"Controversial Video Emerges: Alleged Killing of Black Sea Fleet Commander in Ukraine War"

The commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, Admiral Viktor Sokolov, who Ukraine claimed it had killed in a missile strike on the Russian naval headquarters in Crimea, has been seen attending a video conference with Russian defense officials. Ukraine said that Sokolov and 33 other naval officers had been killed in the strike, but a video distributed by Russia's defense ministry showed Sokolov participating in the conference. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face challenges in maintaining international support for its cause, as opinion polls show a decline in support for measures backing Ukraine. In the ongoing conflict, Russia has targeted Ukrainian port infrastructure and grain storage facilities in air strikes, and heavy shelling by Russia in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson has resulted in six deaths. The Biden administration has imposed trade curbs on Chinese and Russian companies on national security grounds, and Hungary has further delayed ratifying Sweden's NATO accession. Additionally, Ukraine claims that a large-scale attack on the port of Odesa by Russia is in retaliation for Ukraine's attack on the Russian naval headquarters in Crimea. Poland has attempted to ease tensions with Ukraine after recent disagreements over grain imports.