Two Kalibr-carrying frigates, a missile ship, a patrol vessel: Ukraine hit four Russian warships in one night at Novorossiysk

On the night of August 12, 2026, Ukrainian forces launched a joint operation targeting a naval base in Novorossiysk, Russia's Krasnodar Krai. This strategic move aimed at striking Russia's main Black Sea naval base, which had become their refuge after Ukrainian forces drove the fleet out of Sevastopol in Crimea. The targeted ships were a combination of advanced surface combatants, a missile ship, and a patrol vessel.

Among the vessels hit were two Project 11356 frigates, Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, both newly acquired and capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles at Ukraine. Additionally, the Buyan-M, another Kalibr shooter, was hit, along with a Project 21631 small missile ship and a patrol ship of the same class that Ukraine had previously targeted.

The total damage to the naval base is still under assessment, but the strike dealt significant hits to both major missile-carrying combatants and a patrol vessel. This bold move extends Ukraine's campaign to push Russia's fleet eastward and out of action, effectively rendering Russia's naval harbors safe, as they now hold no safe waters.

Ukraine's Defense Forces stated their consistent efforts to reduce Russia's capacity to continue its armed aggression, with the naval strike being a direct form of that pressure.