Ukraine war: Wagner making Africa 'more free', Black Sea spy ship 'destroyed', Moscow drone attack

Russia claims to have downed a Ukrainian army vessel surveying the Black Sea, amid mounting attacks by both sides in the area following Moscow's recent withdrawal from a major grain deal.

The Russian Defence Ministry said on Tuesday morning its naval airforce had destroyed the spy ship last night near Russian gas production installations in the waters south of Ukraine. 

The ministry did not provide further details.

Last week, Russian ships in its Black Sea fleet were targeted by a Ukrainian naval drone, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. 

It said the was drone intercepted by Moscow's military ships without reaching its target.

Attacks on Russian ships have escalated since Moscow refused in mid-July to renew a UN-brokered agreement that authorised Ukrainian grain exports.

Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has appeared in his first video address since his abortive mutiny in Russia. 

The Wagner leader hints he is in Africa in the clip posted on Telegram, though Euronews cannot independently verify this. 

Prigozhin - filmed in combat gear standing in the desert with a rifle in his hands - says his force is making Africa "more free". 

Thousands of his private fighters are believed to be involved in shady business across the African continent. 

Prigozhin accrued his reported massive torture "protecting weak African regimes in exchange for their gold mines",  Mark Beissinger, Professor of Politics at Princeton University told Euronews in April. 

Wagner mercenaries were recently accused by Human Rights Watch of committing grave human rights violations in Mali, including summarily executions and forced disappearance of several dozen civilians.

"We are working. The temperature is +50 - everything as we like. Wagner PMC