Black Sea | Axios Times

Russia Intercepts British Spy Plane Over Black Sea, UK Defense Ministry Condemns

Two Russian fighter jets made multiple dangerous approaches to an unarmed Royal Air Force surveillance aircraft over the Black Sea in April, according to the UK Ministry of Defense. The incident occurred while the Rivet Joint was conducting a routine reconnaissance mission in international airspace to protect NATO's eastern flank. UK Defense Secretary John Healey condemned the actions as creating a serious risk of accident and escalation.

May 20, 2026

World

Russian Drone Strikes Chinese-Owned Ship in Black Sea Ahead of Putin's Beijing Visit

A Russian drone struck a Chinese-owned cargo ship in the Black Sea on March 1, one day before President Putin's visit to Beijing. No injuries were reported among the all-Chinese crew, and the vessel continued to its destination port.

May 18, 2026

World

Environmental Catastrophe on Russia's Black Sea Coast: The Consequences of Internal Policies

Weeks after Ukraine's drone attacks on Russian oil infrastructure in April 2025, the Black Sea coast faces one of modern history's worst environmental disasters, with oil spills, mass wildlife deaths, and a slow government response. The crisis raises questions about wartime environmental destruction, as activists debate the justification of such attacks while structural causes like deregulation and dismantled environmental protections are overlooked. Russian authorities focus more on silencing critics and reopening beaches than addressing the disaster's scale, highlighting deeper issues in international law and imperial patterns of exploitation.

May 8, 2026

World

Fire at Tuapse Seaport Extinguished

A fire at the seaport in Tuapse, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, was fully extinguished by the morning of May 2 after being sparked by debris from a Ukrainian UAV. No casualties were reported. Firefighters brought the flames under control by 9:22 a.m. Moscow time.

May 2, 2026

World

Fire Extinguished at Tuapse Seaport

Firefighters fully extinguished an open fire at the Tuapse seaport in Russia's Krasnodar region early on May 2, 2026. The blaze was quickly brought under control by emergency services. No details on cause or damage have been released.

May 2, 2026

World

Ukraine drone strike on Russian oil refinery triggers environmental disaster

Ukrainian drone strikes on a major Russian oil refinery in Tuapse have caused an oil spill and black rain, forcing the town's evacuation. Volunteers describe widespread contamination, toxic air, and severe harm to wildlife. The incident adds to a growing list of environmental disasters linked to the war.

Apr 30, 2026