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Russian tanker breaks apart in storm, spills fuel in Black Sea

December 16, 2024

A Russian tanker carrying more than 4,300 tons of oil split apart during a severe storm in the Black Sea on Sunday, spilling an undetermined amount of its cargo near the Kerch Strait off the coast of Crimea. Officials said they are assessing the potential environmental impact.

The tanker, identified as the Volgoneft 212, split approximately five miles from shore amid heavy waves.

Emergency crews rescued 13 crew members; 11 were hospitalized for hypothermia, with two in serious condition. At least one crew member died, Russian officials said.

The waves cut the russian tanker "Volgoneft-212" in half near the coast of Kerch.

It was carrying four tons of fuel oil. 15 crew members ended up at sea. The ship is sinking quickly.

The water temperature in Kerch is currently 7.5°C. pic.twitter.com/uZ1kBRBPYJ
— Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 (@jurgen_nauditt) December 15, 2024

Investigators are examining possible causes of the accident, including structural damage from the storm and potential human error.

Videos shared on social media showed the tanker breaking apart as waves battered its deck. The video also showed the oil spreading across the water.

Officials have not yet determined the extent of the oil spill.

The Volgoneft 212, built in the 1980s, was primarily designed for river navigation and calm coastal waters. Reports suggested that modifications made in the 1990s may have weakened the vessel’s structure, making it more vulnerable to harsh sea conditions.

A second tanker, the Volgoneft 239, also sustained damage during the storm. It ran aground approximately 260 feet from shore near the Russian port of Taman. The crew remained onboard due to rough seas but has access to essential supplies, authorities said.

The Kerch Strait is a vital shipping route for Russian energy exports and grain shipments from areas of Ukraine under Russian control. The region has been tense since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the government to form a task force to manage rescue operations and address the spill’s aftermath. Emergency services deployed helicopters and tugboats to assist, but severe weather has hampered response efforts.
Zelenskyy accuses Russia of attack on Ukrainian grain ship in Black Sea

September 13, 2024
In what Ukraine’s foreign minister called “a brazen attack on freedom of navigation and global food security” on Thursday, Sept. 12, Kyiv accused Moscow of striking a civilian grain vessel in the Black Sea with cruise missiles near Romania. It is reportedly the first time that a missile hit a civilian vessel transporting grains at sea since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, some ships have sustained damage while moored during the war.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the vessel carrying Ukrainian grain to Egypt was struck just after it left the country’s territorial waters on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The ship reportedly sustained heavy damage to its port side, including a cargo hold and crane. However, there are no reports of any deaths or injuries.

Meanwhile, traders said the incident is leading to concerns over a dwindling supply of wheat in the Black Sea export zone and resulted in higher grain prices.

The alleged attack from Russia came as NATO allies, including the United States, are considering allowing Kyiv to launch deeper strikes into Russia.

President Joe Biden is meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, Sept. 13. The two reportedly plan to discuss the possibility of lifting weapons restrictions on Ukraine. However, Moscow warned if the green light is given to Kyiv, it will respond.

The United States accused Iran on Tuesday of supplying ballistic missiles to Russia. Those claims appeared to be correct on Wednesday after satellite imagery showed a Russian ship carrying Iranian ballistic missiles on Sept. 4. The revelations have prompted Ukrainian allies to reconsider their limits on Western-supplied weapons to Kyiv.
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Maritime battlespace is growing, needs innovations: Weapons and Warfare

June 19, 2024
This episode of Weapons and Warfare is taking a nautical turn and heading to the beach. As conflicts like the ones in the Red, Black and South China Seas continue to evolve, so too does the need for new innovations in the maritime battlespace. Host Ryan Robertson takes a look at what two companies focused on open waters and tech are doing to stay in front of the pack.

Also featured in this episode:
- Ukraine is deciding where to park some of its new F-16 fighter jets, and they may end up abroad.
- After the signing of a withdrawal agreement on May 19, the U.S. is now starting the withdrawal of troops from Niger.
- The Swiss Air Force turned a highway near Bern into a runway, with an F-18 touching down during a training exercise.
- Weapon of the week: Blueye Robotics is taking affordable tech to new depths.
You can subscribe to the Weapons and Warfare podcast on the platform of your choosing here.
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Russia forming new armies, building railroads in Ukraine

March 27, 2024

Russia is still reeling from the attack at a concert that killed more than 130 people. ISIS-K, a wing of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the attack which also injured more than 180 people. However, Moscow is doing its best to tie Ukraine to the attacks and drum up more support for its war effort.

https://twitter.com/ianbremmer/status/1772972086648025277

Russian forces launched a massive volley of missiles and drones against Ukraine following the terrorist attack, seemingly in reprisal. U.S. intelligence agencies said they have proof confirming the ISIS-K claim, but it’s expected Putin and propagandists in Russian state media will still push the Ukraine narrative as a means to keep up recruiting numbers.

Ukraine started warning weeks ago that Russia was preparing for a large summer offensive. Two days before the attack at the concert hall, Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, announced the formation of two new armies this year.

https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1772210313892401479

The British Ministry of Defence said it’s not clear what type of units will make up the new armies, but they will likely include mechanized, armored, artillery and logistics brigades.

The U.K. said Russia’s recruiting efforts continue to be successful. So, the new armies shouldn’t have a staffing problem. But if recent history holds true, it’s likely the new armies will run into the same problems as the current armies. Specifically, the U.K.’s Defence Intelligence agency cites limited training, an over-reliance on what they’re politely calling legacy vehicles, and a wealth of infrastructure issues that are creating resource problems.

How credible is a Russian space-based nuclear threat?

Russian equipment losses just passed the 15,000 mark, meaning Russian forces are driving around decades-old tanks, trucks and armored vehicles. All of these don’t perform nearly as well as more modern models but can still be effective in large enough numbers.

While Ukraine’s preparations for the pending Russian offensive continue all along the front lines, in the air, Ukrainian drone crews are finding new success against Russian oil refineries. Since the start of the year, there were attacks on at least seven facilities.

The forced shutdowns amount to a nearly 7% drop in daily output. Despite international sanctions, oil continues to be a primary source of income for Moscow, which is why so many military analysts call the refineries legitimate targets.

Putin says Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons if threatened

Russia said it would put Pantsir air defense systems around refineries to protect them, but that means fewer air defense systems elsewhere. Like shipyards, where Ukrainian long-range cruise missiles continue to add to the number of Russian ships at the bottom of the Black Sea.

A new rail line might make Russia’s Black Sea fleet unnecessary, at least in terms of resupply. Vladimir Putin recently said a new 60-kilometer stretch of railroad was just completed between Kolosky and Kamianka, in occupied Ukraine. That rail line is supposed to tie into existing rail lines that lead to Melitopol in southern Ukraine and another that leads to Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia.

Ukraine’s sea drones keeping Russia’s warships at bay

Rostov is the capital of Russia’s Southern Military District. It’s also the main hub for resupply for troops in southern Ukraine and occupied Crimea. According to Putin, this rail line will eventually extend down into Crimea to Sevastopol, where the Russian Black Sea fleet is stationed.

The new railroad is meant as a backup to the Kerch Bridge supply, which goes from Russia into occupied Crimea from the east. Like the Kerch bridge, the rail line will be a primary target for Ukraine’s armed forces.

Ukraine and Russia now strapping shrapnel mines to drones

During the Ukrainian counteroffensive in 2023, Ukraine’s primary goal was to cut off Russian troops in southern Ukraine, by pushing down from their territory to the Sea of Azov. Ukraine also heavily attacked the Kerch Bridge in an effort to trap the Russian forces that are in southern Ukraine and occupied Crimea.

Why do they want to do that? Well, for many military analysts, that’s the best way for Ukraine to win. If Ukraine can create and hold areas that would cut off resupply to large numbers or Russian troops and civilians in Crimea, then Ukraine has the best bargaining chip possible to force possibly a Russian withdrawal from occupied territories, and potentially the end of the war.

Russia wants tourists in Crimea to travel through Ukraine war zone

Reuters contributed to this report.
Ukraine says it sank another warship, disabled 1/3 of Russian Black Sea fleet

February 14, 2024
Ukraine’s military claims its attack drones sank a Russian warship in the Black Sea. The announcement on Wednesday, Feb. 14, came following the release of a video allegedly showing three Magura V5 drones attacking the Caesar Kunikov — an amphibious Russian ship — resulting in an explosion and plume of smoke coming from the vessel.

Ukranian forces said the sea-based drones punctured three “critical holes” in the ship, according to CNN. CNN also noted that the Ukrainian military shifted its focus to the Black Sea, striking Crimean and Russian ships in an effort to cut off the peninsula from Russian forces.

NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday during a press conference that victories by Ukraine in the Black Sea have opened up a vital shipping route, allowing Ukraine to export grain and other resources, according to CNN.

CNN also reported that Ukraine had no large ships in the Black Sea. Sea drones have been pivotal in leveling the playing field with Russia’s navy. A Ukrainian navy spokesperson told CNN that Russia has just five large landing ships remaining in the Black Sea.

In January, Ukrainian drones also sank another large Russian warship, the Ivanovets in the Black Sea. Ukrainian intelligence said the ship was valued at $70 million.

The sea-based drones used in the attacks against Russian ships can carry a payload of 700 pounds and reach a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour, according to CNN.

One of Ukraine’s drone pilots told CNN that drones have given Ukraine an advantage in the Black Sea because they are hard to detect and target, allowing them to infiltrate waters around Russian warships.

Reuters reported that Ukrainian forces claim to have disabled 25 Russian ships and one Russian submarine. Ukrainian forces said that in total they have destroyed 33% of Russia’s naval fleet in the Black Sea.

A Russian spokesperson did not confirm Ukraine’s attack on the Caesar Kunikov and instead deferred all questions to the Russian military.

Ukraine’s General Staff told The Associated Press that the Caesar Kunikov sank near Alupka, a city on southern edge of the Crimean Peninsula. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. Ukrainian intelligence said the ship that allegedly sank can carry up to 87 crew members.
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Britain is trying to give Ukraine minehunters: Weapon of the week

January 9, 2024
The premiere episode of Weapons & Warfare delves into the British government’s plans to give Ukraine two Royal Navy ships: Sandown class minehunters. These ships can seek, detect and destroy individual mines.

Russia has been using tanks, landmines, artillery barrages and more in its ground offensive against Ukraine. Beyond land assaults, though, Russia has been attempting to block Ukrainian access to the Black Sea, limiting its ability to export grain.

Designed by British shipbuilder Vosper Thornycroft, only 15 Sandowns were ever made, with the first entering service in 1989. The nearly 174-foot-long ships have a 35-man crew and cruise at a top speed of 13 knots — around 15 mph.

The ships are armed with six guns but are mostly for self-defense. The armaments include a 30 millimeter rapid-fire cannon, three Browning 50 caliber miniguns and two general-purpose machine guns.

Another key tool is the SeaFox mine disposal unmanned underwater vehicle system (UUV), an underwater drone that can detect mines planted at sea. They also act as surveillance tools, helping Ukrainian sailors detect Russian submarine routes.

The promise of new sea technology comes at a time when Russia’s losses in the Black Sea are mounting. At least 17 Russian vessels were struck from February 2022 through November 2023.

Despite Britain’s promises of new ships, Turkey is hesitant to let the ships pass through the Bosphorus Strait. The Turks want to keep the Strait from becoming a part of the theater of war.

Access the full Weapons & Warfare episode here.

Access all Weapons & Warfare podcast episodes here.
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Tanker in Ukraine calls tank help line in Russia, gets help

October 3, 2023

Soldiers in Ukraine captured a Russian tank on the battlefield. A Ukrainian soldier called tech support in Russia for help and actually got through.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1709206136065302600

We’ve all been there. You get a new appliance or vehicle, and something isn’t working right. So, you call the customer service support line and hope the person on the other end can help you out.

Well, this exact scenario happened in Ukraine recently. The incident was recorded and posted to the Militarnyi Videonews YouTube channel.

In the video, a Ukrainian tanker is unsatisfied with the working conditions of his captured Russian T-72B3 tank. It’s one of Russia’s somewhat newer tanks. The Ukrainian tanker, callsign Kochevnik, called tech support at the factory that produced the tank, one of Uralvagonzavod’s Russia, and actually got through.

US sending Ukraine depleted uranium rounds is ‘bad news’ for Russia

Kochevnik told the operator the tank was spewing oil, had several broken compressors and the turret could only be cranked by hand, because the electric motor went out.

Russia is rushing to replace tanks lost in Ukraine

The Russian tech support operator told the Ukrainian tanker he’d report the problems to the design bureau at the factory, and that the engine manufacturer would be made aware of the issues as well.

It was at this point in the conversation Kochevnik revealed he was in fact not Russian, but Ukrainian, ending the call with the standard, “Slava Ukraini (Glory to Ukraine)!”

It’s no secret, Russia is losing a lot of tanks in Ukraine. Drones destroy some. Mines, artillery, rockets and missiles are also proven tank killers.

Ukraine’s drones dropping Russian mines on Russian soldiers

Ukraine’s General Staff reported on its social media as of Sept. 1, Russia lost almost 4,500 tanks in Ukraine. Russian armored vehicle losses and artillery systems are also said to be in the thousands.

Russian losses aren’t just stacking up on land, its vaunted Black Sea Fleet is now functionally defeated according to reporting out of the United Kingdom. A series of drone and missile attacks on Russian ships forced the Russian navy to disperse the remaining vessels, rendering them combat ineffective in the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s counteroffensive is entering its fifth month. Fortified Russian defenses slowed Ukraine’s progress to a near crawl, calling into question Ukraine’s strategy for fighting the war. Ukraine’s leadership and military pushed back on its critics, saying no one knows how to fight the war with Russia better than the country actually doing the fighting.

Biden admin sending $325 million in military resources to Ukraine
Prigozhin aside, Aug. 23 was good to Ukraine

August 25, 2023
Yevgeny Prigozhin may be dead, but Wednesday, Aug. 23 was a good day for Ukraine. The Ukrainian armed forces took out a major missile installation in Crimea.

Prigozhin’s reported death marked the second occasion in the mercenary’s time on Earth when he reportedly died in a plane crash. The first happened in the Congo in 2019.

This time around, Prigozhin, his second in command Dmitry Utkin, and other Wagner leaders were flying to St. Petersburg from Moscow. Witnesses reported hearing two explosions before the plane fell from the sky.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1695000207736414671

“Even if he really is dead, this is still only the beginning of the story, because this means there is now an opening in Putin’s inner circle for another person who can be used who can be a little bit of plausible deniability,” Geopolitical expert and Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan said.

In addition to fighting in Ukraine, Prigozhin and his private military company worked extensively in places like the Central African Republic and Sudan. The mercenaries fulfill security contracts for local governments, and Wagner holds the rights to several lucrative mines. Wagner was often employed to carry-out covert missions for the Russian Federation.

A memorial for the allegedly dead war criminal popped up outside the Wagner Group offices. In addition to flowers, mourners brought a sledgehammer, one of the Wagner Group’s favorite tools to mete out discipline.

https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1694693578889433531

Plenty of conversations, rumors and conspiracies about whether Putin ordered the death of Prigozhin have popped up since his reported death. In the midst of fighting in Ukraine, Prigozhin led a failed mutiny against Russia’s military leaders in June. Putin said those involved with the treachery would be punished.

Prigozhin’s plane blowing up wasn’t the only explosion to rock Russian morale amid its war with Ukraine Wednesday. A major missile base blew up at around 10:00 am in Russian-occupied Crimea. It’s not clear whether Ukraine used a drone, cruise missile or soldiers on the ground to take out the Cape Tarkhankut missile site.

https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1694294328317743123

An S-400 missile battery, a Bastion anti-ship cruise missile battery and a host of radars were all destroyed. Ukraine’s intelligence service added every Russian soldier at the site was killed.

The missile site was vital to Russia’s defense strategy in Crimea, southern Ukraine and the western corridor of the Black Sea. Ukraine has been trying to cut off Crimea and southern Ukraine from the rest of the Russian forces.

Russia anticipated this strategy, setting up the air and naval defenses at the cape. With those assets now a smoldering pile, Ukraine’s ambition to create a Crimean blockade is that much closer to reality.

Russia wants tourists in Crimea to travel through Ukraine war zone

Less than a day after the missile batteries were destroyed, Ukrainian special forces reportedly carried out a mission in Crimea. Radio Free Europe reported the special operators raised a Ukrainian flag in the territory, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. If Ukraine succeeds in cutting off Crimea from Russia, it could recapture the territory with minimal combat.

After months of secret negotiations, a Russian helicopter pilot successfully defected to Ukraine Wednesday. They Kyiv Post reported the pilot landed his Mi-8 craft, which was carrying parts for Russian fighter jets, at a base in Ukraine.

While the pilot’s defection was planned, the other two crew members aboard were unwilling to surrender. Ukraine’s military intelligence said they were killed.

US sending Ukraine Black Hornet swarms
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Maui wildfires deadliest in US in 100+ years: The Rundown Aug. 14, 2023

August 14, 2023

The Maui wildfires have now become some of the deadliest in United States history, and cameras captured a plane crashing during an air show. These stories and more highlight The Rundown for Monday, Aug. 14, 2023.

Maui wildfires deadliest in U.S. in more than a century

The wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui are now the deadliest the U.S. has seen in more than 100 years. The death toll has increased daily since the fires first broke out nearly a week ago.

At least 96 people have died in total. Hundreds of people were still unaccounted for as of early morning on Monday, Aug. 14.

Nearly 3,000 structures were destroyed as the blaze traveled with the help of 60 mph winds. Not only is it the worst U.S. wildfire in more than a century, it’s also Hawaii’s largest natural disaster ever.

Recovery efforts are expected to exceed $6 billion. The death toll is expected to continue to go up as search and rescue teams go door-to-door to find those missing.

Residents on some portions of the island said there were no evacuation warnings until it was too late. An investigation into the response efforts of local officials, led by the state’s attorney general, is underway.

Russian ruble falls to 17-month low against dollar

The Russian ruble has hit a 17-month low against the U.S. dollar on Aug. 14, as the war in Ukraine pressed on. The ruble, now worth less than one penny, has lost nearly 40% of its value this year. The Bank of Russia has blamed this on the country’s shrinking balance of trade.

The news comes after a Russian warship fired warning shots at a cargo vessel in the Black Sea on Sunday, Aug. 13. The incident marked the first time the country has fired on a merchant ship beyond Ukraine since exiting the U.N.-brokered grain deal in July of 2023.

The Russian Ministry of Defense said the shots were fired to force the cargo vessel to stop after it didn’t respond for an inspection. One Ukranian official called the warning shots “a clear violation of international law.”

Also on Monday, Aug. 14, Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched missiles and Iranian-made drones at Odessa overnight. Three supermarket employees were injured. On Sunday, Aug. 13, seven people were killed due to Russian shelling in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region.

Russia announced it will be equipping its new nuclear submarines with hypersonic zircon missiles. Earlier in 2023, Russian president Vladimir Putin said the country would start supplies of the missiles as part of Russia’s efforts to boost its nuclear forces.

Hunter Biden Lawyers: DOJ backed out of plea deal

In a late court filing on Sunday, Aug. 13, lawyers for Hunter Biden said the Justice Department reneged on the plea deal that would have resolved the tax and gun charges against him. In the filing, Biden’s team said prosecutors had proposed and largely dictated the language in the plea deal.

At a July hearing, Biden had expected to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges as part of the agreement. He ended up pleading not guilty after the judge raised questions about the deal.

Federal prosecutors in Delaware have said Biden may be headed for a criminal trial after the plea negotiation broke down. On Friday, Aug. 11, Attorney General Merrick Garland named U.S. Attorney David Weiss a special counsel in the investigation. Weiss, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, has been investigating Biden since 2019.

Fighter jet crashes during air show, pilots eject into lake

A plane unexpectedly went down during an air show over Michigan. Two pilots were able to eject from the aircraft by parachute and were able to safely land in a lake.

https://twitter.com/danphillips46/status/1690821669206523905

The aircraft eventually crashed at a nearby apartment complex. No injuries were reported.

The aircraft was a Russian fighter jet on display at the “Thunder Over Michigan” air show. The Federal Aviation Administration has begun an investigation into the cause of the crash.

FTX founder’s bail revoked over witness tampering

Sam Bankman-Fried is no longer on house arrest. The founder of the now-bankrupt crypto-exchange company FTX will remain in jail until his criminal trial begins Oct. 2.

A judge revoked Bankman-Fried’s bail, saying he attempted to tamper with witnesses at least twice. Since Bankman-Fried’s arrest in December of 2022, he’s been out on a $250 million bail. He has been staying at his parent’s house in California.

Zuckerberg: ‘It’s time to move on’ from Musk cage fight

The highly anticipated cage fight between Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk could be just a pipe dream after Zuckerberg accused Musk of not agreeing to a day and time to fight. Zuckerberg said Musk “isn’t serious” and that “it’s time to move on” from the idea of a fight.

Musk wrote on his social media platform X on Aug. 11 that the cage fight would take place. He said it would be livestreamed on X and Meta, with all proceeds going toward charities.
Russia threatens ships in Black Sea after ending grain deal

July 20, 2023

Following the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal, Russia said if a foreign ship in the Black Sea sails to a Ukrainian port, Russia’s navy will treat that ship as hostile. Russia went on to say the flagged country of those ships will be treated as a Ukrainian ally.

Telegram: Russia Ministry of Defense

The Russian Ministry of Defense issued the threat on its Telegram social media channel on July 19. The ministry said Russia’s military will assume all foreign ships sailing to Ukraine are carrying weapons.

Brokered by Turkey and the United Nations, the Black Sea grain deal guaranteed safe passage to ships carrying grain from Ukrainian ports through the Turkish Straits and onto markets primarily in Africa and the Middle East. The deal was in place for more than a year, and went through several extensions.

Without Ukrainian grain, millions of people will starve. Before Vladimir Putin launched his invasion, Ukraine produced enough grain to feed 400 million people worldwide.

To prevent mass starvation, NATO may step in to escort civilian ships in the Black Sea. Adm. James Stavridis, the former supreme allied commander of NATO, said Russia’s new policy toward foreign ships could lead to Russian and NATO forces squaring off in the Black Sea.

Russia’s Ukraine invasion squeezing world wheat supply

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he’s willing to broker a deal with Turkey to keep food and fertilizer flowing. Turkey hasn’t responded yet, but it won’t be all that surprising if Turkish President Recep Erdogan takes up Zelenskyy’s offer.

Erdogan closed the Turkish Straits to any warships at the start of the Ukraine war. While Turkey has been somewhat of a problematic partner in NATO before, the country’s leadership seems to be leaning into the alliance lately.

The Turkish Armed Forces navy is almost 200 hulls strong, making it the unrivaled dominant naval power in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Sea. Turkish Armed Forces sail frigates, submarines, missile boats, and landing craft. Turkey’s new flagship, the TCG Anadolu, is an amphibious assault ship that can also serve as a light aircraft carrier for Turkey’s fleet of Bayraktar drones.

Ukraine will build its own Bayraktar drones, Leopard 2 tanks

Russia’s Black Sea Fleet suffered considerable losses since the war started, including its flagship, the Moskva. New intelligence shows Russia is laying additional sea mines near Ukrainian ports. White House National Security Council spokesman Adam Hodge said Russia may try to use the mines to attack civilian ships and blame it on Ukraine.

Moscow pulled out of the grain deal because it said specific conditions still hadn’t been met. The Kremlin said it wanted better terms for its own food and fertilizer sales.

Russia wants tourists in Crimea to travel through Ukraine war zone

For three nights in a row after the grain deal collapsed, Russia attacked Ukraine’s port infrastructure in Odessa and Mykolaiv. The facilities attacked held a million tons of grain that were supposed to be sent to Africa, according to Zelenskyy. Another 60,000 tons of grain meant for China was destroyed in Russian strikes.

In his nightly address Wednesday, Zelenskyy said Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s ports proved “their target is not only Ukraine, and not only the lives of our people.”

Reuters contributed to this report.