Ukraine Strikes Russian Frigate and Oil Platform During Night Attack in Black Sea, Military Command Reports

In a bold night operation on April 6, 2026, Ukrainian drones targeted the Russian frigate 'Admiral Makarov' in the port of Novorossiysk, as well as the oil platform 'Sivash' located west of the occupied Crimean Peninsula, according to the commander of the Drone Forces, Robert 'Magyar' Brovda.

Brovda reported that the frigate was struck during a massive attack, which also led to a renewed fire at the 'Sheskharis' oil terminal. Video footage released by 'Magyar' showcased the large vessel in the sights of an approaching Ukrainian long-range drone, although the video cut off before the target was reached.

Damage assessments of the frigate are currently ongoing, noted 'Magyar'. However, independent sources such as 'Kyiv Independent' have been unable to confirm the success of this strike.

A separate attack on the oil platform 'Sivash' was carried out by the 413th Drone Systems Regiment, commonly known as 'Raid'. This platform has become a target for Ukrainian drones, which are actively employed to strike Russian military assets in the Black Sea.

The 'Admiral Makarov' was laid down in 2012 and became the flagship of the Black Sea Fleet after its predecessor, the missile cruiser 'Moskva', was sunk following an unexpected Ukrainian missile strike in the spring of 2022. The 'Admiral Makarov' is a carrier of 'Kalibr' cruise missiles, which are regularly used to attack Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.

This vessel has repeatedly been targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes. One of the first such attacks in history was a massive air-naval strike on the occupied city of Sevastopol in October 2022. After assessments, the ship emerged from the attack with minor damage. However, following more frequent attacks by maritime drones throughout 2023, the Black Sea Fleet has largely been relocated to Novorossiysk.

Additionally, on March 6, Ukraine reported successful strikes on the 'Admiral Makarov', as well as another frigate, the 'Admiral Essen', although the final assessment of the damage remained uncertain. These events highlight the increasing activity of Ukrainian forces in the Black Sea and their ability to strike Russian military targets, despite the numerous challenges and risks associated with the ongoing war.