In a significant escalation of the Black Sea conflict, Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale drone and missile strike on Russia's Novorossiysk port, damaging two major grain export terminals and targeting the last major Russian naval base in the region.
Local officials reported that three people, including an eight-year-old child, were killed, while 24 others sustained injuries during the overnight assault. The attack also caused disruptions to the city's water supply after pipelines were damaged.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation as "unique," involving rockets, jet drones, and naval drones, although he did not specifically mention the grain terminals. Ukrainian military sources later confirmed hits on four Russian warships, including two frigates.
Novorossiysk serves as the primary home for most of Russia's Black Sea fleet after their withdrawal from Sevastopol in Crimea due to vulnerability to Ukrainian attacks. The port is also a critical hub for Russian grain exports.
A major Russian grain trading company acknowledged damage to its terminal, with the Russian agriculture ministry announcing plans to reroute cargo through Baltic and Caspian Sea ports as well as land routes, citing logistical challenges without directly referencing the attacks.
Regional authorities reported continuous explosions throughout the night, with air defenses intercepting aerial threats. The governor of the Krasnodar region noted that several hundred drones struck multiple locations, causing property damage and killing an additional civilian due to drone debris.
In retaliation, Moscow conducted aerial strikes in Ukraine, killing at least 11 civilians, primarily in Zaporizhzhia. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has severely disrupted maritime trade routes, particularly affecting grain exports through the Black Sea.
Ukraine and Russia collectively contribute a substantial portion of global grain supply, especially to regions in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The recent attacks have heightened concerns over global food security, with Russian wheat exports expected to decline sharply this month due to the disrupted shipping lanes.
Russian officials have condemned Ukraine's strikes on agricultural infrastructure, blaming them for rising global food prices, while vowing to continue targeting Ukrainian military facilities in the Black Sea region.
