A routine journey for wheat turned dangerous as crews faced damage, fire and uncertainty along one of the Black Sea’s busiest routes.

At least five grain ships were attacked by drones near the Russian Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse. Four strikes occurred on Tuesday morning, while another grain carrier was damaged on Monday.

The attacks affected vessels that were either heading to Russian ports to load grain or had already entered the Black Sea with cargo. Some of the bulk carriers were able to continue their voyages, but a fire broke out on one of them.

Which Grain Ships Were Struck

Victoria V – the Russian-flagged bulk carrier was attacked near Novorossiysk. The vessel had arrived at the port to load wheat.
Fehu – the Marshall Islands-flagged vessel was struck after leaving Novorossiysk with a cargo of wheat. Despite sustaining damage, it was able to continue its voyage.
Elina B – the Malta-flagged bulk carrier was attacked after loading approximately 56,000 metric tons of wheat in Novorossiysk. Following the incident, the vessel continued toward the Bosporus.
Necibe – the San Marino-flagged grain carrier was hit by drones in the port of Tuapse, where it was due to load approximately 20,000 metric tons of wheat.
Anna S – the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier was attacked on Monday while heading to Novorossiysk to load barley. A fire broke out on board after the strike, and the damage prevented the vessel from continuing its voyage.

According to MarineTraffic data, all five vessels are currently or were recently in the Black Sea. These incidents mark the first confirmed attacks on grain carriers serving Russian Black Sea ports.

Shipping Risks Near Novorossiysk

The series of strikes is heightening shipowners’ concerns about calling at Russian ports. Meanwhile, Russia is attempting to downplay the extent of the damage its port infrastructure has sustained as a result of Ukrainian attacks.

A separate incident occurred near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal outside Novorossiysk. After loading Russian oil there, the Suezmax-class tanker Skiros, capable of carrying around 1 million barrels of oil, was struck.

The strikes on grain carriers and an oil tanker near Russian ports indicate growing security risks to commercial shipping in the Black Sea.