A 141-meter ship mysteriously “disappeared” in the Black Sea near Novorossiysk, while Russian authorities are keeping the incident under wraps

On 7 August, a large ship disappeared in the Black Sea near Novorossiysk, according to Ukrainian monitoring channel Exilenova+. Satellite imagery suggests the vessel may have been carrying military cargo. Russian authorities are known for concealing fleet losses, often classifying sinkings as accidents or staying silent about the incidents. The 141-meter ship, without a foreign owner, has received no inquiries. Russian officials have not commented on the sinking.

The vessel was approximately 141 meters long, implying a displacement of around 10,000 tonnes, as reported by Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi. On 6-7 August, the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine struck 102 enemy targets, including six shadow fleet vessels in the Black and Azov Seas - two tankers and four dry cargo ships. Striking three units of Russia's fleet was also reported on 7 August alone.

It is plausible that the ship that sank near Novorossiysk is among those targeted during those days, according to Militarnyi. On 12 August, Novorossiysk, Russia's primary Black Sea naval hub, was attacked by Ukraine's defense forces using various drones and missiles.