Black Sea

Planes in Russia's Pskov hit by drones; military claims Ukrainian vessels carrying 50 troops 'destroyed' in Black Sea

A drone attack "has been repelled in Pskov airport," Regional governor Mikhail Vedernikov wrote on Telegram, adding authorities were assessing the damage but there were no casualties

War Risk: Insurers hike premium on cargo ships operating from Black Sea ports, will push up cost of Russian oil to India

According to assessments, while the cost is not exorbitant it only escalates Russia’s costs and, therefore, negatively impacts the country’s overall oil export costs which have constantly surged since February 2022 owing primarily to Western sanctions

Russia hits Ukraine's grain for fourth day, practices seizing ships

Russia's defence ministry on Friday said its Black Sea fleet had practised firing rockets at "floating targets" and apprehending ships. Moscow's ambassador to Washington denied any plan to attack ships

US says Russia may attack civilian shipping in Black Sea

Russia had announced that all ships proceeding to Ukrainian ports in Black Sea waters would be considered potential carriers of military cargo and said US information indicated Russia had laid additional sea mines in the approaches to Ukrainian ports

No further negotiations planned on Black Sea grain deal this week says Ukraine

Ukrainian Black Sea ports were closed following Russia's incursion last year, but access to three of them was restored in July under a deal mediated by the United Nations and Turkey between Moscow and Kyiv

Polish aircraft temporarily loses control after being intercepted by Russian fighter jet over Black Sea

Warsaw noted that the Russian jet flew close enough to be near the Polish plane's nose and crossed its path at a distance of around five metres

Europe, US mulling ways to improve Ukraine’s grain exports

The grain deal has helped ease concerns about the global food supply, especially to countries in Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia where many are already struggling with hunger, but is set to expire May 18 unless renewed

UN chief proposes 'way forward' for Ukraine grain exports

Since last July, a deal has been in place allowing grain from Ukraine to be shipped across the Black Sea after it was previously prohibited due to the conflict with Russia. The exports are essential for ensuring the global food supply

Bulgaria closes ports for all Russian ships in line with EU sanctions

Ships under Russian flags already cannot enter Bulgarian ports catering to the traffic from the Black Sea. The country’s Maritime Administration set the ban on April 17 as part of the fifth package of EU sanctions, making an exception only for deliveries of critical products from Russia

Drone incident hindered US intelligence gathering related to Ukraine war, says senior military official

A decision by President Joe Biden’s administration to reroute drone flights over the Black Sea to avoid provoking a direct conflict with Russian forces has curtailed intelligence gathering on the Ukraine crisis, a senior US military official has said.