Ukraine Hits Black Sea Fleet Stronghold as Putin Flexes in Pacific

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Wednesday that Moscow could move to seize European vessels in response if European nations start impounding Russian merchant ships, escalating tensions after Ukraine carried out a major overnight strike on a vital Russian Black Sea naval and commercial hub and Russia held large-scale military drills in the Pacific.

The latest developments point to a widening maritime dimension of the war. Ukraine is striking at one of Russia’s most important Black Sea naval and export centers, while Moscow is threatening action against European shipping and showcasing naval strength far to the east. Although the incidents are not directly connected, they highlight how the conflict is pushing beyond the battlefield into strategic ports, grain routes and international waters.

Ukraine pounded the Russian port city of Novorossiysk in a large overnight drone assault that forced two major grain terminals to halt operations, Russian industry sources cited by Reuters said Aug. 12. Novorossiysk is a key Black Sea export hub and has also become a base for Russian warships moved there by Moscow after repeated Ukrainian strikes against its Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Wednesday morning that Kyiv was behind the operation against the Novorossiysk naval base, describing it as “the last major stronghold of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea.” Writing on X, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces used Palianytsia jet-powered drones, Neptune missiles and unmanned naval systems, and claimed strikes on air-defense sites, piers and port facilities.

“The occupation fleet and all the infrastructure supporting it will not be safe as long as Russian aggression continues,” Zelenskyy wrote.

The governor of Russia’s Krasnodar region said the broader wave of attacks killed at least two people, among them an 8-year-old child. Novorossiysk Mayor Andrei Kravchenko said more than two dozen residential buildings, four businesses and educational facilities were damaged, while the city’s water supply was cut off. Reuters reported that Chicago wheat futures climbed about 3% as traders weighed the risk of disruptions to Russian grain exports.

In a separate development Wednesday, thousands of miles away in Russia’s Far East, Putin appeared aboard the missile cruiser Varyag near Sakhalin to observe Pacific Fleet exercises. From there, he delivered a warning to European governments that have increasingly focused on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet.

The European Union has expanded sanctions against hundreds of vessels and detained some ships and their crews for checks, while some European governments are considering tougher maritime enforcement against vessels suspected of sanctions evasion, Reuters reported Wednesday.

Quoting Putin, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X, “Attempts to seize Russian vessels & sell off our property are outright piracy. If such plans are implemented, Russia will respond in kind – wherever we deem necessary, including within the Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility.”

The warning came against the backdrop of sweeping Russian naval exercises. The drills stretched across the Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk and Northwest Pacific and involved more than 13,000 personnel and around 60 ships, submarines and support vessels. Russian Defense Ministry figures reported separately put the number of participating aircraft, helicopters and unmanned systems at around 30.

Video supplied by East2West showed Russian forces firing anti-ship missiles during the drills. Bastion coastal missile systems launched Oniks cruise missiles at simulated enemy ships from Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, while the corvette Smerch fired a Uran anti-ship cruise missile, according to East2West.

Putin also used his Pacific appearance to accuse NATO of expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific and Arctic regions, pointing to new military alliances and planned weapons deployments that he said were increasing the potential for conflict.

The developments unfolded as attacks continued on both sides. Reuters reported that Russia struck the Ukrainian port of Odesa and that a separate Russian attack set fire to a shopping mall in Zaporizhzhia, underscoring the continuing pressure on ports and logistics infrastructure as the war approaches four and a half years.

Separately, Romania said its naval forces destroyed two suspected Russian Gerbera drones over the Black Sea, roughly 90 nautical miles from Constanta, according to East2West.

NATO said its North Atlantic Council met Wednesday to discuss Russian airspace violations in Poland and Romania and recent drone incidents. A NATO spokesperson said allies “condemned Russia for actions, expressed solidarity with allies affected [and] reaffirmed support to Ukraine.”