The United States has formally expressed its concerns to Ukraine regarding recent strikes on the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, citing potential impacts on American economic interests.
U.S. officials indicated that these attacks may have affected certain American investments in Kazakhstan. Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Stefanishyna reported that the U.S. State Department advised Ukraine to refrain from actions that could jeopardize American interests.
Stefanishyna noted that while the U.S. has raised concerns about the strikes in Novorossiysk, they did not suggest that Ukraine should avoid targeting Russian military or energy infrastructure. “This was specifically related to the fact that American economic interests were at stake. We took this into account,” she stated.
Furthermore, the State Department clarified that the U.S. does not have the same level of economic interests in Ukraine as it does in Kazakhstan, highlighting a disparity in American investments between the two countries.
In December 2025, it was reported that Ukrainian drones successfully attacked a Russian submarine in Novorossiysk, marking a historic first for drone strikes on submarines. The Security Service of Ukraine confirmed that the submarine sustained critical damage and was rendered inoperable, with four Kalibr cruise missile launchers onboard at the time.
Previous drone strikes in Novorossiysk also resulted in fires at an oil depot and the port itself, leading to a halt in oil exports following the nighttime attacks. Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk noted that the preparation for targeting the Russian submarine “Varshavyanka” was complex and multi-layered, emphasizing that the port remains a dangerous area for Russian vessels, as they could still be targeted by Ukrainian forces.
The U.S. has lodged a diplomatic protest with Ukraine over its attacks on the Russian port of Novorossiysk, citing impacts on American investments. While the U.S. urged caution regarding its economic interests, it did not advise against strikes on Russian military targets.