Yurii Tokar

🌊 Today is International Black Sea Day. Under the current circumstances, it is not a day to celebrate the sea's immense opportunities, but to raise awareness of the catastrophic consequences of Russia's war of aggression for it. Thirty years ago, six Black Sea states came together to protect the sea from pollution and environmental destruction. Since 2014, Putin's imperial ambitions have made Russia the greatest threat to our sea, turning its waters into a battlefield and a source of pollution, destruction and danger for the entire region. Russia's occupation and militarisation of Crimea, the mining of shipping routes, and repeated attacks on Ukrainian ports and coastal infrastructure have inflicted severe damage on the Black Sea. Moscow has made the sea increasingly dangerous for every country on its shores, threatening marine ecosystems, freedom of navigation, international trade and global food security. The environmental consequences of Russia's aggression will persist long after the fighting ends. No Black Sea country can shield itself from this damage, and the longer Russia continues its war, the higher the price the whole region will pay. It is particularly outrageous that Russia, the country responsible for this destruction, sought to assume the chairmanship of the Black Sea Commission. Earlier this week, Ukraine blocked this attempt. A state that systematically undermines the protection of the Black Sea cannot be entrusted with leading the body responsible for safeguarding it. I urge all Black Sea states to show greater resolve in confronting Russia's actions and demanding accountability for the damage it has caused. We all share the consequences of this aggression. The region must act now, rather than spend decades repairing damage that can still be prevented.

Watch as FEARLESS President William Ruto calls for immediate ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and embraces peaceful settlement of disputes in front of President Vladimir!

Ukraine is the most mine-contaminated country in the world after over 12 years of Russian aggression. Yet the country responsible for contaminating vast areas of Ukrainian land is now set to play a leading role in global mine action as Russian ambassador has been appointed to lead UN mine action. “Entrusting this responsibility to a representative of the aggressor state is deeply troubling and undermines trust in the United Nations,” @SpoxUkraineMFA Heorhii Tykhyi has commented. “This appointment confirms what has been known for years: Russia’s illegitimate occupation of the Soviet Union’s permanent seat on the UN Security Council poisons the entire UN system.”

At least 17 people have been killed in Russia's latest attacks on Ukrainian cities, including two 15-year-old girls. In Dnipro, Russian drones struck a railway station, hitting a platform where a commuter train and a scheduled passenger train were standing. At least 13 people were killed and 10 others injured. In Chernihiv, Russia struck the city centre in broad daylight, when the streets were busy with people. Two 15-year-old girls were killed, and at least nine other people were injured, including children. Homes, businesses, and cars were damaged. In Kremenchuk, Poltava region, a Russian drone hit a residential apartment building, killing two people and injuring nine, including two children. In Zaporizhzhia, an FPV drone struck a minibus in the city centre, injuring one person. Russia also attacked a poultry farm in the Kyiv region, where approximately 16,000 birds were kept. These are ordinary places where people live, work, and travel. Russia continues to attack them, killing civilians and putting more lives at risk. Russia is not de-escalating its war against Ukraine. Easing sanctions while these attacks continue only weakens pressure on the aggressor. Stronger sanctions against Russia's energy sector and war machine are needed to stop its aggression.