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This Is What Ukraine’s Novorossiysk Strike Did to Russia’s Kalibr Fleet
Satellite imagery and new visual evidence are revealing the aftermath of Ukraine’s September 9 strike on Novorossiysk, with at least three Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels now confirmed hit and additional missile-carrying warships appearing to have sustained damage.
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Ukraine has confirmed that at least three Russian Black Sea Fleet vessels were hit during the September 9 missile-and-drone strike on Novorossiysk, with new imagery providing a clearer picture of the damage inflicted inside one of Russia’s most important naval hubs.
Ukraine’s General Staff said on September 10 that additional analysis confirmed strikes on the minesweeper Zheleznyakov, the missile frigate Admiral Essen and the Project 11711 large landing ship Pyotr Morgunov.
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The updated assessment significantly expands the confirmed results of the overnight operation, which targeted both military and port infrastructure in Novorossiysk.
Fuel-oil storage facilities at the port were also confirmed hit.
The most striking evidence, however, comes from imagery showing the vessels after the attack, published by the OSINT community Exilenova+.
Novorossiysk. The Buyan-M (Project 21631) was hit - a Russian multi-purpose small missile and artillery ship (MRK) of the 3rd rank, which is a carrier of the Kalibr and Onyx cruise missiles.
— Exilenova+ (@Exilenova_plus) September 10, 2026
The ship became inoperable after the hit. pic.twitter.com/TjnwiQtjWR
Visual analysis indicates that Admiral Essen, a Russian missile-carrying frigate capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles, was struck in its superstructure. A fire subsequently broke out on the ship, an effect also reported by Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence.
Separate imagery also appears to show another strike on the superstructure of the missile frigate Admiral Makarov. The full extent of damage to that vessel is still being assessed.
A Buyan-M-class small missile ship was also identified among the vessels apparently hit during the operation. Ships of this class are used by Russia as platforms for long-range cruise missiles and have participated in strikes against Ukraine.
Novorossiysk. Probable defeat of the Russian frigate, missile carrier - "Admiral Essen" by "Neptune". pic.twitter.com/C3yUSxyVFR
— Exilenova+ (@Exilenova_plus) September 10, 2026
One Buyan-M vessel linked to the latest visual evidence had reportedly taken part in a recent Russian missile strike on Kyiv before subsequently coming under Ukrainian attack in Novorossiysk, Exilenova+ noted.
The September 9 operation combined missiles and drones against the port, where Russia has concentrated significant elements of its Black Sea Fleet after Ukrainian strikes made operations from occupied Crimea increasingly dangerous.
Novorossiysk has consequently become particularly important for Moscow as both a naval base and a logistical hub.
On the night of 9 September, the Ukrainian Defence Forces carried out a combined missile and drone strike on the port of Novorossiysk.
— Exilenova+ (@Exilenova_plus) September 10, 2026
In particular, port and military infrastructure were hit.
Based on visual confirmation, we have:
🔴 A Buyan-M (Project 21631) was hit - a… pic.twitter.com/Or4r7Bib7J
Damage assessments remain underway, and Ukrainian authorities have not yet disclosed the full results of every strike recorded during the operation.
Earlier, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian high-speed Mangust patrol boat in temporarily occupied Crimea, along with drone facilities, reconnaissance systems, and ammunition depots across several temporarily occupied regions.
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