Ukraine Strikes Russian Missile Frigate in Novorossiysk, Hitting Black Sea Platform

On Monday morning, April 6, Ukrainian drone systems executed a significant strike against the Russian frigate 'Admiral Makarov', a carrier of Kalibr cruise missiles, in the port of Novorossiysk. This port currently serves as a base for the remaining elements of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The operation was confirmed by Robert Brovdi, the commander of the Ukrainian drone forces.

Brovdi specified that the drones successfully hit the frigate 'Admiral Makarov' in Novorossiysk and effectively targeted the drilling platform 'Sivash'. He added that during the attack, the frigate launched missiles for air defense; however, these attempts were unsuccessful in preventing the drones from striking the vessel. An assessment of the damage inflicted is currently underway.

According to Brovdi, the operation was conducted by Ukrainian drone forces and coordinated with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). He noted that the self-elevating drilling platform 'Sivash' in the Black Sea was also hit as part of a joint operation involving the drone units and the Ukrainian Navy.

Initial reports from Brovdi mistakenly identified the target as 'Admiral Grigorovich', but this was later corrected to 'Admiral Makarov'. The open-source intelligence group 'CyberBoroshno' had previously suggested that 'Admiral Grigorovich' was not in Novorossiysk, as it is believed to be operating in the Mediterranean Sea. The group assessed that either 'Admiral Makarov' or 'Admiral Essen'—both frigates of project 11356—were likely targets.

Following the attack, a video lasting over two minutes was released, purportedly showing the moment of impact on the frigate, as well as the primary and secondary damages to the 'Sivash' platform. Kyiv Post was unable to independently verify the time or location of the footage.

Additionally, Ukrainian long-range forces carried out a significant night attack from Sunday to Monday on the largest crude oil loading terminal for Russia in the Black Sea, located in the port of Novorossiysk. This attack is part of Ukraine's efforts to enhance its military operations in the region and demonstrated the capabilities of Ukrainian forces to strike strategically important enemy assets.