Ukrainian Drone Strike Hits Russian Port, Damages Ship, Homes, and Oil Depot
A Ukrainian drone attack early Friday caused significant damage in the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, a crucial hub for Russian oil exports. According to Russian authorities, the strike damaged a docked ship, nearby apartment buildings, and an oil depot, injuring three crew members.
The attack sparked concerns in global oil markets, sending crude prices up by around 2% amid fears of further supply disruptions. Russia’s oil infrastructure has been repeatedly targeted this year, including ports in the Baltic and Black Sea, pipeline systems, and several refineries.
Industry sources reported that crude oil shipments through Novorossiysk totaled 3.22 million tonnes (around 761,000 barrels per day) in October, with a cumulative 24.716 million tonnes exported in the first ten months of the year. Oil product exports in October reached 1.794 million tonnes, totaling 16.783 million tonnes from January to October.
Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of the Krasnodar region, took to social media to describe the response: “Novorossiysk suffered the most. Overnight, more than 170 people and 50 pieces of equipment managed the aftermath, extinguishing fires and assisting residents quickly.”
The three injured crew members were hospitalized, while fires at the Sheskharis oil depot, which handles crude oil and product exports, were successfully put out. Fragments from the drones struck at least four apartments, shattering windows but causing no injuries. Coastal structures also sustained damage, though officials did not provide further details.
Reuters noted that these reports could not be independently verified, and Ukrainian officials have not commented on the attacks.
This incident highlights the ongoing tension and the fragile state of key energy infrastructure in the region, affecting both local communities and global markets. Residents and port workers continue to navigate the aftermath with resilience, underscoring the human impact behind the headlines.