In a significant escalation of tensions in the Black Sea, a Russian naval ship, the Olenegorsky Gornyak, has reportedly been damaged in a Ukrainian naval drone attack. The assault took place near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, a crucial hub for Russian exports. While Russia's defence ministry acknowledged repelling a Ukrainian attack involving two sea drones, it has not admitted to any damage.
However, Ukrainian security service sources have confirmed to the BBC that the Olenegorsky Gornyak was indeed hit and suffered a serious breach. They revealed that a sea drone, carrying 450kg (992lb) of dynamite, struck the ship. The incident was captured in a video sent to the BBC by a source within Ukraine's security service, which appears to show the drone approaching the ship before the feed cuts out, presumably upon impact.
The Olenegorsky Gornyak is a landing ship, designed for launching amphibious forces close to shore for beach landings and for docking and quickly unloading cargo at ports. Any damage to this vessel could potentially disrupt Russia's efforts to resupply forces fighting in occupied southern Ukraine. However, it is unlikely to significantly impact the Russian fleet.
Following the assault, the Novorossiysk port temporarily suspended any movement of ships, according to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which loads oil onto tankers at the port. The port is a significant hub, exporting around 1.8 million barrels of oil daily, accounting for approximately 2% of the global supply.
This attack marks at least the 11th time Ukraine has used sea drones to target military ships and Russia's naval bases, according to research by BBC Verify. The sources also revealed that Ukraine had used sea drones in an attack on the Kerch Bridge in Crimea in July.
The use of these unmanned naval drones represents a new stage in naval warfare, where small, unmanned boats can inflict damage on large ships with powerful weaponry. This is not the first time Ukraine has targeted the Novorossiysk port, given its strategic importance for both oil exports and as a naval base for Moscow.
The attack comes just days after Ukraine revealed the external appearance and some details of their "new" weapon - unmanned naval drones. In fact, Ukraine has been using these drones to attack Russian ships since last year. The escalation of sea clashes comes after Russia abandoned a UN deal that enabled safe grain export between Russia and Ukraine across the water. Ukrainian ports have been targeted by Russian drones, and Kyiv seems keen to respond.
The attack also coincides with increased hostilities in the region, with Russia attacking the large Black Sea ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk earlier this week, destroying 60,000 tonnes of grain. On Friday, Russia also claimed to have downed 10 Ukrainian aerial drones over Crimea. Despite the escalating tensions, Ukrainian President Zelensky has suggested a peace summit could happen "as early as the autumn".
