Ukraine has successfully struck a vital oil terminal in Russia’s significant port city of Novorossiysk, causing a substantial fire and damaging crucial infrastructure. This strategic strike occurred simultaneously with intense Russian aerial bombardments on Kyiv. The targeted depot is recognized as one of Russia’s largest oil export facilities, and the attack underscores Ukraine’s escalating strategy to disrupt Moscow’s war financing. Ukrainian officials reported that the operation damaged valuable infrastructure at both the port and the oil terminal, along with a critical S-400 air defense launcher. Long-range Neptune missiles and various strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were reportedly employed in the Novorossiysk assault. President Volodymyr Zelensky previously confirmed the use of domestically produced long-range Neptune cruise missiles on Russian targets, framing the action as a justified response to ongoing Russian aggression. The commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces has highlighted an increase in the effectiveness of Ukrainian-made long-range weaponry, including Neptune and Flamingo missiles, and jet drones. Earlier reports from a Ukrainian security source indicated that the strike targeted Russia’s second-largest oil export center, impacting oil tankers, pipeline systems, and pumping stations, igniting a major fire that continued to burn. The Russian governor of Krasnodar Krai acknowledged the strike, stating that drone fragments caused damage to the oil depot, injuring at least four people and damaging residential buildings. A state of emergency has been declared in Novorossiysk. Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones overnight. Meanwhile, Kyiv faced a severe wave of Russian attacks, resulting in casualties and injuries. Additional casualties were reported in a Russian strike on Chornomorsk.
