Black Sea

A visitor feeds straw to the zoo's four giraffes from outside their enclosure.

Ukraine’s zoos struggle to stay afloat during war, with traumatized animals and dwindling resources

Ukraine

Due to depleted money reserves and uncertainty on when Russia’s war in Ukraine may end, zoo staffers at Zoo XII Months say they’re in worse shape than ever before. The animals remain distressed and, with virtually no visitors, the privately owned zoo isn’t making money.

In just the first month of the war, scientists reported more than 80 dolphin deaths on the Turkish coast, according to the Turkish Marine Research Foundation. 

A spate of dolphin deaths in the Black Sea prompts scientists to search for answers

Environment
Yörük Işık, an independent Istanbul-based geopolitical analyst, is among a small group of ship watchers —  some hobbyists, some professionals — who observe ship traffic in Turkey’s Bosphorus Strait. 

At the mouth of the Black Sea, a ship spotter watches for clues amid Ukraine war

Ukraine
Ukrainian politician Oleh Lyashko is shown with several people behind standing at a podium pointing his finger during a parliament session.

Ukraine introduces martial law citing threat of Russian invasion

Global Politics
A river winds through a city full of buildings and skyscrapers.

Erdogan’s ‘crazy’ canal alarms villagers and environmentalists

Environment
A Ukrainian flag tumbles to the street, after being thrown by pro-Russian protesters from the top of a district council building in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s violence infects the multicultural city of Odessa

Violence in Ukraine has now spread to the city of Odessa, a resort town on the Black Sea. Writer Keith Gessen tells PRI’s The World that Odessa has always been a special place to Ukrainians and Russians, known as a city where many cultures mixed.

A Ukrainian flag tumbles to the street, after being thrown by pro-Russian protesters from the top of a district council building in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s violence infects the multicultural city of Odessa

Violence in Ukraine has now spread to the city of Odessa, a resort town on the Black Sea. Writer Keith Gessen tells PRI’s The World that Odessa has always been a special place to Ukrainians and Russians, known as a city where many cultures mixed.

Pro-Russian armed men take positions near the town of Slaviansk, eastern Ukraine, May 5, 2014. Pro-Russian separatists ambushed Ukrainian forces on Monday, triggering heavy fighting on the outskirts of the rebel stronghold of Slaviansk, Interior Minister

When do you start calling the situation in eastern Ukraine a war?

With Ukraine’s military in heavy fighting with pro-Russian separatists, has Ukraine slipped into a civil war?

Pro-Russian armed men take positions near the town of Slaviansk, eastern Ukraine, May 5, 2014. Pro-Russian separatists ambushed Ukrainian forces on Monday, triggering heavy fighting on the outskirts of the rebel stronghold of Slaviansk, Interior Minister

When do you start calling the situation in eastern Ukraine a war?

With Ukraine’s military in heavy fighting with pro-Russian separatists, has Ukraine slipped into a civil war?

A reporter remembers Odessa as a place of humor, not violence

For many, it’s hard to imagine the violence playing out now in Odessa — the charming port city on the Black Sea is known for its literature, arts, and perhaps above all else, humor. It’s especially hard for The World’s reporter Jason Margolis.For many, it’s hard to imagine the violence playing out now in Odessa — the charming port city on the Black Sea is known for its literature, arts, and perhaps above all else, humor. It’s especially hard for The World’s reporter Jason Margolis.