Russia Strikes Ukrainian Ports Hours After Black Sea Ceasefire Agreement

The fragile U.S.-brokered truce faces immediate challenges as Moscow demands sanctions relief and continues hostilities.

Russia launched drone strikes on Ukrainian Black Sea ports, including Mykolaiv, shortly after agreeing to a partial ceasefire aimed at halting attacks on ships and energy infrastructure.
The Kremlin has conditioned the ceasefire's implementation on the lifting of sanctions related to agricultural and fertilizer exports, raising questions about its commitment to the agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russia of manipulating the terms of the deal and emphasized the need for international accountability.
The United States agreed to help restore Russia's access to global agricultural markets as part of the negotiations, a move criticized for disproportionately benefiting Moscow without securing significant concessions.
Skepticism grows internationally as analysts and officials highlight Russia's strategic use of the ceasefire talks to gain leverage while continuing military operations.