Russia may have lost two Kalibr missile warships Russia’s Black Sea Fleet may have suffered a major blow after satellite imagery suggested two frigates capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles were seriously damaged in a Ukrainian strike on Novorossiysk. The August 12 attack reportedly hit the Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, potentially knocking out the launch systems that provide two of Moscow’s key naval strike platforms with long-range firepower. Satellite images reveal potentially devastating damage OSINT analysts examining imagery of the naval base believe the attack damaged the ships’ UKSK 3S14 vertical launch systems, which are used to fire Kalibr missiles. On the Admiral Essen, analysts identified deformation around the bow and damage to the eight-cell launcher module. The ship’s Trebovanie-M combat information and control system was also reportedly affected. The Admiral Makarov, meanwhile, appears to have suffered damage around its vertical launch systems, with analysts reporting an internal detonation that may have destroyed the launch silos. Black Sea Fleet could lose two key missile carriers Additional damage has reportedly affected the Makarov’s radar, communications and electronic warfare systems. If confirmed, both frigates could require lengthy repairs, potentially keeping them out of action for at least a year. That would represent a significant reduction in Russia’s ability to launch Kalibr strikes from the Black Sea. The claims are based on satellite imagery and have not been independently confirmed, meaning the full extent of the damage remains unclear. Ukraine struck deep inside Russia’s naval rear The two frigates are members of the Project 11356R Burevestnik class. Russia originally operated three such vessels in the Black Sea Fleet, but the Admiral Grigorovich is now in the Baltic region. The strike demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to hit a major Russian naval facility far from the frontline. Kyiv said the operation involved Palianytsia jet drones, Neptune missiles and unmanned maritime systems. A costly hit to Moscow’s naval firepower The Novorossiysk operation reportedly also damaged a Buyan-M missile ship and a Vasily Bykov-class patrol vessel. For Russia, the potential loss of two Kalibr-capable frigates simultaneously would leave a serious gap in its naval strike capability. For Ukraine, it underlines the growing reach of a campaign increasingly capable of attacking Russian forces deep behind the frontline. Russia’s navy may have lost two ships capable of launching Kalibr missiles
