Ukraine strikes Russia’s Novorossiysk port, killing three

Ukraine launched a major overnight drone and missile attack on Russia’s Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, killing at least three people, including a child, according to local officials. At least 24 others were injured.

The attack damaged four industrial facilities, more than two dozen residential buildings and several educational institutions, officials said. Novorossiysk Mayor Andrei Kravchenko described the city as having endured a “terrible night.” Water supplies were temporarily suspended in the port area and a state of emergency was declared.

Ukraine’s security service, the SBU, said the attack targeted the Novorossiysk naval base and had “strategic significance.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said two frigates, a large landing ship and a corvette were among the Russian vessels hit. Air-defence positions, piers and port infrastructure were also damaged, he said.

Novorossiysk is one of Russia’s key Black Sea ports and an important hub for grain exports. Russia is the world’s largest wheat exporter, with much of its grain shipped through Black Sea ports. Disruption to the port could therefore affect global grain supplies and prices.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had destroyed or intercepted 502 Ukrainian drones overnight. Drone attacks also damaged several homes in Russian-occupied Crimea, according to local officials.

Meanwhile, Russian attacks were reported across several parts of Ukraine. Two people were killed and at least two others injured in a Russian Shahed drone attack in the Kherson region. In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian strike reportedly set a shopping centre on fire and left about 1,200 consumers without electricity.

A separate Russian attack damaged infrastructure in Odesa, Ukraine’s largest seaport. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it had targeted a fuel depot at the port that was allegedly being used to supply the Ukrainian military.

The latest attacks come amid an intensifying campaign by both sides against critical infrastructure. Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian oil, port and supply facilities, while Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukrainian food, agricultural and storage facilities.

Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Kyiv had handed US negotiators a plan aimed at ending the war. The Financial Times also reported, citing Ukrainian officials, that Kyiv had agreed to halt drone attacks on oil tankers using Novorossiysk port following a request from US Vice President JD Vance

SKS