ASTRA: Russia’s only ice-free deepwater Caspian port reportedly targeted PHOTO / VIDEO

Russia’s only ice-free deepwater port on the Caspian Sea, the Makhachkala Commercial Seaport, was reportedly targeted in a drone attack, according to an open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysis by ASTRA.

Explosions were reported in the port area of Makhachkala around 3 a.m., while local online chats mentioned air-defence activity against drones but no air-raid alert. Some suggested that oil fields in the Caspian Sea could have been the target.

An OSINT expert from ASTRA identified the seaport as a possible target and said it was likely hit. However, the authorities have not officially reported any damage or confirmed an attack on the port.

The port is a key maritime hub on the Caspian Sea, handling both liquid and dry cargo year-round. On September 1, it was reported that the port had set a historic grain-handling record, transshipping more than 2.9 million tons during the first eight months of the year. Around 1.83 million tons of liquid cargo were also handled during the period.

The dry-cargo harbour includes a transhipment complex, berths for general and bulk cargo and containers, a rail and road ferry terminal, and a grain terminal. Six vessels can be handled simultaneously at six berths with a combined length of more than 900 meters. The commercial seaport also operates its own transport fleet.

By Jeyhun Aghazada