Russia on Friday said Ukraine targeted the key port of Novorossiysk with drones. File Photo by Arthur Vanzetti/Wikimedia Commons
Aug. 4 (UPI) — The Kremlin blamed Ukraine on Friday for air and drone attacks on the Russian port of Novorossiysk.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said two drones attacked Novorossiysk, one the country’s largest ports and home of its critical Black Sea Fleet, but said they were “detected and destroyed” by Russian ships, preventing any damage.
Local authorities also said the attack did not result in any injuries or deaths.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium which operates an oil terminal near the Novorossiysk port said there was “a temporary ban on the movement of ships in the CPC water area and the port of Novorossiysk.”
However, footage shared on social media showed a ship — identified as the Russian warship Olenegorsky Gornyak being towed away from the port.
Ukrainian sources told CNN and The New York Times that the attack was carried out as a joint operation between the Security Service of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Navy.
A sea drone with nearly a half-ton of the explosive TNT hit the warship, which had about 100 Russian servicemen aboard, CNN reported.
A Ukrainian Navy spokesperson claimed it had “noting to do” with the attack as Kyiv did not immediately claim public responsibility.
Russia had been attacking Ukrainian grain facilities since pulling out of a deal that allowed grain ships to leave Ukraine safely to deliver food to other points around the world.
Officials on Wednesday blamed Russia for war crimes after it attacked Ukrainian grain ports at Izmail on the River Danube, close to Romania.
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