Ukraine pauses tanker strikes near Novorossiysk after Vance appeal

Ukraine has suspended its drone strikes on oil tankers operating out of Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, following a request made late last month by US Vice President JD Vance, according to Ukrainian officials.

The move comes amid US concerns that the attacks were further destabilising already volatile global oil markets. Washington was also worried that the strikes were harming American commercial interests, as the targeted tankers were carrying crude piped from Kazakhstan to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal located within the Russian port.

The decision to pause the strikes marks a notable shift in Ukraine's maritime campaign, which had previously targeted Russian energy infrastructure. The request from Vance, delivered at the end of July, appears to have been heeded by Kyiv, though the full scope and duration of the pause remain unclear.

Neither the White House nor Ukrainian authorities have publicly confirmed the details of the arrangement. The report, which cites unnamed Ukrainian officials, could not be independently verified.