Ukrainian Drones Hit Russian Frigate Admiral Essen for Second Time in a Month

A Russian Black Sea Fleet frigate, Admiral Essen, was reportedly hit during a Ukrainian drone attack on the port of Novorossiysk on April 6, marking the second reported strike on the vessel within a month.

According to CyberBoroshno, which analyzed available imagery from the scene, the ship was identified as the Project 11356R frigate Admiral Essen, previously reported damaged during a Ukrainian drone attack on March 2.

The group stated that identification was based on visual indicators, including the distinct white radar systems installed on Admiral Essen, which differ from the grey antennas used on other ships of the same class.

Additional confirmation was drawn from the positioning of nearby vessels in the harbor, including the frigate Admiral Makarov, which remained in the same location as after a previous attack.

“Based on the analysis of available imagery, we can conclude that during the April 6 attack on Novorossiysk, the frigate Admiral Essen was hit again,” CyberBoroshno reported.

Satellite imagery published on April 7 was used to support the assessment, showing the relative positioning of ships in the port and highlighting the targeted vessel.

According to Defense Express on April 7, satellite imagery indicates that the frigate was struck in the bow section, near the A-190 100 mm naval gun. The impacted area includes anchor handling systems and auxiliary compartments, while below the waterline lies the MGK-335M “Platina” sonar system, used for submarine detection.

Defense Express reports that the sonar system is a sensitive component that requires complex repairs even after minor damage. If affected, it could significantly reduce the vessel’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

At the same time, the damage does not appear to have directly impacted the ship’s vertical launch systems for Kalibr cruise missiles, which are located in a different section of the vessel.

However, the outlet notes that the strike may have degraded the frigate’s mobility. If the ship is unable to leave port independently, this could limit its ability to conduct missile launches, as Russian naval vessels typically move offshore before launching Kalibr strikes.

The Admiral Essen is part of Russia’s Project 11356R frigate class, designed for anti-submarine warfare, surface engagements, and long-range strike missions. Ships of this class have been used to launch Kalibr cruise missiles against Ukrainian cities.

According to previous reports, the earlier strike on March 2 reportedly hit the ship’s central superstructure, potentially affecting critical onboard systems, including radar components.

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