Russian ship hit in Novorossiysk, Black Sea drone attack, Ukraine sources say

Aug 4: A Russian naval ship has been damaged in a Ukrainian naval drone attack in the Black Sea, Ukrainian sources say.

The assault is reported to have happened near the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which is a major hub for Russian exports.

Russia's defence ministry said it had repelled a Ukrainian attack with two sea drones on its naval base there.

But Ukrainian security service sources say the Olenegorsky Gornyak was hit and suffered a serious breach.

They told the BBC a sea drone was carrying 450kg (992lb) of dynamite when it hit the ship.

Russia made no mention of any damage in its report of the incident.

A video sent to the BBC by a source with Ukraine's security service appears to show the drone approaching a ship thought to be the Olenegorsky Gornyak.

The footage shows a vessel travelling right up to the side of a ship before the feed cuts out, apparently on impact.

Another unverified video is thought to show the ship listing to one side.

Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Novorossiysk port temporarily suspended any movement of ships following the assault, according to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which loads oil onto tankers at the port.

Sea drones are small, unmanned vessels that operate on or below the water's surface.

Research by BBC Verify suggests Ukraine has carried out at least 10 attacks with sea drones- targeting military ships and Russia's naval base in Sevastopol, as well as Novorossiysk harbour in a previous attack.

This is based on announcements by Russian and Ukrainian authorities, and local media reports. Ukrainian defence sources have told CNN that sea drones had also been used in an attack on the Kerch Bridge to Crimea in July.

Novorossiysk is one of the biggest ports in the Black Sea. The emergency services in the area confirmed reports of blasts and security services have been informed, Russian state media said.

Clashes in the sea have increased in recent weeks after Russia abandoned a UN deal that enabled grain to be safely exported between Russia and Ukraine across the water.

Earlier this week, Russia attacked the big Black Sea ports of Odesa and Chornomorsk, where authorities said 60,000 tonnes of grain were destroyed, as well as ports on the River Danube.

Separately on Friday, Russia also said it had downed 10 Ukrainian aerial drones over Crimea.

(BBC)