Zelenskyy says Black Sea will become example of how Ukraine can restore security

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday the "Black Sea will become an example of how Ukraine is able to restore its security and the security of our partners."

"Today, on International Black Sea Day, I want to express my gratitude to you and to all those involved in this important work. The Black Sea will definitely not become an example of how aggressors destroy people's lives," Zelenskyy said in a meeting with Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv.

Zelenskyy said battles with Russia are still going on but they prevented the Black Sea's use as a springboard for landings and attacks against Ukraine's southern regions.

He also said re-taking control of Zmiinyi Island ensured the return of Kyiv's control of the western part of the Black Sea.

"The Russian fleet is gradually being destroyed by our naval drones, our missiles. And our operations in the Black Sea are gradually reaching more distant borders," he said.