A Russian naval ship has been damaged in a Ukrainian naval drone attack in the Black Sea, according to Ukrainian sources. The assault occurred near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, a major hub for Russian exports.
Ukraine's security service sources told the BBC that the Olenegorsky Gornyak, a landing ship, was hit by a sea drone carrying 450kg (992lb) of dynamite, suffering a serious breach. Russia's defence ministry claimed it repelled the attack involving two sea drones but did not admit any damage.
Video footage sent to the BBC appears to show the drone approaching the ship before the feed cuts out, presumably on impact. Another video is thought to show the ship listing to one side. The Novorossiysk port temporarily suspended ship movements following the assault, according to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
This is part of a series of Ukrainian attacks using sea drones, with at least 11 such strikes documented by BBC Verify. The attacks target Russian military ships and naval bases, including Sevastopol and Novorossiysk. Friday's incident comes days after Ukraine revealed details of its unmanned naval drones.
Clashes in the Black Sea have intensified since Russia abandoned a UN grain deal. Ukrainian ports have been hit by Russian drones, and Kyiv has responded with naval drone strikes. President Zelensky's adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak said the attack shows it is possible to decrease Russia's maritime influence in the Black Sea.
