A Ukrainian drone attack early Friday struck the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, damaging a docked vessel, several apartment buildings, and an oil depot, Russian officials said. Three members of the ship’s crew were injured in the strike.
The attack immediately pushed global oil prices up by about 2%, fuelled by fears of supply disruptions from one of Russia’s major export hubs.
Novorossiysk—critical for crude and oil product shipments—has repeatedly been targeted this year as Ukraine continues unmanned drone and naval assaults on Russian infrastructure. Multiple ports, major pipelines, and refineries across the country have faced disruptions.
Industry sources told Reuters that the port handled 3.22 million tonnes of crude oil in October (around 761,000 barrels per day). From January to October, crude exports totalled 24.7 million tonnes. Oil product exports were also significant, reaching 1.79 million tonnes in October and 16.78 million tonnes for the year to date.
Krasnodar region governor Veniamin Kondratyev said Novorossiysk suffered the most damage, with more than 170 emergency responders and 50 units of equipment deployed overnight to extinguish fires and assist residents.
Officials reported that the injured crew members are being treated in hospital and that the fire at the Sheskharis oil terminal—a key facility for Russian oil exports—has since been put out.
Drone debris damaged at least four apartments, shattering windows but causing no additional injuries. Coastal facilities were also hit, though officials did not provide details.
Reuters was unable to independently verify the reported damage, and Ukraine has not commented on the attack.
