(KYIV, UKRAINE) – Ukraine has carried out a series of long range strikes against key Russian oil and military facilities, hitting targets in Novorossiysk, Saratov and Voronezh at the same time Russia launched another night of air attacks on Ukrainian cities.
According to Ukrainian sources, a major oil terminal in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk was destroyed overnight. The port has long served as one of Russia’s primary export points for seaborne oil shipments. Before the conflict, the port handled approximately a quarter of all Russian seaborne crude. The halting of operations at the damaged terminal poses a significant challenge for an industry already under strain from international sanctions.
Ukraine reported that the explosions at Novorossiysk were part of coordinated attacks on military and logistical infrastructure. Imagery shared on social media suggested multiple impacts across the port area. Ukrainian authorities said the strike targeted legitimate military and dual use infrastructure.
The importance of the port to Russia’s export economy is considerable. Prior to the full scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia exported around 80 to 90 percent of its oil through various ports, with Novorossiysk alone accounting for about 25 percent of the seaborne share. The strike therefore has potential implications for export revenues and transportation capacity at a time when Moscow is already facing reduced access to global markets.
A simple illustration of Russia’s pre conflict seaborne oil share is shown below:
| Russian Oil Exports (Pre Conflict) | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Exported via Novorossiysk | 25% |
| Other seaborne routes | 55% |
| Pipeline and inland routes | 20% |
In addition to the port strike, Ukrainian drones reportedly hit the Saratov oil refinery, which lies close to the front lines and supplies fuel to Russian military units. Damage to this facility may further disrupt Russia’s logistics and ability to sustain operations near the front.
Another Ukrainian strike targeted an engine testing site for Russian missiles in Voronezh, according to local reports. Videos shared online showed large explosions at the facility. Ukrainian officials said the site was used to test engines for missile systems deployed against Ukrainian cities.
Ukrainian forces also claimed to have destroyed a stockpile of Kalibr cruise missiles inside Russia overnight. These missiles are frequently used in Russian attacks on residential areas in Ukraine.
The strikes came during another night of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian towns and cities. In Kyiv, residents were left without electricity for several hours as air raid sirens sounded repeatedly. Local accounts described difficulties reaching shelters in time, as ballistic missiles often allow only minutes of warning.
One family in Kyiv was killed when a Russian drone struck their apartment building just days after they had returned from staying in a nearby village for safety. Ukrainian authorities estimate that each large scale Russian attack costs Moscow hundreds of millions of US Dollars in missiles yet often targets civilian buildings rather than military infrastructure.
Ukraine continues to insist that its long range operations are aimed only at military or military linked infrastructure. Kyiv argues these strikes are essential to degrade the fuel, storage and missile systems that enable Russian attacks on Ukrainian residential areas.