Russia Ukraine Conflict: Explosion And Firing Reported Near Russian Black Sea Port Novorossiysk

Russia Ukraine Conflict: Explosion and firing reported near Russian Black Sea port Novorossiysk.

Russian social media users reported hearing explosions and gunfire on Friday morning near the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.

Videos posted on a local online community and broadcast by Russian online news outlet Astra showed the movement of ships off the coast, accompanied by gunshots coming from the sea.

Russia Ukraine Conflict: The emergency department of the city of Novorossiysk, whose port is one of the largest on the Black Sea, could not be reached for comment.

Skirmishes have escalated in the Black Sea and nearby ports since Russia last month refused to extend an agreement allowing the safe export of grain from Ukrainian ports.

Russian drones and missiles have attacked several Ukrainian port facilities and grain stores located on and near the Black Sea.

Russia has also reported attacks by Ukrainian maritime drones on its warships that were escorting a civilian vessel.