Shooting drills scheduled at Novorossiysk port on July 2
In the waters of Novorossiysk Sea Port, Krasnodar, practical shooting exercises are scheduled to take place on July 2, 2025. These drills will simulate repelling attacks by unmanned boats and UAVs, integrating air defense missiles, small arms, and artillery fire to neutralize threats.
The exercises come in response to the evolving operational reality in naval and coastal defense, where the focus is on countering unmanned maritime and aerial threats using combined weapon systems. This shift is evident in the recent attacks in the Black Sea region, such as the large-scale combined attack that occurred on the night of July 5-6, 2025, in Novorossiysk, which involved sea and air drones targeting the Russian Black Sea Fleet base.
During the July 2025 incident, practical shooting measures were actively engaged, with defensive fire being exchanged for several hours as the defensive forces responded to the incursions. A marine drone was reportedly seen burning near the shore, and parts of the coast were closed off due to the threat of debris and possible repeated attacks.
The exercises in Novorossiysk are likely designed to mimic or respond to this kind of multi-domain threat. They will include practices to repel attacks by unmanned boats and UAVs, with artillery fire from the breakwaters of the Military Harbor being a part of the drills.
Residents and visitors are urged to remain calm and monitor news in the media. As a safety measure for the exercises, sailing and diving operations are prohibited during the exercises, which will take place from 10:00 to 18:00, July 2. Underwater work and diving operations are also prohibited during the exercises.
These exercises are not uncommon in the region, with the city administration's press service making the announcement regarding these drills and the prohibition of sailing and diving operations. The city administration's press service also made the initial announcement regarding the exercises taking place in Novorossiysk, Krasnodar.
The use of drone boats armed with advanced weaponry, such as AIM-9X heat-seeking missiles and machine guns, has become a concern for coastal defense forces. For example, Ukraine’s Magura line of drone boats includes models armed with machine guns performing roles like preventing enemy boats from advancing, while other Magura variants carry missiles. These drones are also used together in coordinated attacks involving combined arms tactics, such as using machine gun-armed drones to provide cover for missile-armed drones.
In summary, the exercises in Novorossiysk will involve shooting at UAVs and drone boats attacking the Novorossiysk port area, combining air defense missiles, small arms, and artillery fire to repel and neutralize threats. These drills mimic the real threats posed by drone boats armed with missiles and machine guns, as demonstrated in recent attacks in the Black Sea region.
Spectators and participants may notice that the exercises in Novorossiysk encompass more than just naval drills, as they will also include sports involving the use of small arms and artillery fire to simulate repelling attacks by drone boats and UAVs. In light of the growing concern over the use of drone boats armed with advanced weaponry, these sports-like exercises may offer valuable insights into countering such threats in the future.
