Ukraine strikes Admiral Essen frigate used by Russia to launch Kalibr missiles
Photo: Russian frigate Admiral Essen (facebook.com/mod.mil.rus)
Ukrainian forces struck the Admiral Essen frigate in Novorossiysk overnight on September 9. The warship is a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles, which Russia uses in attacks against Ukraine, according to the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine's Defense Ministry.
According to Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR), operators from the Active Operations Department, together with other elements of Ukraine's Defense Forces, carried out a deep-strike operation against Russia's naval base in Novorossiysk.
The strikes hit infrastructure at the Russian naval base as well as the Admiral Essen frigate, a Project 11356 warship.
The impact sparked a fire on the ship's superstructure.
The strike on the Admiral Essen is significant for Ukraine because the vessel is a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles, which Russia uses to attack Ukraine.
The Admiral Essen has been targeted by Ukrainian forces before. In August 2026, HUR and Ukraine's Defense Forces reported strikes on the Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov frigates in Novorossiysk, both Kalibr missile carriers, as well as the patrol ship Vasily Bykov.
