Russia’s navy may have lost two ships capable of launching Kalibr missiles
Photo: frigate Admiral Makarov (Russian Ministry of Defense)
The consequences of the August 12 attack on the naval base in Novorossiysk have become known, after which two frigates of the Russian Black Sea Fleet sustained damage. The first details regarding the possible scale of this damage have emerged, reports the Militarnyi portal.
The portal carefully examined materials from OSINT analysts Absolutely Reliable Source, who published satellite imagery of the Novorossiysk base. The images likely capture damage to the launch systems of both frigates.
If this information is confirmed, both vessels may have lost the ability to deploy Kalibr missiles — the primary strike weapon of this class of frigates.
Damage to the Admiral Essen
According to analysts, the strike hit the bow of the ship, where the deck was deformed. The 8-cell module of the universal shipborne launcher UKSK 3S14, designed specifically for launching Kalibr missiles, was destroyed. Also, according to this data, the Trebovanie-M combat information and control system was damaged.
This is not the first time for this frigate — at the beginning of 2026, its damage had already been reported.
Kalibr carriers — Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen in August 2026 (photo: @absreliable)
Fleet flagship suffered an internal detonation
The Admiral Makarov is the flagship of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. According to available data, the strike hit the area of the vertical launch systems, triggering an internal detonation and burning out the UKSK 3S14 launch silos.
In addition, analysts report damage to the ship's radar, electronic warfare, and communications systems.
How serious a loss it is for the fleet
If the damage to the launch systems on both frigates is confirmed, the Russian Black Sea Fleet could lose two of its main Kalibr missile carriers at once. According to current assessments, both ships will require lengthy repairs, and their return to operational status could take at least a year.
It should be noted that the extent of the damage is currently based on satellite imagery analysis and has not been officially confirmed — this information requires further verification.
Damage to the frigate "Admiral Essen" in March 2026 (photo: CyberBoroshno)
Three frigates of the same project
The Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen belong to Project 11356R Burevestnik — a series of Russian multi-purpose frigates built on the basis of the export Talwar-class vessels, which were constructed for the Indian Navy.
The Russian Black Sea Fleet included three frigates of this project:
- Admiral Grigorovich
- Admiral Essen
- Admiral Makarov
The Admiral Grigorovich — the only surviving ship of this series — is currently in the Baltic region. It was last recorded when it opened warning fire on a British yacht in the English Channel. It is also known that in April, this frigate escorted several Russian shadow fleet tankers through the strait.
Context of the material
On August 12, units of Ukraine's Defense Forces, as part of a joint operation, struck the naval base in Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai, Russia. Two Project 11356 frigates came under attack: the Admiral Makarov and the Admiral Essen. Also hit were a Project 21631 Buyan-M small missile ship and a Project 22160 Vasily Bykov patrol ship.
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the operation was conducted at a distance of over 300 km from the front line. The attack involved Palianytsia jet drones, Neptune missiles, and unmanned maritime systems.
