Ukraine Strikes Russian Port, Russia Retaliates in Odesa
On the same day, Ukrainian drones hit Novorossiysk, while Russian forces targeted port infrastructure in the Izmail district. Both sides report damage.
On the same day, Ukrainian drones hit Novorossiysk, while Russian forces targeted port infrastructure in the Izmail district. Both sides report damage.
The Black Sea became the scene of a new round of mutual strikes on Thursday, August 13, 2026. Ukrainian forces launched a drone attack on the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, while Russian forces targeted port infrastructure in the Izmail district of the Odesa region, as reported by Dnevnik.hr and the Ukrainian channel Operatyvny ZSU.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the attack on Novorossiysk struck two frigates, a large landing ship, a corvette, and other vessels. According to a source from Dnevnik.hr, there were fatalities in the attack, and the damage was described as extensive.
The attack was characterized as an "event of strategic significance," though available sources did not specify who made that assessment.
Almost simultaneously, Russian forces attacked port infrastructure in the Izmail district of the Odesa region, announced the Ukrainian channel Operatyvny ZSU on Telegram. The attack caused a fire and damage to the port, according to the post, which cited data from the regional state administration.
According to sources familiar with the situation, three of Russia's largest grain terminals in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk halted operations after being damaged in a massive overnight drone attack. Due to severe damage to terminal infrastructure, grain shipments from Novorossiysk are currently impossible. The attack caused the collapse of a loading gallery at the United GRAIN Novorossiysk grain facility and damaged several silos, while the gallery and truck unloading facility at the Demetra terminal also suffered damage. The KSK terminal was also hit, said informed sources who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information.
Russia and Ukraine have intensified attacks on commercial ships and ports in the Black Sea, raising concerns about supply. The two countries account for more than a quarter of global wheat exports, and the attacks come amid this year's harvest. Chicago wheat futures jumped up to four percent on Wednesday, the biggest daily gain in three weeks.
On Wednesday, Russia said Ukrainian attacks on its grain and agricultural infrastructure are driving up global food prices and worsening grain shortages. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated: "It is obvious that the cynical military campaign of the Kyiv regime to create chaos on the global food market... serves the interests of certain Western countries."
Both attacks occurred on August 13, 2026, indicating a continuation of intense mutual strikes on port and maritime infrastructure. While Ukraine targets Russian warships and logistics capabilities in the Black Sea, Russia responds with strikes on Ukrainian export routes.
Details on the exact number of casualties and the extent of material damage at both locations had not been officially confirmed at the time of publication.
