Admiral Makarov Frigate Attacked in Novorossiysk Port; Researchers Confirm Damage to Ship and Oil Terminal

In the early hours of April 6, 2023, the Russian frigate Admiral Makarov, stationed in Novorossiysk, Krasnodar Krai, was struck by attacks resulting in at least two hits. This information was reported by the monitoring Telegram channel Exilenova+, which cited satellite images and videos published on April 7.

According to the channel's information, the first hit was recorded near the pier, close to the vertical launch systems UKSK 3S14, which are designed for launching Kalibr missiles. While the extent of the damage is currently unknown, analysts believe that the hit likely did not cause critical destruction to the ship.

The second hit, according to analysts, occurred in the anchoring area at the bow of the frigate, which is technically a secondary zone. Thus, it is unlikely to have a serious impact on the ship's combat capability. As noted in the description accompanying the satellite photo, the situation aboard the frigate could have been dangerous, as personnel were likely present at the time of the attack.

Analysts also suggest that the frigate's crew may have sustained injuries from shrapnel or suffered concussions due to the shockwave. In addition to the damage to the frigate, several sections of the oil terminal were also affected by the attack, including pipelines near docks No. 1 and No. 2, as well as dock No. 2 itself.

Furthermore, a strike was recorded on a pipeline in another loading area, near the SICN nodes and the shut-off valves of the pipeline system. This data confirms the seriousness of the situation in the port of Novorossiysk, where Russian military infrastructure has sustained significant damage.

The drone forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) carried out attacks on the frigate during the night of Monday, April 6, as well as on the Russian drilling rig Sivash. The Commander of the Special Operations Forces of the AFU, Robert (Madyar) Brovdi, confirmed that it was indeed the frigate Admiral Makarov being targeted.

According to Defense Express, the Admiral Makarov, belonging to the Project 11356R Burevestnik class, was the last surviving missile frigate of Russia equipped with Kalibr missiles in the Black Sea. It is worth noting that on March 2, the Ukrainian Defense Forces critically struck another frigate of the Project 11356R Burevestnik class, the Admiral Essen. Another ship of this class, the Admiral Grigorovich, has not been in the Black Sea since 2021, highlighting the diminishing military capabilities of Russia in this region.

This attack is part of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has persisted since 2014 and is marked by numerous military conflicts and escalating tensions in the region. Military actions continue to impact the situation in the Black Sea, where control over maritime routes and military resources is critically important for both sides.