Ukrainian forces hit key oil terminal in Russia's Novorossiysk port
Ukrainian defenders struck an oil terminal at the seaport of Novorossiysk in Russia's Krasnodar Krai overnight into Friday, a source in the security forces told hromadske. The port ranks as Russia's second-largest oil export center and a vital logistics node for petroleum products via the Black Sea.
The special operation was carried out by SBU security service's Alpha special forces in coordination with the Defense Ministry's Main Intelligence Directorate, Special Operations Forces, State Border Guard Service, Navy coastal missile-artillery troops and other Defense Forces units.
The attack damaged oil-loading berths at the docks, pipeline infrastructure and pumping stations, with a intense fire continuing at the oil terminal.
The port has halted oil exports after being struck by Ukrainian forces, according to Reuters.
Following the attack by Ukrainian troops, Transneft suspended crude oil supplies to the distribution center.
A hit was also confirmed on S-300/400 air defense positions at military unit 1537 in Novorossiysk, followed by detonations.
"The SBU, together with the Security and Defense Forces, continues to reduce oil-dollar revenues to the Russian budget," an informed SBU source said. "Every struck refinery or oil terminal means minus millions of dollars for the Kremlin's war machine. We will keep depriving the aggressor of resources until it loses the ability to wage this war."
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukrainian troops struck Russia that night using long-range Neptune missiles.