(NOVOROSSIYSK, KRASNODAR KRAI, RUSSIA) – Ukraine has inflicted unprecedented damage on Russia’s Black Sea export infrastructure, destroying all three major grain terminals at the port of Novorossiysk and crippling the country’s agricultural export capacity.
The overnight attack, reported on 13 August, lasted approximately 12 hours and targeted grain terminals, oil infrastructure and vessels of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Russian sources have confirmed that missile launching capabilities on two frigates, the Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov, were damaged. Ukrainian officials report that four ships were hit in total.
Satellite imagery has confirmed extensive damage to the port facilities. All three grain terminals at Novorossiysk have now suspended operations, effectively halting 90 percent of Russia’s grain export capacity. Russian agricultural producers report that unloading has stopped across the region, including at Rostov, with exporters refusing to accept grain. Farmers are now attempting to sell at significant discounts but have no means of transporting produce.
The Black Sea Fleet is reportedly trapped in port, unable to leave due to Ukraine’s drone blockade. This follows weeks of Ukrainian operations that have closed the Sea of Azov to Russian shipping entirely. According to Russian military bloggers, over 200 Russian ships have been damaged since operations began in July.
The strikes have also intensified Russia’s growing fuel crisis. The Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat refinery complex in Bashkortostan was hit again, only weeks after being repaired from a previous attack. A Wildberries logistics facility in Ufa, over 1,300 kilometres from Ukraine, was also struck. Motorists across Russia face fuel shortages, with long queues reported in multiple regions including Sochi, Smolensk and Arkhangelsk.
Russia’s economic indicators continue to deteriorate. Oil production fell for an eleventh consecutive month in July. Steel production has fallen to levels not seen since 2004 and is approaching 1990s figures. The federal budget deficit is widening sharply, with the government reportedly paying 1.2 trillion rubles, approximately 12.3 billion US dollars or 9.7 billion pounds sterling, to oil companies for lost refining capacity.
On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces have liberated 19 settlements in the Donetsk region and pushed Russian troops back near another six locations.
Meanwhile, the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has been filmed sampling caviar at a fish factory on Iturup Island during a visit to the Kuril Islands, a trip that has drawn protest from Japan. The visit comes as Russian bloggers themselves complain that the dictator is being kept inside an information bubble, with reports that petrol prices were changed ahead of his visit to Krasnodar.
In occupied Crimea, electricity outages continue, with Sevastopol reportedly without power. Russian residents continue to leave the peninsula, citing deteriorating conditions.
Poland has indicated it may transfer Patriot missiles to Ukraine, with the Polish defence minister reportedly inclined to approve the transfer. This follows a recent incident in which a Russian Kh-101 missile flew almost 100 kilometres into Polish airspace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly appealed to the United States, stating that if American partners sell Ukraine five percent of their Patriot missile stocks, the country could survive the winter. He added that ten percent would allow Ukraine to destroy all Russian ballistic missiles.
The footage and information were compiled from multiple sources including the Security Service of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Armed Forces and satellite imagery analysis.
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