Early Friday, Ukrainian sea drones targeted a Russian navy base in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, a crucial hub for Russian exports, and were destroyed by Russian warships, as reported by Russia’s defence ministry.
According to the sources, Novorossiysk exports of Russian and Kazakh oil average around 1.8 million barrels daily, accounting for approximately 2% of the global oil supply.
Ukrainian sea drones attacked a Russian navy base near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and were destroyed by Russian warships, Russia's defence ministry said.#Russia #Ukraine #News https://t.co/ib3HM4bfEe
— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) August 4, 2023
Attack on Novorossiysk
According to a Ukrainian intelligence source, the Olenegorsky Gornyak, a Russian Navy landing ship near Novorossiysk on Friday, suffered a serious breach and could not undertake combat missions.
Ukrainian sources confirmed that the strike was carried out in a joint operation of the Ukrainian Navy and the SBU intelligence service.
Novorossiysk is a major Black Sea port in Russia. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which controls an oil terminal near the port, issued a statement Friday morning stating that “a temporary ban on the movement of ships in the CPC water area and the port of Novorossiysk” had been enforced. “There is no damage to the Consortium’s infrastructure,” the statement read.
In a brief statement, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed that the Ukrainian attack was “detected and destroyed” by Russian ships guarding the harbour before it could cause any damage. According to local officials, there were no reported casualties.
Footage widely circulated on Telegram claimed to show a Russian vessel damaged and listing in the sea following the strike, undermining Moscow’s claim that it had repelled the attack.
According to Novorossiysk local official Andrei Kravchenko, the Olenegorsky Gornyak was one of two ships that “instantly reacted” to the Ukrainian attack. However, a source familiar with the port’s operations stated that a major Russian navy vessel had to be towed ashore after being damaged and could not move under its power.
A Russian Northern Fleet ship is sinking after a Ukrainian surface drone strike at night near the port of Novorossiysk in the Black Sea. Identified as Olenegorsky Gornyak landing ship. pic.twitter.com/C9CYgrvVLC
— Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) August 4, 2023
Tensions in the Black Sea
The strike on Friday comes amid escalating tensions in the Black Sea following Russia’s withdrawal from a grain deal critical to the global food supply, the resumption of blockading Ukraine’s ports, and a continuous bombardment of its infrastructure and grain storage facilities.
Following the development of Ukraine’s sea drone programme, the military has increasingly been able to target and observe Russia’s navy in the Black Sea and on the occupied Crimean Peninsula, CNN reported.
Ukrainian defence sources confirmed to CNN that naval drones were used in many major operations, including the July attack on the Kerch Strait Bridge linking Crimea and Russia. The strike destroyed a part of the bridge’s road, a crucial supply route for Russian forces.
According to BBC, in a previous attack, Ukraine used sea drones to target military ships, Russia’s naval facility in Sevastopol, and the Novorossiysk harbour.
Russia attacked ports on the Danube River earlier this week, in addition to the major Black Sea ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk, where officials said 60,000 tonnes of grain were damaged.