Nighttime strike on Novorossiysk damages Russian Black Sea base, oil terminal, and grain facility

Overnight Assault on Novorossiysk

According to ХВИЛЯ: Novorossiysk, a critical hub for Russia's maritime exports, came under a coordinated nighttime attack on 12 August 2023. The strike simultaneously hit the naval base of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, the Sheskharis oil-export terminal, and the NKHP grain terminal. Monitoring projects Exilenova+ and KiberBoroshno describe the operation as one of the most successful attacks by Ukraine's Defense Forces on one of Russia's most heavily guarded cities.

Impacts and Damage

At the Black Sea Fleet base, at least seven vessels are thought to have been damaged. Two Project 11356R frigates, Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, were hit near their Kalibr missile launch systems; each frigate has eight launch cells. Other likely targets included a Project 266M minesweeper, the research ship Viktor Cherokov, a Project 22160 patrol vessel, an unidentified dry-cargo ship, and the intelligence vessel Priazovye, which appears to have been struck in the stern. Several elements of the 4th submarine brigade's ground infrastructure were also hit.

The Sheskharis oil terminal saw attacks on its main berths, including berth No. 1, which serves large Aframax and Suezmax tankers. An Aframax tanker that was undergoing loading at the time was probably affected. Visual evidence from the terminal shows signs of burning, fire-fighting foam, and oil slicks in the water.

The NKHP grain terminal also took damage, particularly to its grain storage and transport infrastructure, including elevators. NKHP is one of Novorossiysk's three main grain terminals and handles roughly 12% of Russia's grain exports. Together, NKHP, NZT, and KSK account for about 40% of Russian grain exports, and the Azov-Black Sea basin carries around 80% of those shipments.

This attack underscores how vulnerable critical infrastructure in this strategically vital port city has become, and it may have wider consequences for Russian trade and military posture.

The fallout could be significant for Russia's economy, since Novorossiysk is a key export point for Russian goods, especially oil and grain. Damage to the terminals could slow export shipments and affect international markets. Meanwhile, the reported warship damage could reduce the Black Sea Fleet's readiness and create new opportunities for further military action in the region.

The recent nighttime strike on Novorossiysk not only highlights the vulnerabilities of Russian military assets but also raises questions about the ongoing conflict's dynamics. For a deeper understanding of the implications of this attack on Russia's naval capabilities, you can read more about the Ukrainian offensive on the naval base and its potential consequences for regional security.