Emergency Declared in Novorossiysk After Ukrainian Strike on Russian Naval Base

Russian authorities declared a state of emergency in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk on Wednesday following a large-scale Ukrainian attack that damaged infrastructure, disrupted the water supply, and sparked multiple fires. Novorossiysk Mayor Andrei Kravchenko announced the measure after authorities lifted a drone alert that had remained in effect overnight.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “A state of emergency has been declared in Novorossiysk,” Kravchenko wrote on Telegram. “After the threat of a drone attack was lifted, I went to the damaged sites to assess the situation and speak with residents.” An emergency command center was established to coordinate response operations, while crews searched affected areas for drone debris and began clearing damaged sites, Kravchenko said. The attack ruptured two major water pipelines, forcing authorities to suspend water supplies to the city, according to the mayor. He also reported multiple fires but did not disclose the full extent of the damage. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the country’s defense forces had conducted what he called a “unique operation” against Russia’s naval base in Novorossiysk, more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the front line. Ukraine used Palyanytsia jet-powered drones, Neptune missiles and unmanned maritime systems in the operation, Zelensky said. He reported confirmed strikes on air defense positions, naval piers, and port infrastructure. Other Topics of Interest Russian Man Taken From Street, Pressured to Sign Army Contract, Relatives Say A 31-year-old man was reportedly detained while drinking beer in Omsk, taken to a military recruitment center and pressured into signing a Defense Ministry contract. The claims about the targets and damage could not immediately be independently verified. Novorossiysk has become the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s last major stronghold in the region after repeated Ukrainian attacks forced Moscow to relocate many of its vessels from occupied Crimea. “The occupying fleet and all the infrastructure that supports it will not be safe as long as Russian aggression continues,” Zelensky said. The overnight attack also disrupted commercial operations at the port. Two major grain terminals suspended work while operators assessed damage. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.