Russian warships retaliated against an attack by Ukrainian sea drones on a Russian navy facility close to the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, a significant gateway for Russian exports.
Ukraine attacks Russian navy base: The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which runs an oil terminal in Novorossiysk, said that the strike forced the port to momentarily stop all ship movements.
On Friday morning, Russian social media users claimed to have heard gunfire and explosions close to Novorossiysk. If true, it would mark the first time the Ukrainians have attacked a major port serving Russian commerce.
The Novorossiysk port has temporarily stopped allowing any ship movement, according to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which transfers oil onto tankers there. “The company said that it had not harmed any of its facilities and that it was still loading oil onto moored tankers.”
A local online community posted videos depicting the movement of ships just off the coast and the sound of gunfire coming from the direction of the sea. The Russian online news site Astra shared these videos.
According to the Russian RIA news agency, Novorossiysk’s emergency services have confirmed reports of explosions and have contacted security forces. One of the largest in the Black Sea is the port.
Additionally, The primary exporter of Kazakh crude oil is the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
Since Russia declined last month to prolong a pact allowing for the safe transport of grain from Ukrainian ports, tensions in the Black Sea and other ports have risen. Further, Russian drones and missiles have attacked multiple Ukrainian port facilities and grain silos on or near the Black Sea.
Additionally, Russia has stated that Ukrainian maritime drones attacked its warships that were escorting a ship carrying civilians.
However, According to the Russian defence ministry, Russian air defences downed 10 Ukrainian drones over Crimea on Friday morning and silenced three more with electronic countermeasures.