MOSCOW: Russia reported on Friday that it had successfully thwarted sea and air drone attacks launched by Ukraine against a naval base in the Black Sea and the Crimean peninsula.
Tensions between the two countries escalated when Moscow recently exited a deal that allowed Ukrainian grain exports through a shipping hub during the ongoing conflict. Since then, the number of attacks in the Black Sea region has escalated from both sides.
The Russian defence ministry stated on Telegram that the Ukrainian Armed Forces attempted an attack on the Novorossiysk naval base of the Russian Armed Forces using two unmanned sea boats. However, Russian ships intercepted and destroyed the naval drones, with Novorossiysk being targeted for the first time in such an attack. The port city is significant as it hosts the terminus of a pipeline that carries most Kazakh oil exports through Russia.
Despite the attacks, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, the operator of the pipeline, has continued to ship oil to moored tankers at the Novorossiysk terminal. However, a temporary ban on ship movements has been imposed in the port area as a precautionary measure.
Russia Downs 13 Ukrainian Drones
In addition to the attack on the naval base, the Russian defence ministry disclosed that it had downed 13 drones over the Crimean peninsula. There were no reported casualties or damage in either incident. Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, has been a target of Ukrainian attacks throughout Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine. In recent weeks, the frequency and intensity of attacks on Crimea have increased, including instances where Ukrainian drone attacks blew up an ammunition depot and damaged a strategic bridge linking Russia’s mainland to the peninsula.
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu visited the combat zone in Ukraine and inspected a command post while meeting with senior military officers. During the visit, he was updated on the frontline situation and expressed gratitude to commanders and soldiers for their successful offensive operations in Lyman, eastern Ukraine.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen fluctuating dynamics, with Ukrainian forces making modest advances in territories like Kherson and Kharkiv during their counteroffensive. However, Russian forces have now established well-entrenched defensive positions, leading to intense fighting in key areas on the eastern and southern fronts.
