Ukrainian Drone and Missile Attack Damages Major Grain Terminals in Russia's Novorossiysk Port
A Ukrainian strike on the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk damaged two grain export terminals, killed three people and injured 24, prompting Russia to reroute grain shipments to other ports.
A Ukrainian drone and missile assault on the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk damaged two major grain export terminals and struck the city’s main naval base. Local officials reported three fatalities, including an eight-year-old child, and 24 injuries.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Kyiv launched rockets, jet and naval drones in a "unique operation" against the Russian base, adding that the occupying fleet and its supporting infrastructure would remain unsafe while Russian aggression continues.
"The occupying fleet and all the infrastructure that supports it will not be safe as long as Russian aggression continues," Zelensky posted on social media.
Ukraine’s military later claimed that four Russian warships, including two frigates, were hit in the attack. Russia has not provided a comment.
A major grain trading company confirmed to Russian news agency TASS that its terminal was hit, and another firm gave the same information to Reuters and Russian outlet RBK.
The Russian agriculture ministry said it was redirecting grain cargoes to ports on the Baltic and Caspian seas and to land routes, citing current logistical constraints.
Novorossiysk declared an emergency after drones damaged pipelines and cut the city’s water supply. Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported a man killed by drone debris and dozens of buildings, including homes, damaged across the Krasnodar region.
The attack follows a series of reciprocal strikes on Black Sea ports by both sides, which have reduced grain exports from both Russia and Ukraine. Analysts estimate that Russia’s August grain exports could fall by more than half compared with the same month over the past five years.
Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of targeting Russian grain infrastructure, saying the strikes raise global food prices and exacerbate shortages, while pledging continued attacks on facilities used by Ukrainian forces in the Black and Azov seas.