A massive drone and missile attack reportedly carried out by Ukraine on Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk has damaged two major grain export terminals, according to foreign media reports.
Three people were killed and 24 others injured in the attack, according to local authorities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the operation targeted a Russian naval base and involved rockets, aerial drones and naval drones.
The Ukrainian military later claimed that four Russian warships, including two frigates, were damaged in the attack. However, Russia has not issued an official response to the claims so far, according to the BBC.
A significant portion of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet is based at Novorossiysk. Due to the threat of Ukrainian attacks, Russia had previously been forced to relocate vessels from its naval base in Sevastopol, Crimea.
A state of emergency has been declared in Novorossiysk following the attack. Water supplies have also been temporarily disrupted after pipeline systems in areas around the port were damaged.
Meanwhile, media reports say two major grain trading companies have confirmed that their terminals were targeted in the attack.
As a result, Russia’s Agriculture Ministry is reportedly taking steps to redirect grain shipments to ports on the Baltic and Caspian seas as well as to land routes.
As Russia is one of the world’s major wheat exporters, the attacks in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov regions have raised concerns over their potential impact on global grain supplies.
