At least five grain carriers were attacked by drones near the Russian Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse on 17 and 18 August.
The attacks targeted ships either heading to Russian ports to load grain or already carrying cargo after leaving the Black Sea ports, highlighting growing risks for commercial shipping in the region. The most serious incident involved the Liberia-flagged Anna S, a Greek-owned bulk carrier. The vessel was attacked on Monday while sailing empty toward Novorossiysk to load grain.
The vessel was reportedly struck five times by drones and also hit by a projectile, triggering a fire that left the vessel almost completely destroyed. The ship’s 21 crew members abandoned the vessel and were rescued by the nearby Malta-flagged Elina B. All were reported safe.
The Elina B, which had loaded about 56,000 metric tons of wheat in Novorossiysk, was itself attacked by drones around five hours later. Despite sustaining damage, it continued toward the Bosporus.
Other vessels targeted included the Russian-flagged Victoria V, which was attacked near Novorossiysk while preparing to load wheat; the Marshall Islands-flagged Fehu, which was struck after leaving Novorossiysk with wheat but continued its voyage; and the San Marino-flagged Necibe, which was hit by drones in the port of Tuapse while due to load about 20,000 metric tons of wheat.
The attacks are the first confirmed strikes involving grain carriers serving Russian Black Sea ports. The incidents have raised further concerns over the safety of commercial navigation around Novorossiysk and Tuapse, both important Russian export hubs, as military activity increasingly affects vessels involved in the region’s grain trade.