Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has been forced back to base after the worst storm in 100 years hit southern Ukraine and occupied Crimea.

Ukraine’s land counter-offensive this year has made only slow progress. Crimea and much of the south and east of the nation remain in Russian hands. But at sea, the story is hugely more positive: the once powerful Russian Black Sea Fleet has been essentially driven out of the western Black Sea and the port of Odesa has been opened up to international trade,

Anti-aircraft gunners from Ukraine's Air Force have destroyed a Russian Su-24M bomber near Zmiinyi (Snake) Island as it was attempting to launch a missile and bomb strike in the southern part of Odesa Oblast.