Ukrainian drones hit Russia’s Novorossiysk port, damaging grain terminals and the naval base

A massive Ukrainian drone and missile attack on the Russian resort‑port of Novorossiysk struck and destroyed parts of two major grain export terminals and hit the last remaining Russian naval base on the Black Sea. Three civilians, including an eight‑year‑old child, were killed and 24 others injured during the overnight raid.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv launched rockets, jets and naval drones in a “unique operation” to strike the Russian base, although he did not mention the grain terminals in his post. Russian military reports later stated that four Russian warships, including two frigates, were hit by the strike.

The attack came at a time when Russia’s Black Sea fleet—largely docked at Novorossiysk after it abandoned Sevastopol—has been increasingly exposed to missile and drone threats. Moscow had no official comment on the incident.

Russia is the world’s largest wheat exporter, and the damage could curtail August grain shipments by more than half. The Russian agriculture ministry said it had begun redirecting cargo flows to other ports in the Baltic and Caspian seas as well as via land routes, citing “current logistical constraints.”

Emergency alerts were issued for the city as the barrage of drones damaged pipelines, suspended the water supply and caused heavy fires. Several buildings in the surrounding region were also struck, damaging homes and infrastructure.

Earlier this week, Russian forces launched strikes that killed at least 11 civilians in Ukraine, primarily in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, using ballistic missiles and glide bombs.

Since the full‑scale invasion launched in 2022, Ukrainian forces have become adept at long‑range strikes on Russian territory, affecting Russia’s grain shipment routes and further straining global food supplies.