Ukraine struck the Syvash drilling platform in the Black Sea on April 6, describing it as a coordinated operation involving the Navy and Unmanned Systems Forces. According to defence analysts and Ukrainian outlets, the weapon used was the Swedish anti-ship missile RBS 15. The platform was used by Russia for surveillance, communications relay, electronic warfare, and short-range air defense, according to a Ukrainian account.
The RBS-15 is an advanced system developed to strike targets at long distances over the sea, according to major media reports. Saab describes the missile as having anti-ship and land-attack capability, a range over 300 km, and a large warhead. If reports are accurate, this is the first time the RBS 15 system has been shown in active combat in Ukraine, major media reports indicate.
The same night as the Syvash strike, Ukraine attacked the Sheskharis oil terminal at Novorossiysk, causing a large fire and damage, according to Ukrainian reporting. A Russian frigate, Admiral Grigorovich, was reportedly struck during the Novorossiysk attack, with damage assessment ongoing, separate reporting states.
This attack marks a continued development of Ukraine's naval capability, despite large parts of the fleet being destroyed earlier in the war, according to major media analysis.
Meanwhile, Russia has escalated espionage, sabotage, and cyberattacks on UK soil and waters, with UK officials describing a 'grey zone war' with the Kremlin. Russia's spy sensors were discovered in UK waters, some washed ashore and others found by Royal Navy mine-hunting vessels, likely targeting Vanguard-class nuclear submarines, according to research from six sources. Experts believe Russia may be mapping critical underwater infrastructure for sabotage. Grey zone warfare refers to actions between peace and open war, such as undermining oil and gas supplies, money laundering, espionage, and sabotage, according to research from six sources.
The UK is now in a greyzone war with Russia.
Russia has established 'remote seabed platforms' off the UK coast to recharge sensors and map undersea cables for future attacks, according to Tobias Ellwood. Russian hostile acts on UK soil have included the Salisbury nerve agent attack, cyber incidents targeting parliamentarians, espionage, and arson, the UK government reports. In January 2025, the Russian ship Yantar was spotted in UK territorial waters near the English Channel, officially claimed as a research vessel, according to research from six sources.
Kremlin military files from 2024 revealed 32 locations across NATO countries, including three in the UK, that Russia could strike with nuclear or conventional missiles, according to research from six sources.
In response to the ongoing conflict, the UK pledged 150 million pounds in military support to Ukraine, including drones, tanks, armored vehicles, and air defense systems, according to the UK government. The UK confirmed plans to provide Ukraine with an additional 4.5 billion pounds in military assistance in 2025. Furthermore, the UK will provide Ukraine with over 50 armored and protective vehicles, including modernized T-72 tanks, by the end of Spring 2025.
European allies have also bolstered their support. Germany committed to supplying 100 IRIS-T air defense missiles to Ukraine, and Helsing delivered 6,000 AI-equipped drones, according to Germany and Helsing. Norway joined the Ukrainian Drone Coalition and plans to establish and equip Ukraine's 'Northern Brigade' as part of a Nordic initiative. The Netherlands delivered 25 YPR armored infantry vehicles, Latvia donated 42 armored personnel carriers, and Estonia pledged 0.25% of its GDP for military aid to Ukraine in 2025, according to the respective governments.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have made significant gains since Ukraine's incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024, liberating the most territory since the 2023 counteroffensive, according to research from two sources. Ukrainian forces retook at least 183 square kilometers near Kupyansk between December 11 and 25, 2025, and have held gains despite Russian efforts. Ukrainian forces liberated multiple settlements in the Oleksandrivka and Hulyaipole directions in February 2026, with a net gain of 165 square kilometers.
90% of UK data comes from the sea and 60% of gas comes from Norway via one line, making the UK vulnerable to undersea attacks.
Ukrainian forces have ramped up counteroffensive pace, wiping out weeks of Russian gains and liberating multiple settlements in Zaporizhzhia, according to research from six sources. Ukrainian advances have been recorded roughly 80 km east of Zaporizhzhia city, where Russia had been making gains since summer 2025, the Institute for the Study of War reported. Ukrainian forces regained control of territory in northeastern and eastern Ukraine on multiple fronts, research from six sources indicates.
Russia lost just over 5,000 tanks and armored vehicles in 2024, compared with 3,000 in 2023, according to estimates from the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Ukrainian counterattacks may have thrown Russian preparations for a spring offensive off balance, the Institute for the Study of War suggested.
The Institute for the Study of War attributed Ukrainian successes to Starlink disconnecting illegal Russian terminals and the Kremlin partly disabling Telegram, which Russian troops used for military communications. Ukrainian counterattacks are likely leveraging the recent block on Russian access to Starlink, which Ukraine and SpaceX implemented in February, the Institute for the Study of War reported.
Ukrainian authorities informed SpaceX that Russian troops used Starlink on attack drones to strike deeper into Ukraine, with evidence of 'hundreds' of attacks, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukraine launched verification of all Starlink terminals and a whitelist system, causing Russian complaints about communications issues. Ukrainian cyber forces posed as a Russian-linked service to gather identifying information from Russian soldiers trying to reactivate Starlink terminals, according to research from six sources.
Russia captured Pokrovsk after a two-year campaign, but it had ceased to be operationally significant by Winter 2025 due to earlier strikes, the Institute for the Study of War reported.
Several key unknowns persist in this evolving conflict. Ukraine has not formally confirmed the use of the RBS-15 missile in the Syvash strike, as alleged by defence analysts and outlets. The extent of damage to the Russian frigate remains unclear as assessment continues. The full scope and impact of Russian espionage operations, including how many sensors or platforms are active, remains uncertain. The exact timeline and success rate of Ukrainian disruptions to Russian offensive preparations remain based on analysis and allegations. The number of Russian soldiers affected by the Starlink verification system and its impact on communications is not fully known.