Russia's team contained both gold medal winners from the sprint distance finals earlier in the week, Mariia Makarova and Nikita Smirnov, but could not match their rivals.

The pair, featuring on the first two legs, were unable to gain the lead after an impressive opening two performances from Ukrainian duo Iana Melnyk and Oleksandr Selkin in Republic Square.

At one stage, the lead was almost up to three minutes before it gradually began to close.

Viktor Dinges of Russia narrowed the gap to Dmytro Plakhotnik of leg three before Antonina Naidionova reduced it further against Hanna Fedosieieva.

Ultimately, however, Ukraine hung on to take the first non-Russian gold of the week in the sport.

Russia showed their endurance prowess in the men's cycling road race.

Dmitry Andreevich Rozanov added a second title to the time trial gold he claimed earlier in the week after breaking clear to triumph in 2 hours 33min 38sec.

Team-mate Ivan Vladimirovich Makarov came second, 17 seconds behind over the 100 kilometres distance, and Adrian Babic of Slovakia crossed a further five seconds back in third.

Xu Xiaowen of China claimed the corresponding 70km women's crown after sprinting clear from Venezuela's Ludy Correa Nava.

Both crossed in 2:20:53 as Aleksandra Evdokimova ensured a Russian podium presence in third, four seconds back.

More than 3,000 athletes from 97 countries are taking part at the premier event for deaf athletes in the Black Sea city.

They are competing in 20 sports - athletics, badminton, basketball, beach volleyball, bowling, road cycling, football, golf, handball, judo, karate, mountain bike, orienteering, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball and wrestling.