Ukraine Reportedly Strikes Iranian Ship Carrying Weapons to Russia in the Mediterranean

According to reports carried by news agencies today (Sunday), the Ukrainian military attacked an Iranian-owned ship that had departed from a port in Algeria and was carrying weapons for the Russian military. The ship was struck by drones in the Mediterranean Sea, in the area off Libya.

Russian media figure Alexander Nazorov said that the ship, the "Lady Maria," was hit at least 12 times and that its engines were disabled. The "Maria" is operated by Azia Shipping Holdings Ltd, which is based in Cyprus, while Azia Shipping Co, based in Vladivostok, serves as its safety management company. The United States has imposed sanctions on both companies. Until now, the ship had transported weapons to Russia from North Korea.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Force launched 108 attack drones into Russian territory overnight. For their part, the Russians attacked Kyiv and also struck Ukrainian energy infrastructure in the city of Zhytomyr.

Trump’s Envoys Arrive in Kyiv

Today, for the first time since U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term began, his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Kyiv. The two were in Russia yesterday and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their goal: to advance a ceasefire and a plan to end the war. The American envoys had hoped to fly to Kyiv, but ultimately flew to Poland and traveled from there to Ukraine by train. They were received by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A White House official said that "Witkoff and Kushner met with President Putin to advance President Trump’s agenda for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war. They were joined by officials from the NSC, the State Department, and the Treasury Department to discuss proposals for bringing peace to this conflict. Both sides discussed substantive plans for next steps, which will be announced in the coming weeks, and look forward to equally productive meetings in Ukraine."