Ukrainian forces carried out what President Volodymyr Zelensky called a “unique operation” against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet base in Novorossiysk overnight on August 12, using a combination of jet-powered Palianytsia drones, Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles, and naval drones in a strike more than 300 kilometers from the front line.
The attack targeted Russia’s major Black Sea port in Krasnodar Krai, where the fleet has relocated much of its remaining assets following repeated Ukrainian strikes on warships and naval infrastructure in occupied Crimea. Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said Krasnodar Krai came under a massive attack involving “several hundred drones,” with strikes reported in Novorossiysk, Anapa, Gelendzhik, and the Temryuksky district.
An eight-year-old boy was killed in the attack on Novorossiysk, while eight people including a child were injured. Falling drone debris damaged 21 residential buildings and four businesses. Fires were reported at the Sheskharis oil terminal, a grain terminal, and port infrastructure serving the Black Sea Fleet, according to monitoring channels and Reuters confirmed the grain terminal temporarily suspended operations.
Zelensky said Ukrainian forces struck Russian air-defense positions, piers, and port infrastructure during the operation. “The occupation fleet and all the infrastructure supporting it will not be safe as long as Russian aggression continues,” Zelensky wrote on X.
Simultaneous explosions were reported across occupied Crimea, including near the Balaklava Thermal Power Plant outside Sevastopol and in Bakhchysarai, where residents described multiple explosions, machine-gun fire, and drones overhead since midnight. A military unit in northern Crimea was reportedly on fire, and a large-scale drone attack was also underway near the Crimean Bridge connecting the peninsula to Krasnodar Krai.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses destroyed 502 Ukrainian drones overnight over multiple regions including Krasnodar Krai, Crimea, and the Black Sea. The attack underscores Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capability, which has increasingly targeted Russian rear logistics and naval assets deep behind front lines.
The Novorossiysk base has become critical to Russia’s naval operations after Ukraine’s sustained campaign degraded the Black Sea Fleet’s presence in Crimea. Earlier in August, Ukrainian forces struck two oil refineries deep in Russian territory and targeted logistics hubs supporting Moscow’s military operations.
Sources:
Kyiv Independent – Explosions rock Novorossiysk
Reuters – Novorossiysk grain terminal halts
Ukrinform – Latest news
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