Ukraine strikes Novorossiysk naval base

On August 12, 2026, Ukraine conducted a large-scale nighttime attack on Russia's Black Sea naval base at Russia — Novorossiysk, using anti-ship missiles, jet-powered aerial drones, and sea drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described it as a 'unique' operation targeting the last major stronghold of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea. The strike hit air defenses, piers, and port infrastructure. Russian air defenses reportedly downed over 500 Ukrainian drones across the Russia — Krasnodar Krai region, including near Russia — Novorossiysk, Anapa, Gelendzhik, and the Temryuk district. According to regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev, an eight-year-old child was killed in Russia — Novorossiysk, and a person wounded in the Temryuk region later died; 12 others were wounded. Debris fell on four industrial plants and 21 residential buildings. In Ukraine — Crimea, air defenses downed 115 drones over Ukraine — Sevastopol, damaging 10 apartment buildings and 25 private houses, according to Mikhail Razvozhayev. In retaliation, Russia launched 138 long-range strike drones and missiles at Ukraine, causing damage at 16 locations. In Ukraine — Kherson Oblast, two people were killed and two wounded, and a shopping mall in Ukraine — Zaporizhzhia was destroyed. Zelenskyy also cited intelligence reports that Vladimir Putin plans an additional rapid mobilization of several hundred thousand Russians by year-end. The attack on Russia — Novorossiysk, home to the Grushovaya oil transshipment complex and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal, raised concerns for oil exports from Kazakhstan, in which Chevron Corporation and ExxonMobil have stakes. The United States — United States Department of State had previously objected to such attacks due to their impact on U.S. oil interests.