Unique strike: Ukraine hits Russian naval base in Novorossiysk with Neptune missiles and drones
Photo: Zelenskyy confirms a unique strike on Russia's naval base in Novorossiysk (RBC-Ukraine collage)
Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck Russia’s naval base in Novorossiysk — the Russian Navy’s last major stronghold in the Black Sea, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Bloomberg.
What Zelenskyy said about the operation
“Last night, Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out a unique operation targeting the naval base in Novorossiysk – the last major stronghold of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, more than 300 kilometers from the front line,” the president wrote.
According to him, Palianytsia jet drones, Neptune missiles and unmanned maritime systems were used against designated targets. Hits were confirmed on air defense positions, berths and port infrastructure.
The head of state thanked Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel, the Security Service of Ukraine and intelligence officers for the accuracy and results of the operation.
“The occupation fleet and all the infrastructure supporting it will not be safe as long as Russian aggression continues. The war must be stopped, and all reasonable proposals for diplomacy are on the table,” Zelenskyy added.
Last night, Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out a unique operation targeting the naval base in Novorossiysk – the last major stronghold of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, more than 300 kilometers from the front line.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 12, 2026
Our Palianytsia jet-powered drones, Neptune missiles, and… pic.twitter.com/kVg9DDBasN
Up to one-third of the country’s total exports pass through Novorossiysk.
What NASA satellite data showed
A fire at the port was detected by NASA’s satellite system, which tracks fires and assesses their environmental impact. The images showed thermal anomalies at several locations across Novorossiysk.
Heat sources were detected near a grain terminal and the naval base, which are located close to Transneft’s Sheskharis oil terminal. No visible fires were detected directly at the oil facility in the images, likely because of the limited geolocation accuracy of the satellite data.
According to local authorities, Novorossiysk and the entire Krasnodar Krai region also came under attack by several hundred Ukrainian drones overnight.
It should be recalled that back in April, a fire broke out at a Transneft facility in the port of Novorossiysk following a nighttime drone attack. At the time, infrastructure used to service the largest oil tankers was damaged.
Meanwhile, during the summer, nighttime vessel traffic was unofficially banned at the port in an attempt by Russia to protect ships from attacks, although authorities officially denied the issue.
In early August, Ukraine, with US mediation, agreed not to strike non-Russian tankers and facilities belonging to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium near Novorossiysk.
The agreement followed a series of attacks on vessels that put Kazakhstan’s oil exports at risk.
