Fighters from Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) used naval drones to attack Russian sea ports in Novorossiysk and Tuapse on 24 September, Hromadske reported, citing a source in security structures.

The attacks on Novorossiysk killed at least two people and injured six, according to city officials, according to Mayor Andrei Kravchenko. The operation targeted critical oil export infrastructure that processes millions of barrels daily for Russian and partner nations.

“As a result of the attack, the work of Transneft’s oil terminal complex and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal, located near Novorossiysk, was paralyzed,” the source told Hromadske.

The terminals serve as loading points for Russian tankers, including vessels in the so-called “shadow fleet.”

HUR naval drones also struck an oil-loading pier at one of Russia’s largest terminals in Tuapse port. According to the source, these Russian oil transshipment points can collectively export 2 million barrels of crude per day.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which transports Kazakh and Russian oil to global markets through the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline, confirmed damage to its office following the Novorossiysk strikes. Russian ports suspended oil shipments after receiving a warning about the drone attack.

The attacks began around 5 am local time with naval drones striking the port, followed by drone strikes on the city center about three hours later. Novorossiysk has become a key base for the Russian Black Sea Fleet following repeated Ukrainian strikes on occupied Crimea.