Ukrainian Drone Reportedly Hits Russian Tapir-Class Warship in Novorossiysk

Ukrainian defense forces conducted a coordinated overnight drone strike on military and logistics facilities in Russia’s Novorossiysk port, reportedly damaging a large Russian landing ship of the Project 1171 “Tapir” class, according to Hromadske, citing an informed source.

In the early hours of November 25, long-range drones struck several targets at the Novorossiysk port complex in Russia’s Krasnodar region. Preliminary reports suggest that a Project 1171 landing ship, docked at the naval base, sustained damage during the operation.

The port of Novorossiysk is a major strategic asset for Russia, serving both as a critical export hub for oil and as a key naval base for the Russian Black Sea Fleet.

According to Hromadske, the operation was conducted jointly by multiple Ukrainian security and military agencies, including the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR), Special Operations Forces, the Drone Systems Forces, the State Border Guard Service, and the Coastal Rocket and Artillery Forces of Ukraine’s Navy.

The Project 1171 “Tapir”-class landing ships are among the largest amphibious vessels in the Russian Navy and have been used to transport military equipment and personnel across the Black Sea, including in support of operations against Ukraine.

Earlier on November 25, Ukraine conducted coordinated long-range strikes on key Russian military and energy infrastructure, including the Beriev Aircraft Plant in Taganrog—home to A-50 and Tu-95 bombers—reportedly destroying the rare A-60 laser aircraft.

Additional hits targeted a UAV plant, the Sheskharis oil terminal, and the Tuapse refinery, with damage reported to oil loading systems and an S-400 launcher.

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