Russia redirects ships in Azov Sea after Ukraine strikes

Russia has said it was looking at "alternative shipping routes" and could limit traffic in the Azov Sea due to intensifying Ukrainian strikes, as Kyiv claims to have hit over 100 vessels there in nine days.

The Azov Sea is nestled between Russia, the southern stretch of Ukraine that has been occupied by Moscow's army and Russia-annexed Crimea.

It is an important export route for agricultural products - including grain from occupied Ukraine that Kyiv says is "stolen" - and for supplies to Crimea.

The strikes at sea come as Ukraine has massively intensified long-range drone attacks deep into Russia, causing nationwide fuel shortages.

"Alternative shipping routes are currently being worked out in collaboration with relevant agencies and the business community," Russia's agriculture ministry said in a statement.

It insisted that exports will carry on.

"The situation in the Azov Sea will not affect the domestic market's food supply or our country's export capabilities," the ministry said, saying "supply logistics will be redirected if necessary".

The Russian transport ministry said it was "taking all necessary measures to ensure the smooth operation of freight logistics in light of the increasing number of enemy attacks on the civilian fleet" in the Azov Sea.

It added that "if necessary", some "cargo will be redirected to other modes of transport".

The commander of Ukraine's drone forces said that Ukraine had hit "116 vessels over the past nine days", including several tankers and cargo ships in the Azov Sea.

He said the aim was to damage Russia's "shadow fleet" and to limit Russia's petrol supplies to Moscow-controlled Crimea.

Ukraine's military also said that it struck two Russian oil refineries in the Bashkortostan and Krasnodar regions overnight.

Ukraine's General Staff said on Telegram the strikes caused fires at the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex as well as near the Afipsky oil refinery.

Peace in Ukraine unlikely soon - Tusk

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said it seemed very unlikely that peace in Ukraine would be reached soon and he expected Russia to extend the conflict at least until the winter.

He said he had discussed the situation with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"At this point, it seems unlikely that a ceasefire or peace agreement will be reached in the near future, given the rigid stance of Russia and Putin," Mr Tusk told journalists in Paris.

"Everyone expects an escalation of actions from Russia at this time, and it's quite likely that Russia will want to prolong this war at least until the winter."

Mr Tusk said Poland would host military exercises with French and British troops in the autumn so that they can be prepared to ensure security for Ukraine and the region after a peace agreement or ceasefire is eventually reached.

"These will be exercises that prepare the entire coalition (of the willing) gathered today in Paris for such real security guarantees for Ukraine, but also for the region," he said.