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Russia May Have Lost Two Key Kalibr Missile Carriers in Novorossiysk Strike
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Two Russian Black Sea Fleet frigates, Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, reportedly sustained serious damage during an August 12 strike on the Novorossiysk naval base, according to Militarnyi on August 20, citing an analysis by the OSINT account Absolutely Reliable Source.
Satellite imagery released by the account appears to show damage to the frigates’ missile launch systems, raising the possibility that both vessels may have lost their ability to launch Kalibr cruise missiles. The exact extent of the damage has not been officially disclosed.
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According to Militarnyi, Admiral Essen was hit in the bow section, deforming the deck and destroying an eight-cell module of the 3S14 universal vertical launch system used to fire Kalibr missiles.
The frigate’s Trebovaniye-M combat information and control system was also damaged.
Admiral Makarov, the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, was reportedly struck in the area of its vertical launch systems. According to the analysis, the impact caused an internal detonation and burned out the ship’s 3S14 launch cells.
The frigate also sustained damage to its radar, electronic warfare, and communications systems.
If the reported damage is confirmed, Russia’s Black Sea Fleet may have lost the operational use of two of its principal Kalibr missile carriers, the outlet reported.
Both vessels could also require extensive repairs if the damage to their launch systems is confirmed, with their return to combat service potentially taking at least a year, according to the assessment.
On August 12, Ukrainian forces launched an overnight strike against Russia’s naval base in Novorossiysk, targeting air defense positions, port berths, and other naval infrastructure, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy described the operation as unique, noting that Novorossiysk serves as Russia’s last major naval stronghold in the Black Sea and lies more than 300 kilometers from the frontline.
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