Ukraine struck an oil tanker belonging to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea on Wednesday, according to an official in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

At least three oil tankers have been hit by explosions in what appears to be a stepped up unilateral effort by Ukraine to sink Russia's sanctions-dodging oil sales.

The latest round of talks between Ukraine and the US aimed at ending the war have just finished in Berlin. Later, Volodymyr Zelenskyy will welcome European leaders to Berlin for an informal dinner. Follow the latest.

Friday’s attacks by Russian forces targeted Chornomorsk and Odesa ports in Ukraine’s southwestern Odesa region on the Black Sea. A Ukrainian navy spokesperson told the Reuters news agency that three Turkish-owned vessels were damaged in total, but did not provide additional details.

Ukraine has relinquished its ambition of joining the NATO military alliance in exchange for Western security guarantees as a compromise to end the war with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ahead of talks with U.S. envoys in Berlin.

Choice to send Steve Witkoff highlights Washington's growing urgency to bridge remaining gaps with Kyiv over plan's terms

More than 20 countries are already members of the Maritime Capabilities Coalition in support of Ukraine. — Ukrinform.

A source in the Security Service of Ukraine told Business Insider that Kyiv has attacked three tankers since late November.