UKRAINE HITS ADMIRAL ESSEN—A RUSSIAN KALIBR MISSILE CARRIER

🟪 UKRAINE HITS ADMIRAL ESSEN—A RUSSIAN KALIBR MISSILE CARRIER Ukraine’s military intelligence has confirmed that the Russian frigate Admiral Essen was struck during the overnight operation against the Novorossiysk naval base. Operators from the Defense Intelligence Active Operations Department conducted the deep strike alongside other components of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. According to the intelligence agency, […]

🟪 UKRAINE HITS ADMIRAL ESSEN—A RUSSIAN KALIBR MISSILE CARRIER

Ukraine’s military intelligence has confirmed that the Russian frigate Admiral Essen was struck during the overnight operation against the Novorossiysk naval base.

Operators from the Defense Intelligence Active Operations Department conducted the deep strike alongside other components of Ukraine’s Defense Forces. According to the intelligence agency, accurate hits started a fire in the frigate’s deck superstructure. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Admiral Essen is no ordinary patrol vessel. The 125-meter Project 11356R frigate is one of the Black Sea Fleet’s principal surface combatants and can carry up to eight Kalibr cruise missiles—the same family of weapons Russia has repeatedly launched against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

The ship also carries Shtil-1 air-defense missiles, a 100-millimeter naval gun, close-range defensive weapons, torpedoes and anti-submarine systems. It can operate a Ka-27 helicopter and serve in strike, escort, air-defense and anti-submarine roles.

A fire in the superstructure could be particularly significant. That area contains radar, communications and combat-management equipment essential for detecting threats and coordinating the ship’s weapons. Even without sinking the vessel, damage to those systems could restrict its effectiveness and require extensive repairs.

Admiral Essen has participated in Russian missile operations since before the full-scale invasion, including Kalibr strikes during Russia’s intervention in Syria. It has also been associated with attacks against Ukraine and has reportedly sustained damage during previous Ukrainian operations against Novorossiysk.

That history explains why Ukraine continues hunting it. Every damaged missile carrier means fewer available launch platforms, greater pressure on Russia’s remaining fleet and another expensive repair problem inside a naval base Moscow once considered a sanctuary.

Russia moved much of its Black Sea Fleet from occupied Crimea to Novorossiysk to protect it. Ukraine has now demonstrated once again that relocation does not place the ships beyond reach.