# Ukraine night blitz hits Russia Black Sea base, says Zelenskyy 2026-08-12T19:40:35+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets Ukraine launched a major overnight drone-and-missile strike on Russia's Novorossiysk naval base, the Black Sea fleet's last stronghold after earlier attacks forced ships out of Crimea. President Zelenskyy called the operation 'unique'. Local officials said three people, including an eight-year-old child, were killed and 24 wounded. Two of three grain terminals were damaged, with one halting operations. Russia said its air defences downed more than 500 Ukrainian drones. Ukraine has long used air and sea drones to challenge Russia's naval dominance, a rare battlefield success. Russia relocated most warships to Novorossiysk after Ukrainian strikes on Sevastopol. Putin on Wednesday threatened retaliation for Western seizures of Russian oil tankers, calling it 'piracy'. He is also accused of planning a fresh mobilisation, though Russian lawmakers deny it. The fighting continues to disrupt global grain supplies, with both sides trading strikes. ## Coverage - thehindu.com - timesnownews.com - ndtv.com Tags: Black Sea fleet, drone strikes, grain exports, Novorossiysk attack, Putin, Ukraine war Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ukraine-drone-blitz-hits-russias-novorossiysk-naval-base/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ukraine-drone-blitz-hits-russias-novorossiysk-naval-base/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.