Russian law enforcement authorities have opened a criminal terrorism investigation after overnight Ukrainian drone strikes damaged residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in the Black Sea port city of Novorossiysk, officials said.
Svetlana Petrenko, the official spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia, told news outlet Lenta.ru that investigators launched a case under Article 205 of the Russian Criminal Code, which defines and penalizes acts of terrorism.
According to the investigation, Ukrainian armed forces carried out overnight strikes using unmanned aerial vehicles against targets across Novorossiysk. The drone strikes damaged private residential houses, multi-story apartment buildings, a church, and a kindergarten, leaving civilian residents injured and killed. Authorities stated that the precise number of casualties is currently being clarified.
Petrenko said investigators are carrying out measures to gather evidence at the scene and work toward identifying the specific individuals responsible for committing the crime.
Black Sea port hub
Novorossiysk is a major commercial port city and naval hub situated in the Krasnodar Krai region of southern Russia. Located along Tsemes Bay on the northeastern coast of the Black Sea, the city houses Russia's main Black Sea commercial harbor, which handles significant volumes of petroleum, grain, and container shipping.
The city also serves as a strategic naval base for the Russian Navy's Black Sea Fleet. Due to its economic and military importance, Novorossiysk has periodically been targeted by air and naval drone operations during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Federal terrorism probe
The Investigative Committee of Russia, commonly known as Sledkom, is the country's main federal law enforcement agency responsible for investigating major crimes, state security offenses, and high-profile acts of violence. The agency operates directly under the authority of the Russian president.
Under Russian law, Article 205 of the Criminal Code criminalizes acts of terror that endanger human life, cause property damage, or aim to intimidate the civilian population to influence decision-making by state institutions. Convictions under the statute carry lengthy prison sentences, including potential life imprisonment for severe offenses.
