The recent attack on Novorossiysk, a strategic port city in Russia, has drawn attention, although the Russian Ministry of Defense has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. Russian military bloggers have downplayed the attack, claiming that the drone strike caused minimal damage by hitting a nearby pier. However, they have noted that such incidents serve as a significant reminder of the ongoing conflict.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), if the damage is as severe as reported, it could have substantial financial implications for the Russian military. The SBU estimates that a Varshavyanka-class submarine costs around $400 million, with current sanctions potentially raising construction costs to $500 million for similar vessels. As of now, there are no reports of casualties resulting from the attack.
This incident is part of a broader pattern in Ukraine's deep-strike campaign targeting military and energy installations within Russia. The SBU reported that earlier today, Ukrainian forces struck Russian oil rigs in the Caspian Sea, marking the third such attack in recent days. This follows previous strikes on Russian oil refineries and cargo ships.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the ongoing nature of the conflict during a statement at the German-Ukrainian economic forum, noting that Russian strikes persist daily. He emphasized that the brutality of these attacks serves as leverage in diplomatic negotiations, asserting that Ukraine's capacity to recover, produce weapons, and defend against Russian assaults is crucial in these discussions. Zelenskyy urged continued support from international partners to bolster Ukraine’s resistance against the ongoing Russian invasion.