Photo: facebook.com/mod.mil.rus
Ukrainian forces struck the Admiral Essen frigate, a Russian warship capable of carrying Kalibr cruise missiles, during an overnight operation in Novorossiysk on September 9, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) reported.
According to HUR, operators from its Active Operations Department, together with other Ukrainian Defense Forces units, carried out a deep-strike operation against the Russian naval base in Novorossiysk.
The strikes damaged infrastructure at the naval base and hit the Project 11356 frigate Admiral Essen. A fire broke out on the ship’s superstructure following the impact.
The strike is significant for Ukraine because the Admiral Essen is a Kalibr missile carrier. Russia uses these missiles to conduct strikes against Ukrainian territory.
The frigate has previously been targeted by Ukrainian forces. In August 2026, HUR and Ukrainian Defense Forces reported strikes on the Admiral Essen, the Admiral Makarov and the Vasily Bykov patrol ship in Novorossiysk.
