Novorossiysk blackout: Ukrainian drone strike disrupts power, fleet relocates
At least 20,000 residents of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea are without power as of Saturday. Ukrainian drones struck the city two days prior. Novorossiysk hosts a significant portion of Russia's Black Sea Fleet.
2:11 PM EDT, May 18, 2024
"The sound of a drone" preceded the strike on an electrical substation in Novorossiysk," wrote Jason Jay Smart, a political advisor who contributes to the "Kyiv Post," on X. "Just two days ago, Ukrainian drones hit Novorossiysk, where a large part of Russia's Black Sea Fleet is stationed. A significant portion of the city is currently without power," he added.
The news service news.online.ua reports that, according to the city's mayor, the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. "Local residents said they heard drone sounds at night. These reports are currently being verified," it stated.
Earlier, 35 drones descended on the Russian city. "Several fires broke out in many places. In parts of the city there is no power, and public transport is not operating," reported wiadomosci.wp.pl on Friday morning.
Attacks on "sensitive points"
Ukraine destroyed nearly 14% of Russian refinery production capacity, reported Bloomberg, adding that these attacks led to a fuel price increase of up to 30% in Russia.
These are drone attacks that have been harassing Russian cities for months. "However, these attacks have had a minimal impact on electricity production," added Bloomberg, citing Pentagon data.
"In response to the Ukrainian attacks, the Black Sea Fleet has started to avoid the coast and has relocated part of its ships from its main base in occupied Sevastopol in Crimea," it was reported.
