It may not sound like much but Russia's grain terminal in Novorossiysk is one of the best defended areas in Russia. Partly that's because the city is also home to Russia's Black Sea fleet and partly because Russia is the world's top exporter of grain and this is a major port where those exports happen.
A "massive" Ukrainian drone and missile strike on Russia's port of Novorossiysk has damaged two major grain export terminals and hit the last big Russian naval base on the Black Sea, reports say...
Most of Russia's Black Sea fleet is docked in Novorossiysk - one of the largest ports in Russia - after it was forced to vacate its former home base of Sevastopol, in the Russia-occupied Crimean peninsula, which was too exposed to Ukrainian attacks.
A major grain trading company confirmed to Russia's TASS news agency that its terminal had been hit, while another told Reuters and Russian outlet RBK the same.
The Russian agriculture ministry announced on Wednesday that it was working to redirect cargo flows to ports in the Baltic and Caspian Seas as well as land routes. It did not make any reference to Ukraine's attacks but said it was "taking into account current logistical constraints".
There's video of Russia's air defense struggling to take out all of the drones last night.
Intense Russian air defense fire with tracer rounds during an overnight massive air attack on the port of Novorossiysk. https://t.co/h9TcmOVMp1 pic.twitter.com/WnhBIYXtIw
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2026
Nevertheless, the port was hit and could be seen smoking in the early morning.
The moment of one of the strikes on the Russian port of Novorossiysk. https://t.co/AYb6r3PVWL pic.twitter.com/Iaf3VIwDCF
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2026
The port of Novorossiysk this morning after last night’s massive air attack. https://t.co/f3u3Qcr3zG pic.twitter.com/gwKouhCx9m
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2026
Here's a closer view:
A burning terminal at the Russian port of Novorossiysk following the massive overnight attacks. pic.twitter.com/1jZWcKbe6E
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) August 12, 2026
In addition to the grain terminals, Ukraine claimed to have damaged four Russian ships.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed that the strikes were part of a joint operation carried out on the night of Wednesday, Aug. 12.
According to preliminary data, damage of varying degrees was caused to two Project 11356 frigates, “Admiral Makarov” and “Admiral Essen”, as well as the Project 21631 small missile ship “Buyan-M” and the Project 22160 patrol ship “Vasily Bykov.”...
The attack ruptured two major water pipelines, forcing authorities to suspend water supplies to the city, according to the mayor. He also reported multiple fires but did not disclose the full extent of the damage.
Images of the four ships:
Ukraine's General Staff says that the overnight drone and missile attack on the Russian naval base at Novorossiysk damaged four Russian warships: the Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, a Buyan-M-class corvette, and the Vasily Bykov. pic.twitter.com/3Vz5JaJH0D
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) August 12, 2026
Damage to those ships is still being assessed. Maybe by tomorrow we'll have a clearer picture. Meanwhile, the city was forced to declare a state of emergency this morning.
A state of emergency has been declared in Novorossiysk after a Ukrainian drone attack
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) August 12, 2026
Due to the rupture of two water mains, the city’s water supply system has been damaged, and water delivery to residents has been restricted.
The Novorossiysk port area is covered in thick… pic.twitter.com/nWpeIfcf5Q
Finally, President Putin is making threats this morning, suggesting he's very worried about Europe deciding to seize his shadow-fleet oil tankers. The pressure is really on.
Speaking on a visit to a Russian warship that was taking part in a naval exercise in the Pacific, Putin described the Western moves to detain vessels linked to Russia as a breach of international maritime law.
“It’s nothing but piracy and robbery,” Putin said. “If this is done, we will be forced to respond in kind.”
He added that the Russian response wouldn’t necessarily come in the waters where the Russian ships were seized, noting that Moscow could retaliate “in any area where we see it as necessary and appropriate,” including in the Pacific.
The Pacific seems to be the only place the Russian fleet is safe from Ukrainian drones.
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