‘Everyone Leave the Water!’ – Ukraine’s Sea Drones Hit Russian Hubs in Novorossiysk, Tuapse

Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) has used naval drones to strike Russian oil terminals on the Black Sea coast, disrupting operations in the ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse, according to Kyiv Post’s HUR sources.

The Sept. 24 attack targeted key logistics hubs, including the Transneft oil loading complex and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near Novorossiysk, where tankers – including vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet – were being loaded with crude.

The facilities have the combined capacity to export up to 2 million barrels of oil per day.

The sources said the operation also damaged an oil-loading pier at one of Russia’s largest terminals in Tuapse, further hindering Moscow’s ability to ship crude abroad.

Ukrainian intelligence claimed that Russia’s chaotic air defenses in response caused damage in civilian areas, destroying several vehicles and triggering panic in Novorossiysk, Tuapse, and even Sochi, where authorities briefly evacuated beaches

In Sochi, roughly 120 kilometers (75 miles) farther south, tourists were evacuated from beaches amid warnings of USV attacks, with officials urging, “Everyone leave the water! Evacuate immediately.”

Kyiv Post’s HUR source said the strikes targeted the “shadow oil exports by the aggressor state of Russia” on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

On Wednesday, Krasnodar Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said at least two people were killed and three others injured in strikes on the city center. Local media outlet Shot reported eight casualties, while emergency officials said six people were hospitalized, including one child. Three were reportedly in serious condition.

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Ukraine Says Strikes on Russia’s Shadow Fleet Are Legal

Kyiv told the International Maritime Organization that tankers transporting Russian oil and gas directly finance Moscow’s war effort and may therefore constitute legitimate military targets.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium said its local office was damaged and two people were injured, though neither was a company employee.

The strike came two weeks after Ukraine’s military intelligence said its forces disabled a $60 million Black Sea Fleet rescue ship near Novorossiysk.

The vessel, believed to be the Spasatel Demidov, was reportedly hit with drones that destroyed its electronic reconnaissance equipment.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure in occupied Crimea and on the Black Sea coast, saying the facilities fuel Moscow’s war effort. Kyiv has also vowed to disrupt what it calls Russia’s shadow oil exports, which help Moscow circumvent international sanctions.