According to British assessments, a suspected Ukrainian attack on oil depots near the Russian port of Novorossiysk shows the vulnerability of the Russian Black Sea fleet. The British Ministry of Defense in its daily intelligence update on Tuesday referred to Russian and Ukrainian media reports that there was an attack on November 18 at an oil terminal near the Russian naval base.
“Not all the details of this incident are known yet,” the ministry said. “Any demonstration that Ukraine has the ability to threaten Novorossiysk would pose another strategic challenge to the Black Sea Fleet. It would also further undermine Russia’s already reduced maritime influence in the Black Sea,” the statement said.
Media had reported that a Ukrainian drone had probably attacked a terminal of the oil company Transneft on the night of November 18. The company denied the reports.
After Ukraine attacked the Russian base of Sevastopol on the annexed peninsula of Crimea, the Russian Navy moved several submarines to Novorossiysk. The fact that this port is now also accessible to the Ukrainians is also a threat to Russian landing ships stationed there, it was said in London. These ships have taken on a more important role in supplying Russian forces in Ukraine since the Kerch Bridge was damaged in October.
The British Ministry of Defense has published daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine at the end of February, citing intelligence information. In doing so, the British government wants to both counter the Russian portrayal and keep allies in line. Moscow accuses London of a targeted disinformation campaign.
