- Ukraine launched a heavy drone and missile assault on Novorossiysk, damaging two major grain export terminals and hitting Russian naval vessels.
- Three people, including an eight-year-old child, were killed and another 24 injured in the overnight attack, local officials said.
- Zelensky called it a 'unique operation' targeting Russian fleet vessels, without mentioning grain terminals.
- Ukraine's military later said four Russian warships, including two frigates, were hit.
- Two Russian grain trading companies confirmed damage to their terminals.
- Russia's agriculture ministry announced redirecting cargo flows to Baltic and Caspian ports and land routes.
- An emergency situation was declared in Novorossiysk, suspending water supply.
- Russia's foreign ministry accused Ukraine of provoking chaos in global food markets.
- SovEcon projected August wheat exports could be the lowest since the 2016-2017 season.
- Russia is the world's largest wheat exporter - but according to a Moscow-based analytics company, exports for August could fall by more than half compared to the same month over the last five years due to the disruption in the Black and Azov seas.
- Russia's foreign ministry accused Ukraine of carrying out strikes on Russian grain and agricultural infrastructure, resulting in a hike in global food prices and growing grain shortages.
A significant escalation in the ongoing conflict occurred when Ukraine launched a coordinated drone and missile strike on Russia's Novorossiysk port, damaging vital grain export terminals and targeting Russian naval vessels. The attack resulted in three fatalities, including an eight-year-old child, and left 24 others injured.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the operation as a success, stating that a unique mix of long-range drones and weapons was employed to strike Russian fleet vessels. He emphasized that the occupying fleet and all supporting infrastructure will not be safe as long as Russian aggression persists. The Ukrainian military confirmed that four Russian warships, including two frigates, were hit during the assault.4
In response to the attack, Russia's Agriculture Ministry announced plans to redirect cargo flows to ports in the Baltic and Caspian Seas, as well as land routes, amid fears of a global food supply disruption. Reports indicate that Russia, the world's largest wheat exporter, could see its exports for August fall by more than half compared to previous years due to the ongoing conflict.6
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of attempting to provoke chaos in the global food market, claiming that such actions exacerbate shortages and drive up prices, particularly affecting countries in the Global South and East. Agricultural consultancy SovEcon noted that Russia is on track to export between 3 million and 3.4 million metric tons of wheat this month, significantly below the five-year August average of 5 million tons.
“The attack killed three people, including an eight-year-old, and injured 24, prompting an emergency declaration in Novorossiysk. Russia's agriculture ministry is redirecting cargo to Baltic and Caspian ports, while SovEcon projects August wheat exports could fall to the lowest since 2016-2017.”
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