(KASPIYSK, DAGESTAN) – A Project 1161K Gepard class frigate of Russia’s Caspian Flotilla has sustained significant damage at its home base in Kaspiysk, satellite imagery has confirmed.
The imagery shows a large hole in the deck of the vessel, positioned just behind the smoke stack and near the mast. Analysis of the damage suggests a drone struck the ship’s anti-ship missile launchers, resulting in an explosion that blew a substantial hole through the deck. The extent of the damage below the deck line remains unclear. The vessel appears to have been moved to a floating dock, indicating the damage is serious and the ship may have been taking on water.
Anti-drone netting, which Russian forces have begun installing on warships, is visible covering the ship’s superstructure. This measure appears to have been ineffective against the attack. The Gepard class frigate is armed with Kalibr cruise missiles and a pair of launchers for anti-ship missiles. Russia has only two of these ships in service: the Tatarstan and the Dagestan. The launchers for the anti-ship missiles, positioned near where the damage occurred, were likely the target.
The Caspian Flotilla has now suffered losses to three of its 12 major warships, with two others damaged. Previous losses include two Bujan class corvettes destroyed, one Karakurt class corvette badly damaged with its radar dome blown off, and one Tarantul class corvette sunk by Ukraine.
The strike represents a continued loss of naval assets for Russia in a sea where Ukraine has no conventional naval presence.
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