Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck more than 300 kilometers past the front line overnight, hitting Russia’s naval base in Novorossiysk, which President Volodymyr Zelensky called “the last main stronghold of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea.” Zelensky confirmed the operation on his official Telegram channel.
The president said the strike combined “Palianytsia” jet drones, “Neptune” missiles, and uncrewed naval systems, with confirmed hits on air defense positions, docks, and port infrastructure. He thanked Ukraine’s military, the Security Service (SBU), and military intelligence for the operation.
The attack was part of a broader overnight wave: explosions and air defense activity were also reported in occupied Crimea, near Sevastopol and the Kerch Bridge, according to The Kyiv Independent. Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed 502 drones downed overnight, a figure that could not be independently verified.
The Novorossiysk naval base sits inside the same port complex as the city’s grain terminal, operated by Demetra Holding, one of Russia’s largest agricultural exporters, which confirmed damage to the facility, according to Al Jazeera. Mayor Andrei Kravchenko said the city “endured a horrific night,” with debris damaging residential buildings; regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported eight injured, and a child was reported killed, per the same report.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s proposals for ending the war have been passed to the American side, adding that “the occupying fleet and all infrastructure supporting it will not be safe” while Russian aggression continues.
