Ukrainian strike on Novorossiysk damages key Russian grain terminals and warships
A large-scale Ukrainian drone and missile attack on Russia's Novorossiysk port damaged two major grain export terminals and struck several navy vessels, killing three people and injuring 24.
An overnight Ukrainian drone and missile strike on Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk has damaged two of the country's major grain export terminals and hit what remains of Russia's main naval base in the region, local officials say. Three people, including an eight-year-old child, were killed and 24 others injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv carried out a "unique operation" using rockets, jets and naval drones to strike the Russian base, though he did not mention the grain terminals. Ukraine's military later said four Russian warships, including two frigates, had been hit. Russia's military has not publicly responded.
Most of Russia's Black Sea fleet is now based in Novorossiysk after being forced out of Sevastopol in occupied Crimea, which had become too vulnerable to Ukrainian strikes. Two major grain trading companies confirmed to Russian media that their terminals were damaged. Russia's agriculture ministry said Wednesday it was redirecting cargo to Baltic and Caspian Sea ports as well as land routes, citing "logistical constraints" without referencing the attack.
An emergency was declared in Novorossiysk after the strikes damaged pipelines and cut water supply to the city. In the surrounding Krasnodar region, officials reported several hundred drones striking multiple locations, damaging dozens of buildings and killing one man from drone debris.
Meanwhile, Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight killed at least 11 civilians, most in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, hit by ballistic missiles and glide bombs. This summer has seen renewed strikes on ports and shipping by both sides, with Ukrainian exports down 23% in July according to industry group UCAB. Russia, the world's top wheat exporter, could see August exports fall by more than half compared with recent years' averages, according to a Moscow-based analytics firm.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of targeting grain infrastructure and driving up global food prices, while vowing Russia would continue striking facilities it says Ukraine's military uses to destabilise Black Sea navigation.
