Kremlin says Russia is responding to Ukrainian attacks in the Black Sea

The Kremlin says Russia's recent actions are a response to attacks carried out by Ukraine in the Black Sea, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying Kyiv must face consequences for the strikes.

Peskov said Ukraine 'must pay a price' for what he described as maritime attacks, framing Russia's own actions as a reaction to that activity rather than an independent escalation.

Ongoing maritime tensions

The Black Sea has been a recurring flashpoint in the war, with both Russia and Ukraine periodically reporting attacks on vessels, infrastructure and military assets in the area.

Peskov's comments did not specify which particular Ukrainian attacks prompted the described Russian response, nor did they detail what form that response has taken.

Ukraine has not issued an immediate public reply to Peskov's remarks, and independent verification of the sequence of events described by the Kremlin was not available.

Maritime security in the Black Sea has remained a significant concern for regional shipping and for countries dependent on grain and other exports transiting the area since the war began.