The Russian navy has reportedly fired upon and seized three Ukrainian naval vessels off the Crimean Peninsula, in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the two countries.
At least six Ukrainian crew members have been injured, after Russian forces opened fire on and then took control of two Ukrainian gunboats, the Berdyansk and Nikopol, and the Yana Kapa tug boat.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Russian navy then opened fire on two other Ukrainian naval vessels in the Black Sea, following a tense standoff as the three Ukrainian ships were transferring from Odessa on the Black Sea to Mariupol in the Sea of Azov, via the Kerch Strait.
Russia had earlier blockaded the Kerch Strait, mooring an oil tanker beneath a bridge and cutting off access to the Sea of Azov, which is shared between the two countries. Russian fighter jets and helicopters were also reportedly spotted flying at low altitude near the Crimean Bridge.
Russia claimed that “two small Ukrainian armoured artillery vessels” had “illegally entered its territorial waters, attempted illegal actions, and ignored warnings to stop while manoeuvring dangerously”, according to Al Jazeera.
“Weapons were used with the aim of forcibly stopping the Ukrainian warships,” Russia’s FSB security service said in a statement. “As a result, all three Ukrainian naval vessels were seized in the Russian Federation’s territorial waters in the Black Sea.”
The BBC reports that Ukraine president Petro Poroshenko has described Russia’s actions as “unprovoked and crazy”, while Russia has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, which has been scheduled for later today.
-
Five key questions about the Gaza peace dealThe Explainer Many ‘unresolved hurdles’ remain before Donald Trump’s 20-point plan can get the go-ahead
-
See the Northern Lights from these bucket list destinationsThe Week Recommends The dazzling displays can be spotted across Iceland, Sweden and parts of Canada
-
Crossword: October 7, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
US tipped to help Kyiv strike Russian energy sitesSpeed Read Trump has approved providing Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Russia slams Kyiv, hits government buildingSpeed Read This was Moscow's largest aerial assault since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022
-
'Axis of upheaval': will China summit cement new world order?Today's Big Question Xi calls on anti-US alliance to cooperate in new China-led global system – but fault lines remain
-
China's Xi hosts Modi, Putin, Kim in challenge to USSpeed Read Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Asian leaders at an SCO summit
-
Russian strike on Kyiv kills 23, hits EU officesSpeed Read The strike was the second-largest since Russia invaded in 2022
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
