Ukrainian forces have reportedly struck two modern Russian Navy warships at the port of Novorossiysk, including the Admiral Essen frigate and a Buyan-M-class missile corvette, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.
The two vessels are equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles and were reportedly hit by Ukrainian-made Neptune anti-ship missiles.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, the strikes caused fires on the decks of the vessels near their missile-launch systems. Satellite imagery reportedly shows visible damage to the rear section of the Admiral Essen, although the full extent of the damage to both ships has not yet been established.
The attack also reportedly targeted infrastructure at the Novorossiysk port, including an oil terminal and military facilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strikes in a statement on social media.
The Admiral Essen, launched in 2014, is part of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet and has been used in military operations, including the launch of Kalibr missiles against targets in Ukraine.
The frigate had previously been relocated from Sevastopol to Novorossiysk following repeated Ukrainian attacks on Russian military facilities in Crimea, with the move intended to place the vessel farther from Ukrainian strike capabilities.
Buyan-M-class corvettes, built between 2014 and 2023, also form an important part of Russia’s naval missile capability and are equipped with Kalibr missiles.
Russia has repeatedly used Kalibr missiles during the war to strike military targets and critical infrastructure in Ukraine, with some variants capable of traveling thousands of kilometers.
Ukraine targets Russia’s naval capabilities
Ukraine has increasingly relied on asymmetric tactics to challenge Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, combining aerial and maritime drones with anti-ship missiles.
The strategy has allowed Kyiv to strike Russian naval assets while reducing its reliance on conventional naval forces and has forced Russia to reposition parts of its fleet away from areas vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has claimed to have destroyed or damaged roughly 28 to 30 Russian vessels, including the Moskva missile cruiser, the Rostov-on-Don submarine and several landing ships and frigates.
The losses have significantly affected Russia’s ability to operate close to Ukraine’s Black Sea coastline.
The reported strikes on the Admiral Essen and Buyan-M-class corvette would represent another setback for Russia’s naval capabilities if the extent of the damage is confirmed.
The attack also underscores Ukraine’s continued ability to reach Russian naval assets even after Moscow moved major vessels farther east to bases and ports considered safer from Ukrainian strikes.
