Russia has stepped up camouflage and security measures at key Black Sea Fleet logistics facilities in the port city of Novorossiysk. The measures come amid mounting pressure on Russia’s naval infrastructure after a series of successful Ukrainian strikes targeting Black Sea Fleet assets, forcing Moscow to urgently adapt how it supplies and protects its naval forces.
According to Ukraine’s ATESH partisan movement, Russian military command in Novorossiysk moved into a state of heightened readiness after Ukrainian Defense Forces struck Black Sea Fleet facilities multiple times.
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During reconnaissance of the 61st Support Ship Detachment, partisans reported that the entire perimeter of the logistics site had been covered with dense camouflage nets. The apparent aim, they said, was to conceal the loading, unloading, and movement of military supplies supporting the fleet.
At the same time, Russian forces reportedly installed additional video surveillance systems around the base, expanding technical monitoring in what ATESH described as an attempt to project complete control and security.
Heavy military traffic draws civilian attention
Despite efforts to shield activity from view, partisans said the base has seen unusually intense movement.
According to the military movement, a constant flow of trucks and specialized vehicles has created traffic congestion on nearby streets, forcing civilian drivers to detour around the area. The visible buildup, they said, undercuts attempts to maintain an “information vacuum” around the facility.
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ATESH described the logistics hub as a critical “artery” for sustaining Black Sea Fleet operations and said the scale of activity suggests ongoing efforts to compensate for recent losses.
Partisans dismiss camouflage as ineffective
“All these precautionary measures are futile,” the movement noted, adding that its agents continue to document every entry and exit from the site. Information on logistics routes, traffic schedules, and updated security measures has already been passed to Ukrainian Defense Forces, ATESH claimed.
The group also issued a public appeal to Russian servicemen and truck drivers, urging them to anonymously share information about cargo contents and final destinations, promising confidentiality and rewards.
Strikes deepen pressure on Black Sea Fleet
The reported security overhaul follows a landmark strike in mid-December, when Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced it had attacked a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk for the first time.
According to the SBU, the submarine suffered critical damage and was effectively disabled. The agency said the vessel carried four Kalibr cruise missile launchers, weapons frequently used in strikes against Ukrainian cities.
“This class of submarine is also known as the ‘Black Hole’ due to the hull’s ability to absorb sound and remain inaudible to sonar,” the SBU said of the submarine.
Ukrainian Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk later said preparations for the operation against the Varshavyanka-class submarine were complex and multi-layered, underscoring Kyiv’s growing ability to target Russian naval assets far from the front lines.
Logistics under strain
Novorossiysk has become increasingly important to Russia as Ukraine has degraded the Black Sea Fleet’s traditional bases in occupied Crimea. Analysts say that makes logistics facilities in the port city both strategically vital and increasingly vulnerable.
ATESH said efforts to hide fleet supply operations behind camouflage nets will not prevent further exposure, warning that reconnaissance of Russian naval logistics in Novorossiysk is ongoing.
