Ukrainian Sea Drones Disable Russian-Flagged Tanker in Black Sea
Ukrainian sea drones struck and disabled a tanker involved in trading Russian oil as it sailed through Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea to the Russian port of Novorossiysk, according to a Ukrainian official. This attack marks the third sea drone strike in two weeks on vessels part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” of unregulated and often western-sanctioned ships helping Moscow export oil to fund the war.
The Dashan tanker was sailing at maximum speed with its transponders off when powerful explosions hit its stern, inflicting critical damage, said the official at the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). The strike on the Dashan, which is under EU and British sanctions and is sailing without a known flag registry, was also confirmed by three maritime security sources. “The SBU continues to take active measures to reduce petrodollar revenues to the Russian budget,” said the official.
International Pressure Mounts as Kyiv’s Proposal Reaches Washington
Leaders of the “coalition of the willing” group of nations will hold a video call on Thursday as the chaotic American efforts to push through a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine reach a crunch moment. It comes after the White House attempted to foist upon Ukraine a Moscow-favoured proposal that included giving up even more Ukrainian territory to Russia than the invaders currently illegally occupy. Ukraine on Wednesday said it had sent an updated proposal to Washington that “takes into account Ukraine’s vision – it is a further proposal for adequate solutions to problematic issues … We are not disclosing the details pending the reaction of the American side.”
War in Ukraine Endangers Pregnant Women, Maternal Mortality Rises Sharply
The war in Ukraine is endangering pregnant women, and maternal mortality has risen sharply, according to the United Nations Population Fund. The maternal mortality rate among pregnant women jumped by approximately 37% from 2023 to 2024. The war was putting “more women at risk of dying and more pregnancies ending in life-threatening complications,” said Florence Bauer, the agency’s director for eastern Europe. “These are not abstract statistics – they are people and families living under unbearable stress and reflect a health system under attack.”
US House Passes $900bn Defence Spending Bill Amid Ukraine War
On Capitol Hill, the US House of Representatives passed a $900bn defence spending bill amid ongoing efforts to support Ukraine in its war against Russia. The legislation authorizes funding for military operations and provides resources for the Pentagon’s budget.
Original Article: Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv’s SBU cripples shadow fleet tanker in Black Sea — The Guardian