Russian Frigate Admiral Essen Damaged in Novorossiysk Attack

A Russian frigate, the Admiral Essen, has sustained critical damage following a Ukrainian attack on the port of Novorossiysk on March 2, 2026. The vessel, capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles, is currently unable to strike Ukrainian territory, according to sources within the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Details of the Attack

The overnight attack, a joint operation between the SBU and Ukraine’s Defense Forces, targeted the Admiral Essen while it was docked in Novorossiysk. The strike hit the ship’s central superstructure, resulting in a fire that burned for approximately 18 hours. This prolonged blaze indicates significant internal damage and hampered emergency response efforts.

Damage Assessment

The attack inflicted substantial damage to several key systems on the Admiral Essen, including:

• Grenade launchers used for thermal decoys and radio signal dispersers, which detonated during the strike.
• The TK-25 electronic warfare complex, responsible for detecting radar emissions and creating interference, was damaged.
• ZR-90 Orekh target illumination radars, crucial components of the ship’s surface-to-air missile guidance system, were hit.
• The main Fregat-M2M surveillance radar, used for long-range detection of air and surface targets, was likely damaged.

Breaching Russian Defenses

The SBU reported that the operation involved successfully breaching a “dense, multi-layered enemy air defense system” surrounding Novorossiysk Bay and the port. This success is particularly notable given Russia’s efforts to bolster defenses in the area following previous Ukrainian strikes that forced the Black Sea Fleet to relocate from Sevastopol.

Impact on Ukrainian Territory

Ukrainian officials state that the critical damage sustained by the Admiral Essen significantly limits its ability to launch Kalibr cruise missiles, effectively preventing it from striking targets within Ukraine.

Additional Vessels Targeted

The March 2 attack also targeted other Russian vessels in Novorossiysk, including the minesweeper Valentin Pikul and the anti-submarine ships Yeysk and Kasimov. The Sheskharis oil terminal was also struck, resulting in a large fire.

Background: The Admiral Essen

The Admiral Essen is a Russian warship of the Grigorovich-class frigate, capable of carrying eight Kalibr cruise missiles. In 2022, this vessel was reportedly involved in the destruction of the Mykolaiv regional council building.

Sources: NV.ua, Hromadske.ua, United24media.com, UA.news