Day 1503 of the war shows a new escalation of aerial attacks from both sides, with a focus on the energy infrastructure.
Ukraine has struck with drones one of Russia’s most important oil export hubs at the Black Sea, in the port of Novorossiysk. The attack could temporarily affect oil flows and Russian military logistics if the extent of the damage is confirmed.
Internally, Ukraine continues to be systematically hit in its energy infrastructure, with widespread power outages in the north and in the Kiev area.
On the other hand, the Russians have hit the city of Odesa, damaging several residential buildings and causing at least three deaths.
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The conflict is also taking on economic and informational dimensions: Russia is accused of attempting to monetize the war in the occupied territories, and signs of public dissatisfaction are emerging within the country, including a visible decrease in trust in Vladimir Putin.
How the Ukrainians struck
- Major strike in the port of Novorossiysk - Ukraine launched a massive drone attack on the Russian port of Novorossiysk, the main oil export hub on the Black Sea, as reported by Kiev Independent. The explosions triggered intense fires at a terminal, where critical facilities and control systems were reportedly damaged. According to Ukrainian sources and OSINT, the terminal's operations could be temporarily disrupted. Russian authorities confirm the attack, reporting eight injured individuals and damages to residential buildings.
- Russia: 148 drones shot down in three hours - Russia claims to have intercepted 148 Ukrainian drones in just three hours on Sunday night, especially in central and southern regions, according to Reuters. The attacks caused major power outages, affecting nearly half a million households in occupied or front-line areas.
- Ukraine rejects 114 Russian drones - In turn, the Ukrainian air defense has shot down or neutralized 114 out of the 141 drones launched by Russia, as shown by Ukrainska Pravda. The attack included Shahed drones and other types launched from various Russian regions and from the occupied Crimea. However, 26 drones hit targets in 17 locations, and debris fell in another 13 areas.
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Russian attacks
- Massive power outages in northern Ukraine - Russian strikes on the energy infrastructure have left over 340,000 consumers without electricity in the Chernihiv region. Two major facilities were damaged. Authorities state that most of the region is affected. Meanwhile, the city of Slavutych, with around 21,000 residents, was left completely without power after a similar attack.
- Odesa under fire - The Russians have targeted the city of Odesa, damaging several residential buildings and causing at least three deaths.
- Mined bridge in Kherson - Russian forces have mined a road bridge over the Koshova River in the city of Kherson using anti-personnel mines. Local police warn that the area is extremely dangerous and urge the population to completely avoid it.
- Grain ship sunk in the Sea of Azov - Authorities installed by Russia in Herson claim that a Ukrainian drone allegedly hit a cargo ship transporting grain in the Sea of Azov, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda. One crew member is said to have died, and two others are reported missing. The information is not independently confirmed.
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Other relevant information
- Russia changes tactics: non-stop attacks - Russia has shifted to wave drone attacks, conducted both day and night, to exhaust Ukrainian air defenses, according to an analysis by The Times. Some operations last up to 24 hours and may involve hundreds or even a thousand drones. False targets are frequently used to deplete Ukrainian ammunition. Kiev links this change to the redeployment of Western systems to other conflict zones, including the Middle East.
- "War tourism" in occupied Donetsk - Russian authorities in the occupied Donetsk region aim to develop so-called "military-historical tourism," with routes through combat zones and monuments. Kiev accuses the project of being propagandistic, designed to glorify war and impose the Russian narrative. Additionally, it is seen as an attempt to monetize destruction, turning devastated cities into ideological and economic tools.
- Putin loses trust - Trust in Vladimir Putin has dropped by 5 percentage points in just one week, according to ISW data cited by Ukrinform. The decline comes amid dissatisfaction with censorship and restrictions on Telegram. Criticism is coming even from propagandists and military bloggers, and the use of VPNs has surged in Russia. Experts suggest that the public reaction is stronger than the Kremlin expected.