Overnight, loud blasts were reported near the major Russian port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. Videos shared on social media showed the port being targeted by explosions, and Russia’s defense ministry stated that two sea drones launched by Ukraine had attempted an attack on its naval base there.
The Russian ships guarding the base were able to detect and destroy the drones in the outer harbor, but damage to the port was not commented upon. However, Ukrainian intelligence sources revealed that the “landing ship” Olenegorsky Gornyak, responsible for carrying equipment and personnel for beach landings, was hit and severely damaged.
The attack on Novorossiysk is not the first instance of Ukraine using sea drones against Russian targets. According to BBC Verify, Ukraine has conducted at least 10 such attacks on military ships and the Russian naval base in Sevastopol, as well as a previous assault on Novorossiysk harbor. The escalation in clashes at sea comes after Russia withdrew from a UN deal that ensured safe grain export between Russia and Ukraine across the Black Sea.
Earlier in the week, Russia also launched attacks on other Black Sea ports, destroying 60,000 tonnes of grain, and claimed to have downed 10 Ukrainian aerial drones over Crimea.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have been surging, and the use of sea drones in these attacks is a concerning development in the ongoing conflict. The situation calls for careful monitoring and international attention to prevent further escalation and violence in the region.
Source: BBC
