Ukraine knocks out Russian Kalibr missile carrier Admiral Essen
The Russian frigate Admiral Essen suffered critical damage during an attack on the port of Novorossiysk. It can no longer strike Ukraine with Kalibr missiles, sources in the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) say.
Sources in the special service confirmed that during the attack on the port of Novorossiysk on the night of March 2, the SBU, together with the Defense Forces, struck the frigate Admiral Essen, a carrier of 8 Kalibr cruise missiles. The strike hit the ship’s midship superstructure.
As a result:
- Grenade launchers used for deploying thermal traps and radio signal dispersers exploded.
- The TK-25 electronic warfare system, which detects radar radiation and creates interference, was damaged.
- The ZR-90 Orekh target illumination radars, which are part of the guidance system of the ship’s anti-aircraft missile system, were hit.
- The main surveillance radar Fregat-M2M, responsible for long-range detection of air and surface targets, was likely damaged.
“During the operation, the SBU broke through the dense and multi-layered enemy air defense system around Novorossiysk Bay and the port. The fire on deck lasted about 18 hours, indicating serious internal destruction and complicated work for emergency crews,” an informed source said.
The ship sustained critical damage that significantly limits its ability to use Kalibr cruise missiles.
At present, the frigate cannot strike targets on the territory of Ukraine.
Photo evidence of the damage to the Russian frigate has also been released, confirming critical destruction of the ship’s superstructure and onboard equipment.
Photo: Damaged frigate Admiral Essen
As a result of the attack on the port of Novorossiysk on March 2, Ukrainian drones also struck the sea minesweeper Valentin Pikul and two anti-submarine ships.
