A pivotal Russian oil terminal in the port city of Novorossiysk was struck by Ukrainian forces overnight, triggering a significant fire and damaging essential infrastructure. This action occurred while Kyiv faced a barrage of deadly Russian strikes. The targeted depot, one of Russia’s foremost oil export centers, represents a significant blow to Moscow’s war economy, highlighting Ukraine’s increasingly sophisticated targeting of Russian revenue sources. Ukraine’s General Staff stated that the strike impacted valuable port and oil terminal infrastructure, as well as an S-400 air defense missile launcher. The operation reportedly utilized long-range Neptune missiles and a variety of strike UAVs. President Zelensky had previously affirmed Ukraine’s deployment of its homegrown long-range Neptune cruise missiles against Russian targets, characterizing it as a necessary retaliatory measure. The commander-in-chief of Ukraine’s Armed Forces has emphasized improving the efficacy of Ukraine’s domestic long-range weapons, including Neptune and Flamingo missiles and jet drones. A Ukrainian security service source indicated that the strike disrupted oil tankers, pipelines, and pumping stations at Russia’s second-largest oil export facility, resulting in a substantial fire. Russian regional authorities confirmed the attack, noting that fragments of intercepted Ukrainian drones hit the oil depot, leading to injuries and damage to civilian buildings, prompting the declaration of a state of emergency. Russia’s defense ministry reported intercepting hundreds of Ukrainian drones. Concurrently, Kyiv endured a severe Russian aerial offensive, causing fatalities and injuries among civilians. Further casualties were reported from a Russian attack in Chornomorsk.
