(NOVOROSSIYSK, KRASNODAR KRAI) – New satellite imagery has confirmed that both Admiral Grigorovich class frigates of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are now out of action following a drone attack on the port of Novorossiysk on 12th August 2026.
The imagery reveals extensive damage to the Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov, both of which were struck during the assault. The Admiral Essen has sustained severe damage to its air defence missile tubes and its Kalibr/Oniks cruise missile launch tubes. The Admiral Makarov displays multiple hull breaches and damage to its Kalibr launch tubes. Additionally, the barrel of its main gun and a radome are missing.
An assessment accompanying the imagery states that both ships have lost their strike potential and combat control capabilities. The Admiral Essen was hit in the belt, leading to deformation of the deck and the destruction of the eight cell 3S14 module used for launching Kalibr missiles. The Triban MOS combat information and control system was also destroyed. The masts are assessed as destroyed, removing the antenna posts of the 3C25E observation radar, the TK25 electronic warfare complexes and the Centaur satellite communication domes.
The Admiral Makarov was hit in the vertical launch system, causing an internal detonation that burned out the Kalibr missile launch shafts. The ship also suffered destruction of its operating systems, including radar, electronic warfare and communication nodes.
The satellite imagery shows at least two drone strikes on the Admiral Essen, with burn marks visible and a small hole breach in the side of the ship. The primary damage is to the ship’s air defence missile tubes and the launch tubes for Kalibr and Oniks missiles. The vessel is unlikely to be able to launch missiles until repairs are completed.
The Admiral Makarov shows more serious damage, with at least three hull breaches visible. Two large holes are evident in the area of the Kalibr launch tubes, rendering them offline. A third breach occurred near the rear of the ship in an area containing multiple jammers and radars. The satellite communications radome has been destroyed, along with the laser warning receiver and jammer and the optronic jammer.
The damage to the main cannon of the Admiral Makarov cannot be definitively attributed to the attack. It is possible the barrel was removed for maintenance before the strike.
Neither ship shows evidence of internal detonation of missiles. The launch tubes appear to have been empty at the time of the strike, which likely prevented more catastrophic damage.
This confirms the damage to both ships is more severe than initially assessed. Since their primary purpose is to launch Kalibr cruise missiles at Ukraine, both are now considered out of action until repaired. Russia has historically struggled to repair damaged ships, with the intelligence ship hit by Storm Shadow in Sevastopol in 2023 still unrepaired almost three years later.
This attack brings the confirmed tally to three ships significantly damaged, as a Project 22160 vessel was also put out of action. A Kilo class submarine sustained a hole but may still be in service, as Russia reportedly only moves these vessels out of dock to fire missiles before returning them.
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