The mayor of Novorossiysk, a Russian Black Sea port, announced that beach access would be restricted on Wednesday morning. Earlier, he had reported that the defence forces were battling a drone attack at sea.

On Telegram, Mayor Andrei Kravchenko announced that the water in the bay would be surveyed until 0900 (0600 GMT), on July 3. We ask you to refrain visiting the beach, embankments, and recreational areas near the water during operations.

Kravchenko had earlier said that the port was being attacked by a drone from the sea, but without giving any details.

Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking port cities along the Black Sea Coast and the Crimean Peninsula that is annexed by Moscow, but Russian officials do not always reveal the full extent damage caused by Ukrainian attacks.

The reports could not be independently verified. Ukraine has not yet responded.

Kyiv said that the attacks on Russia's energy, transport and military infrastructure were in response to Moscow's constant attacks on Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. (Reporting and editing by Christian Schmollinger in Melbourne, Lidia Kelly is reporting from Melbourne)