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

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.

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

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

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

Ukraine introduces martial law citing threat of Russian invasion
A river winds through a city full of buildings and skyscrapers.

Erdogan's 'crazy' canal alarms villagers and environmentalists

Erdogan's 'crazy' canal alarms villagers and environmentalists

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.

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

Ukraine's violence infects the multicultural city of Odessa
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?

When do you start calling the situation in eastern Ukraine a war?
Natalia Antonova at the beach in Crimea with her child, 2011.

Want to know one of Crimea's best-kept secrets? Nude beaches

There's a place we want you to name in The World's snap Geo Quiz for Tuesday. It's a bay on the shores of the Black Sea. And it's famous for — get this —its nude beaches.

Want to know one of Crimea's best-kept secrets? Nude beaches

What can the US do about Russia's occupation of Crimea?

As the Russian military moves into Crimea, there seem to be few good options for the US and NATO. Retired Brigadier General Kevin Ryan sees economic sanctions as one of the few tools, but that requires time and a focus on the long-term strategy.

What can the US do about Russia's occupation of Crimea?
A monument in Sevastopol to the city's heroic defense against the Nazis in World War Two

Here’s why Russia won’t let go of Crimea

Russia's military moves since the fall of Ukraine's government last week seem to signal one thing. Russia is not prepared to lose the Crimea. And the reason is pretty straightforward, if you look at history.

Here’s why Russia won’t let go of Crimea
"Mountain people" from the 1860s. These warriors held off the Russian empire for 47 years. Many were ethnically cleansed after the Russian conquest in 1864.

Sochi has a long and difficult past, including a little-known genocide

Islamic militants have threatened to disrupt the Sochi Olympics in part because they claim the Games are taking place on former Muslim lands. Local Muslim tribes were ethnically cleansed by the Russians in the 19th century. And that's just one small piece of Sochi's history.

Sochi has a long and difficult past, including a little-known genocide
Lyubov Varicheva teaches English at the Sochi College of Multicultural Education in Russia. She says because of "volunteering" demands on teachers here, her students probably won’t get much in the way of instruction during the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Many in Sochi are excited to show off their city for the Olympics — but not all

Russians are getting ready to show off Sochi for the 2014 Olympics, but not everyone is excited. Some residents have paid a hefty price in order for the games to be played here.

Many in Sochi are excited to show off their city for the Olympics — but not all
Russian police check a driver's documents in Sochi December 30, 2013.

Russia ramps up Olympic security in Sochi, but can they do it with a smile?

Russia today began locking down the southern city of Sochi, a month before the Winter Olympics get underway. Tens of thousands of police and army troops are being deployed in and around the Black Sea resort. So can Russia provide security without suffocating the Olympic atmosphere?

Russia ramps up Olympic security in Sochi, but can they do it with a smile?

Women Aren't Strangers to Combat

Women Aren't Strangers to Combat