(NOVOROSSIYSK, KRASNODAR KRAI) – Ukraine launched a massive assault involving more than 400 drones on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk, damaging naval infrastructure and forcing two major grain terminals out of operation, according to Reuters.
The attack, which included jet powered drones, targeted the Black Sea port’s military assets and grain export facilities. Satellite imagery from the morning after the strike showed burn marks on the submarine holding pen, indicating a possible near miss on a Russian submarine. Unconfirmed reports suggest Ukrainian forces struck several Russian ships in the port, though no visual confirmation has yet emerged.
Reuters confirmed that two major grain terminals were put out of action by the strikes. Industry sources described significant damage to export infrastructure. Analysts note that Ukraine’s targeting of grain terminals follows more than four years of Russian attacks on grain export facilities in Odesa.
A separate Ukrainian drone strike on a Wildberries mega hub near Voronezh set the newly opened distribution centre ablaze. The facility was the fifth largest Wildberries distribution centre by square footage. Approximately 18 distribution centres have now been struck, with an estimated 100,000 Russians losing their jobs. Wildberries reportedly paid nearly double the wages of comparable warehouse work.
Two additional Russian refineries were hit by drones. The Orsk refinery on the border with Kazakhstan had all operations halted after distillation towers and sensitive equipment caught fire. A second refinery in Komsomolsk, located 6,480 kilometres to the east, also caught fire under unclear circumstances. The facility produces 8.3 million tonnes of refined products annually.
Ukraine’s strikes on Russia’s largest LPG plant in Tiumen have halted all operations at a facility accounting for 40 percent of Russia’s LPG production. Fuel rationing has returned to 16 Russian regions, with long queues reported in Krasnodar Krai, Sochi, Lipetsk and Moscow. Petrol prices remain artificially fixed at 65 roubles (0.72 US dollars or 0.57 British pounds) per litre for 92 octane and 71 roubles (0.79 US dollars or 0.62 British pounds) per litre for 95 octane. Russia has begun importing petrol from India for the first time, alongside existing imports from Kazakhstan, Belarus and Morocco.
In occupied Crimea, residents report living without electricity, running water and reliable internet for extended periods. One resident of Simferopol announced plans to sell her business and leave, while another in Feodosia reported 20 days without power. Analysts note that Russians who moved to Crimea after 2014 may face property loss once Ukraine regains control of the peninsula.
Russia’s strikes on Odesa have halved Ukraine’s grain export forecast. Commercial shipping to the port has largely ceased following Russian attacks on vessels. Russian wheat exports face a decade low in August due to shipping bottlenecks in southern ports.
The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has also moved to ban the Yabloko party, the country’s only anti-war political party, from September’s State Duma elections. The Supreme Court cited alleged copyright violations, including the use of song lyrics, film footage, photographs and AI generated images in campaign materials. Small groups of protesters gathered near the courthouse before police arrived to disperse them.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia’s increased ballistic missile production, deployment of North Korean equipment and preparation for mobilisation demonstrate Moscow is preparing for escalation rather than peace. He called for more sanctions pressure and air defence assistance.
The footage was released by the Jake Broe analysis channel, citing Ukrainian military sources, Reuters and open source intelligence.
Be First to Comment