In brief
Overnight Ukrainian drones and missiles hit the Russian port of Novorossiysk, damaging two critical grain export terminals and damaging vessels at the only remaining Black Sea naval base. Three people, including an eight‑year‑old child, lost their lives while 24 others were injured. Russian officials reported that four warships, including two frigates, sustained damage. Moscow has not publicly commented on the strike but is likely to respond. The attack worsens an already fragile grain supply chain that relies heavily on this port.
A large number of Ukrainian drones and missiles struck the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk overnight, damaging two of Russia’s biggest grain export terminals and hitting the last major naval base on the sea. Three people, including an eight‑year‑old child, were killed and 24 others were injured in the attack, local officials said.
The Ukrainian president stated that Kyiv launched rockets, jets and naval drones as part of a “unique operation” aimed at the Russian base, though he did not mention the grain terminals. Ukrainian military sources reported that four Russian warships, including two frigates, were hit.
This marks a return to fierce port and shipping clashes between Kiev and Moscow following a calm period over the summer. The Russian grain sector, which was the world’s largest wheat producer, faces a serious risk of falling shipments, with analysts predicting that August exports could decline by more than half compared with previous years.
The Russian agriculture ministry said it was working to redirect cargo flows to Baltic, Caspian, and land routes to compensate for the damaged facilities, citing logistical constraints. However, no explicit reference was made to the recent attacks.
Explosions were reported repeatedly over Novorossiysk, as air defenses repelled many incoming objects. The city declared an emergency after the barrage, damaging pipelines and halting the water supply. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said that a man was killed by debris and that surrounding Krasnodar region sites sustained wide damage from hundreds of drones.
Moscow’s overnight strikes have already killed at least eleven civilians in Ukraine between Tuesday and Wednesday, with most casualties in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia from ballistic missiles and glide bombs.
