply to Russian warships, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said.
US 'evaluating' Russian conditions for Black Sea ceasefire including lifting sanctions, Rubio says
According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, some of the sanctions Russia wants lifted "are not ours — they belong to the European Union."
As Ukraine-Russia ceasefire progress inches forward, here’s where things stand
After three days of separate intensive discussions with the United States, Russia and Ukraine left the latest round of ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia with agreements to declare a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea and to halt strikes against energy facilities. While lauded by the White House as progress
As Ukraine, Russia agree to ceasefire at sea, Moscow's battered Black Sea Fleet is set to get a reprieve
The White House on March 25 announced that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to "eliminate the use of force" in the Black Sea, returning the spotlight to a theater of battle that has been relatively quiet for more than a year. Throughout 2022 and 2023, Ukrainian strikes against Russian ships,
Zelensky accuses Russia of manipulating conditions for Black Sea ceasefire
"We see how the Russians have already started to manipulate. They are already trying to distort the agreements and actually deceive our mediators and the whole world," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 25.
US considering lifting some sanctions to secure Black Sea ceasefire, Trump says
The United States is "looking at" lifting additional sanctions on Russia in order to secure a Black Sea ceasefire agreement, U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 25.
‘Not what Ukraine needs’ — Black Sea ceasefire favors Russia more than Ukraine, say experts
While the White House celebrates a ceasefire in the Black Sea after a 12-hour meeting in Riyadh, in Ukraine, the enthusiasm is muted. The agreement is missing crucial securities that Ukraine urgently needs, including protecting its ports from Russian attacks as well as opening up the blockaded Mykolaiv port. The
Ukraine war latest: Black Sea ceasefire will take effect after some sanctions are lifted, Kremlin claims
Key developments on March 25: * Black Sea ceasefire will take effect after some sanctions are lifted, Kremlin claims * Kremlin names energy facilities exempt from strikes during partial ceasefire * Ukrainian airstrike kills up to 30 Russian soldiers in Kursk Oblast, military claims * Russia seeks full control of partially occupied Ukrainian regions
Partial ceasefire in Ukraine should start on March 25, Zelensky says
"We believe that, after Washington makes two official statements... the ceasefire in the sea and the energy ceasefire must come into effect, in (the Americans') opinion," Zelensky said. "Undoubtedly this depends on orders given by the presidents to their military forces."
Black Sea ceasefire will take effect after some sanctions are lifted, Kremlin says
The Kremlin said that the Black Sea ceasefire would come into effect after the West lifts the sanctions against Russia's Rosselkhozbank and other financial organizations involved in supporting international food trade operations and restores their connection to the SWIFT messaging system.
Russia, Ukraine agree to partial ceasefire in Black Sea, US to help restore Russia's access to markets
Washington vowed to help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.
Waltz to reportedly discuss Black Sea ceasefire with Russian counterpart on March 25
U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is scheduled discuss a possible ceasefire deal in the Black Sea with his Russian counterpart later on March 25, Fox News reported.
Russia backs resuming Black Sea Initiative in more 'acceptable' form, Lavrov says
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that the issue was the focus of the 12-hour Russian-U.S. talks in Riyadh on March 24.
Ukraine, US conclude another round of talks in Riyadh, media reports
Ukrainian and U.S. delegations are scheduled to meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on March 25, AFP reported, citing a source within the Ukrainian delegation.
(Updated: )
Most popular
Editors' Picks
Arrests, raids, beaten and bloodied suspects — how Russia-Azerbaijan relations have unravelled
'Major casualties among civilians' — US freeze on air defense missiles is terrible news for Ukraine
Investigation: How Russia prepares its strategic missile plant for ‘eternal war’
