KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A major nighttime operation by Ukrainian forces targeted a Russian naval base on the Black Sea coast, utilizing anti-ship missiles and drones, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This operation marks a significant leap in Ukraine's tactical capabilities, thanks to the sophisticated drones developed in response to Moscow's invasion more than four years ago.
Ukrainian air and sea drones have been pivotal in constraining the movements of the Russian navy, which once held dominance in the Black Sea. Zelenskyy characterized the attack on the naval base in Novorossiysk, a critical stronghold for the Russian fleet, as a "unique operation." Reports from Ukrainian officials indicate that the attack successfully targeted air defenses, piers, and other key port infrastructure.
Following strikes on the main Black Sea base at Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula earlier in the conflict, many Russian ships had been moved to Novorossiysk. The Ukrainian military's latest operation involved a massive wave of drone attacks that also extended to cities like Anapa and Gelendzhik, within Russia’s Krasnodar region. These assaults resulted in casualties, with three confirmed dead, including an 8-year-old child, and at least 24 others injured.
The drone strikes also caused significant damage to two of Novorossiysk's three grain terminals, halting operations at one, according to Russian business daily Vedomosti. Russian Defense Ministry sources claimed to have downed over 500 Ukrainian drones, indicating a fierce aerial conflict in the region.
In response to reports of potential new mobilization efforts, President Zelenskyy expressed concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions. Ukrainian intelligence suggests that Putin may plan to mobilize hundreds of thousands more troops by year-end, despite the ongoing strains on Russian forces and unsuccessful battlefield advancements. However, senior Russian officials have dismissed these mobilization rumors, asserting they are merely tactics by Kyiv to incite public concern.
Since a partial mobilization of around 300,000 Russian men four years ago, the Kremlin has increasingly relied on volunteers, enticed by competitive pay. Nonetheless, the previously signed decree for partial mobilization remains in effect and could theoretically be reinstated to meet military needs.
The attacked Novorossiysk port is not only a key naval facility but also a vital oil hub, housing the Grushovaya oil terminal, a significant point for petroleum products in southern Russia. The U.S. State Department had previously expressed discontent over Ukrainian strikes on Novorossiysk, emphasizing the implications for U.S. oil interests in Kazakhstan where the Caspian Pipeline Consortium exports crude oil to the port.
In a related escalation, President Putin threatened retaliation against western nations for what he termed "piracy," following their actions of boarding Russian oil tankers that violate those countries' sanctions. Speaking from a naval exercise in the Pacific, he asserted that any continued seizing of vessels would warrant a firm response from Russia.
In the Crimean Peninsula, Russian air defense forces reported downing 115 Ukrainian drones during nighttime operations over Sevastopol, resulting in damage to residential buildings. Meanwhile, the Russian military launched a sizable drone strike against Ukraine, targeting several locations, including military infrastructure in the Odesa region and a shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia.
These developments showcase the complex and ongoing military dynamics between Ukraine and Russia, highlighting both nations' capacity to inflict damage and sustain operations despite international geopolitical pressures.
