Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Last Major Black Sea Naval Base at Novorossiysk in Massive Missile and Drone Assault

NOVOROSSIYSK, Russia — Ukrainian forces carried out a large overnight attack on the Russian Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, targeting the Russian naval base and port infrastructure with drones, missiles and unmanned naval systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the operation involved Palianytsia jet-powered drones, Neptune missiles and unmanned naval systems. He said the strikes hit designated targets, including air-defense positions, piers and seaport infrastructure. Zelenskyy described Novorossiysk as the Russian Black Sea Fleet's last major stronghold and said the port is located more than 300 kilometers from the front line.

Naval Base Targeted

Novorossiysk has become an important base for Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels after Russia moved some of its warships and submarines there following repeated Ukrainian attacks on naval assets in occupied Crimea.

The August 12 operation therefore targeted both military and commercial infrastructure in one of Russia's most important Black Sea ports. The reported strikes came amid a broader increase in Ukrainian attacks against Russian ports, vessels and energy infrastructure in the Black Sea.

Grain Terminals Damaged

The attack also disrupted grain exports from Novorossiysk.

Russia's Novorossiysk Grain Terminal suspended operations after sustaining damage during the overnight attack, according to an industry source cited by Reuters. Demetra Holding, which owns the terminal, confirmed that the facility had been damaged and said the extent of the damage was being assessed.

The Novorossiysk Grain Terminal has an annual export capacity of 8.5 million metric tons, according to the information provided for the facility. Operations were also suspended at the Novorossiysk Grain Products Combine (NKHP), which has an annual capacity of 7.1 million metric tons. Reuters reported that the two major grain terminals were put out of operation following the attack.

Damage was also reported to a conveyor trestle at the Novorossiysk Grain Terminal. The structure is used to move grain between storage and loading facilities. The available reporting has not established whether the damage was caused directly by a Ukrainian weapon or by Russian air-defense activity.

Novorossiysk is an important outlet for Russian grain exports. Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter, and its Black Sea ports handle a major share of its seaborne agricultural shipments.

Oil Infrastructure Also Affected

Fires were reported around the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk during the overnight attack. The terminal is a major Russian oil-export facility on the Black Sea and serves as an endpoint for oil pipelines operated by Transneft.

Novorossiysk also handles oil transported through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) system. Reuters reported that there was no indication that CPC infrastructure or tankers using the CPC terminal were hit in the overnight attack. Ukraine had reportedly agreed not to target CPC infrastructure and certain non-Russian vessels following a U.S. request, although Reuters said it could not independently verify all details of that reported arrangement.

Civilian Damage and Casualties

Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev described the overnight attack as massive and said several hundred drones were involved.

Russian authorities reported damage to residential buildings and local businesses in Novorossiysk. The city's mayor said the attack damaged more than two dozen residential buildings, four enterprises and some educational facilities. Water supplies in the city were also suspended, and an emergency situation was declared.

Kondratyev reported that at least two people were killed, including an eight-year-old child, while several others were injured in the wider area. Emergency services were deployed to damaged locations to clear debris and respond to the effects of the attack.

Russia Reports Large-Scale Drone Attack

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted more than 500 Ukrainian drones overnight across several Russian regions. That figure has not been independently verified.

The attack on Novorossiysk comes after weeks of increasing Ukrainian operations against Russian maritime and energy infrastructure. Earlier in July, Russia introduced restrictions on nighttime vessel movements at Novorossiysk because of drone attacks, while grain terminals in the region also faced growing security and logistical problems.

The latest strike has added further disruption to a port that serves simultaneously as a major commercial shipping center, grain-export hub, oil-export facility and Russian naval base.

——— End of Article ———