Ukraine Regains Control of Seized Black Sea Oil Platforms

The Ukrainian military claims to have recaptured strategic gas and oil drilling platforms from Russia in the Black Sea, providing an energy source and taking back an asset that Russia seized in 2015. The recapture of the platforms is seen as a step closer to regaining Crimea. The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the claim. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to bring back Crimea and has urged international allies to support the effort. Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited Kyiv and promised support for Ukraine's path toward EU membership. Ukrainian forces have also made gains in occupied areas near Bakhmut and in Zaporizhzhia province. The UK Ministry of Defense reported naval and air force skirmishes at sea two weeks ago, and the UK Foreign Office cited intelligence showing that the Russian military allegedly targeted a cargo ship in the Black Sea port of Odesa.