JAKARTA - Ukrainian drones attacked a Russian naval base near the Black Sea Port of Novorossiysk, Russia's main export hub on Friday, though they were later destroyed by Russian warships, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
The attack prompted the port of Novorossiysk to temporarily halt all ship movements, according to The Caspian Pipeline Consortium which operates an oil terminal there.
Russian social media users reported hearing explosions and gunfire near Novorossiysk on Friday morning, according to Reuters on August 4.
If confirmed, this would be Ukraine's first attack on one of Russia's main commercial ports.
Meanwhile, The Caspian Pipeline Consortium which loads oil on tankers in Novorossiysk said the port had temporarily banned all movement of ships.
They said the facility was undamaged, while oil loading activity was continuing onto the moored tankers.
Videos uploaded on local online communities and distributed by Russian online news outlet Astra show the movement of ships offshore with sounds of gunfire coming from the sea.
The Novorossiysk emergency services have confirmed reports of an explosion, while the security services have been notified, Russia's RIA news agency reported.
It is known, the Black Sea Port of Novorossiysk is one of the largest on the Black Sea. Meanwhile, The Caspian Pipeline Consortium is the main exporter of Kazakhstan's crude oil.
Meanwhile, clashes in the Black Sea and adjacent ports have escalated since Russia refused to extend a deal that allowed the safe export of grain from Ukrainian ports last month.
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Russian drones and missiles have hit several Ukrainian port facilities and grain silos in or near the Black Sea.
Separately, Russia has also reported Ukrainian naval drone attacks on its warships escorting civilian vessels.
Meanwhile, Russian air defenses downed 10 Ukrainian drones over Crimea early on Friday and disabled three other aircraft with electronic deterrents, TASS quoted the Defense Ministry as saying.
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