Drones Target Russian Port Amid Growing Caspian Grain Exports

Russian port Makhachkala was attacked by drones overnight on September 10. Local residents reported explosions and smoke near the port area at around 3:00 a.m.

There is no official information yet on the extent of damage or impact on port operations, but possible strikes were recorded near infrastructure.

Makhachkala is Russia's only ice-free deep-water port on the Caspian Sea and plays a crucial role in grain exports. The port handles various cargoes, including grain, crude oil, and fertilizers.

The importance of Makhachkala for the agricultural market has been growing, with grain exports primarily destined for Iran, mainly corn and barley. In the first quarter of 2026, grain throughput reached 161.8 thousand tonnes, five times the volume recorded in the same period a year earlier.