Ukraine May Have Left 2 Russian Frigates Unable to Launch Missiles After Novorossiysk Strike

Satellite imagery reportedly shows serious damage to the Russian Black Sea Fleet’s flagship, the frigate Admiral Makarov, following Ukraine’s Aug. 12 strike on the Novorossiysk naval base in Russia’s Krasnodar region.The damage assessment has not been officially confirmed and is based on satellite imagery and OSINT analysis. Several Russian and Ukrainian military-affiliated sources, however, have reported significant damage to the ship and to another Russian frigate, Admiral Essen.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.According to the Russian Telegram channel Military Informant, satellite imagery shows a visible hole in the bow section of Admiral Makarov’s upper deck, to the left of its Kalibr cruise missile launchers. The channel also assessed that the ship’s Centaur-NM1 satellite communications station and Pozitiv-M1.2 detection radar, located on the superstructure near the stern, were damaged. The Ukrainian channel Krymsky Veter reported that the strike hit the area of the ship’s vertical launch system, allegedly triggering an internal detonation that destroyed the UKSK 3S14 launch cells. The Ukrainian outlet Militarniy, citing OSINT materials from Absolutely Reliable Source, also reviewed satellite imagery of the Novorossiysk naval base. According to the analysts, the ship’s bow was struck and the deck was deformed. They said the eight-cell UKSK 3S14 universal naval launcher module, designed to fire Kalibr cruise missiles, was destroyed. Other Topics of Interest At Least 6 Kyiv Markets Damaged or Destroyed in Russian Attacks Since 2022 Vendors at Kyiv’s Pochaina flea market are trying to survive after a Russian strike destroyed stock, livelihoods, and prized collectibles. The Trebovanie-M combat information and control system was also reportedly damaged. Admiral Essen also reportedly damaged The same Ukrainian and Russian sources reported significant damage to Admiral Essen, another Project 11356R Burevestnik-class frigate. Satellite imagery reportedly shows the most serious damage in the ship’s bow, including damage to the deck and the eight-cell UKSK 3S14 launcher module for Kalibr missiles. The Trebovanie-M combat information and control system was also reportedly disabled. In addition, analysts said the ship’s 3Ts-25E surveillance radar antennas, TK-25 electronic warfare system and Centaur satellite communications dome were destroyed. Krymsky Veter claimed that both frigates had “completely lost their strike potential and combat control capability” and would be out of service for at least a year. Military Informant similarly said the ships would require “lengthy drydock repairs,” arguing that the strike could leave the Black Sea Fleet without two modern frigates capable of launching a combined 16 cruise missiles. These assessments have not been independently confirmed, however, and the precise extent of the damage remains subject to further verification. Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck four Russian warships during an overnight operation at the Novorossiysk naval base in Russia’s Krasnodar region on Aug. 12. The General Staff and Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed that the strikes were part of a joint operation. Preliminary information indicates that the attack caused varying degrees of damage to two Project 11356 frigates, Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, as well as the Project 21631 small missile ship Buyan-M and the Project 22160 patrol ship Vasily Bykov. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine struck the Novorossiysk naval base using domestically produced Palianytsia drones and Neptune missiles. The base is located on the Black Sea, more than 300 kilometers (roughly 186 miles) from the frontline. Zelensky described the strike as a “unique operation.” Russian authorities declared a state of emergency in Novorossiysk following the large-scale Ukrainian attack, which damaged infrastructure, disrupted the water supply, and sparked multiple fires. Novorossiysk Mayor Andrei Kravchenko announced the emergency after authorities lifted a drone alert that had remained in effect overnight. According to Kravchenko, the attack ruptured two major water pipelines, forcing the suspension of water supplies to the city. He also reported multiple fires but did not provide further details on the extent of the damage. Immediately after the attack, the Ukrainian Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) claimed that Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen had been destroyed. Russian military-affiliated channels subsequently questioned how the Black Sea Fleet could remain safe in Novorossiysk if Ukrainian forces could repeatedly strike the base. Novorossiysk became the main base for elements of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet after Ukrainian strikes forced Moscow to move many of its warships away from occupied Crimea. However, the relocation has not made the vessels immune to Ukrainian attacks. Admiral Makarov was previously targeted on April 6, while Admiral Essen was damaged on March 2, according to Ukrainian reports. What is left of the frigate class? Admiral Makarov became the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet after Ukraine sank the missile cruiser Moskva with a missile strike on April 14, 2022. The frigate has been used by Russia to launch attacks against Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Both Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen belong to the Project 11356R Burevestnik class, based on the Talwar-class frigates built for the Indian Navy. Russia’s Black Sea Fleet originally had three frigates of the class: Admiral Grigorovich, Admiral Essen, and Admiral Makarov. Admiral Grigorovich is now the only surviving ship of the class. It is currently in the Baltic region and was last reported firing warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel. The frigate was also reported in April to have escorted several Russian “shadow fleet” tankers through the English Channel. If the reported damage to Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen is confirmed, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet could temporarily lose two of its most capable remaining surface combatants, further limiting its ability to conduct long-range strikes from the Black Sea. Julia is a Deputy Head of News and correspondent for Kyiv Post who has previously worked as a parliamentary editor, journalist, and news editor. She has specialized in covering the work of the Ukrainian parliament, government, and law enforcement agencies.