Russian independent media outlet Astra reported that drones struck Russia’s Black Sea Fleet at the port of Novorossiysk in Krasnodar Krai overnight on July 6. While Ukraine has not issued an official statement, the Kyiv Independent, which also covered the story, said it could not independently verify the claims.
According to Astra, air raid sirens were activated for several hours in Novorossiysk, and Russian air defense systems were engaged. The full extent of the damage is still under assessment.
Footage released by Astra appears to show a maritime drone engulfed in flames after reportedly being intercepted during the attack. Novorossiysk lies on the eastern side of the Black Sea, just across the Kerch Strait from Russian-occupied Crimea.
Drone warfare between Russia and Ukraine has intensified, particularly as Ukraine continues to strike military infrastructure inside Russian territory. This latest incident followed a weekend of widespread drone attacks by both countries, disrupting Russian air travel and escalating military tensions.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its forces intercepted 120 Ukrainian drones overnight, with another 39 downed by early Sunday afternoon. However, the ministry did not disclose how many drones may have reached their targets or the total number launched.
The drone assault sparked mass delays and cancellations across major Russian airports, including those in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Social media images showed large crowds stranded in terminals, as reported by Russia’s Transport Ministry.
Separately, Ukrainian officials claimed responsibility for a strike on the Borisoglebsk air base in Russia’s Voronezh region. The base reportedly houses Su-34, Su-35S, and Su-30SM fighter jets. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the strike may have damaged a training aircraft, a depot for glide bombs, and potentially other aircraft. Russian authorities have yet to respond publicly to the claim.
In border regions, two civilians were reportedly injured by Ukrainian drone strikes in Russia’s Belgorod region, Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
In a disturbing new development, Dutch intelligence agencies revealed Friday that Russia has increased its use of banned chemical weapons in Ukraine. A joint investigation by the Netherlands’ military intelligence and Germany’s intelligence service found that Russian forces are now routinely deploying toxic agents like chloropicrin—a World War I-era gas—alongside riot control chemicals such as CS gas.
The report said Russian troops are using the chemicals to flush Ukrainian soldiers from fortified positions, making them more vulnerable to conventional attacks. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans condemned the use of banned weapons and called for additional sanctions against Moscow, as well as continued military aid for Kyiv.
