


On Wednesday a major daytime drone attack from Ukraine rocked the Russian Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, which reportedly involved both aerial and sea drones.
The city center was hit, and explosions were also witnessed in the water very near the city. The Novorossiysk Hotel, located about 2 kilometers from the port, was also struck along with several buildings and cars. At least 20 cars were on fire, either from a direct hit or falling debris.
It appears that docked vessels of Russia's Black Sea Fleet may have been among intended targets, given that earlier in the war Russia had transferred much of its fleet from Sevastopol in Crimea to Novorossiysk.
BBC reports that "Veniamin Kondratyev, governor of Krasnodar Krai region where the city of Novorossiysk is located, has said on his Telegram channel that at least two people were killed and three were injured in the attacks."
"Kondratyev accused Ukraine of attacking the city and said five residential buildings were damaged in the attacks," the report continues. "There have also been reports of naval drones being seen in Novorossiysk docks. Footage we’ve verified shows a submersible approaching the port before being fired upon and exploding."
Below: Ukrainian Magura V5 sea drone, which Ukraine's military deployed to attack Novorossiysk, is destroyed by the Russian Navy.
Earlier in September Ukrainian intelligence claimed to have struck a naval vessel in Novorossiysk utilizing a domestically produced drone.
Residential buildings were seen on fire as a result of Wednesday's drone attack.
Regional governor Kondratyev additionally announced that "All services have been placed on high alert, and the attack is still being repelled."
State sources are additionally saying that Russian defenses had destroyed at least five Ukrainian maritime drones near the coastline during the attack, which was likely intended to have a much bigger effect, especially on docked warships.
RT writes that "The drone strike also damaged the office of Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which is jointly owned by several stakeholders from Russia, Kazakhstan, and overseas energy companies, such as US oil giants Chevron and ExxonMobil, the company’s representatives said, adding that two people have been injured."