Ukraine strikes Russian naval base at Novorossiysk with drones and missiles, killing three

Ukrainian strike on Novorossiysk naval base

Ukraine launched a combined drone and missile attack on the Russian Black Sea naval base at Novorossiysk, a port city more than 300 km from the front line. Most sources place the attack on the night of 12 August; one later source describes it as the night of 12-13 August. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said the operation had strategic significance and that it was systematically reducing Russia's capacity to control the Black Sea and use its naval forces against Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation as unique and said Ukrainian forces used Palianytsia jet-propelled drones, Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles, and maritime drones. He said the strikes hit two frigates, a large landing ship, a corvette, and other vessels, as well as air defense positions, piers, and port infrastructure. Preliminary information from the Ukrainian general staff indicated the damaged vessels included the frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen (both Project 11356, carrying Kalibr missiles), a Buyan-M class missile carrier, and the patrol ship Vasil Bykov. Full damage assessment was still underway.

Casualties and infrastructure damage

Russian officials reported civilian casualties. Krasnodar region governor Veniamin Kondratyev said an 8-year-old boy was killed and eight others wounded, including a minor. The latest source, published 13 August at 03:49, reports three killed and at least 24 wounded. Drone debris damaged 21 residential buildings and four businesses. Novorossiysk mayor Andrei Kravchenko declared a state of emergency, reporting strikes on schools and damage to two water pipelines cutting the port's supply. Approximately 90 people were evacuated to temporary shelters.

Novorossiysk lived through a terrible night.

Two grain terminals were temporarily taken out of service, raising concerns about disruptions to Russian wheat exports. The Sheskharis oil terminal was also reportedly affected. Witnesses described fires in multiple areas of the port.

Drone exchanges across the front

Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defense systems destroyed or intercepted 502 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory and the Black Sea during the night. The attacks extended beyond Novorossiysk: explosions were reported in Crimea near the Balaclava thermal plant and Sevastopol, and a fire at a military unit in northern Crimea. One person was killed in the village of Volna, and four were wounded in Anapa and Gelendzhik.

On the Ukrainian side, authorities reported Russian attacks across southern Ukraine. Two people were killed in Kherson, and in Zaporizhzhia a Russian drone struck a bus, injuring one person according to governor Ivan Fedorov. Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 138 drones and several missiles overnight, of which 112 drones were downed or neutralized through electronic warfare. One source reports at least eight killed in Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Diplomatic and economic fallout

Kyiv suspended drone attacks on oil tankers using the Novorossiysk port following a request from US Vice President JD Vance, according to Ukrainian official sources cited by the Financial Times. Washington expressed concern that the attacks were destabilizing oil markets and harming American companies by targeting tankers transporting Kazakh crude to a terminal in Novorossiysk.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a visit to Sakhalin for military exercises, criticised NATO's growing presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Unfortunately, we see that the conflict potential is growing here, in the Asia-Pacific region. NATO is penetrating this region. New politico-military blocs are being formed.

Putin called the seizure of Russian ships piracy and threatened to respond in the same manner. Western states have intensified efforts to restrict Russia's economy by blocking tankers suspected of transporting sanctioned oil.