Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck four Russian warships during an overnight operation at the Novorossiysk naval base in Russia’s Krasnodar region.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) confirmed that the strikes were part of a joint operation carried out on the night of Wednesday, Aug. 12.
According to preliminary data, damage of varying degrees was caused to two Project 11356 frigates, “Admiral Makarov” and “Admiral Essen”, as well as the Project 21631 small missile ship “Buyan-M” and the Project 22160 patrol ship “Vasily Bykov.”
“Ukraine’s Defense Forces are consistently reducing the Russian Federation’s capacity to continue its armed aggression,” the General Staff said in its statement, adding that further details would follow.
Damage assessment still underway
The General Staff reported that each vessel is still being inspected, with the full extent of damage not yet disclosed.
According to Ukrainska Pravda, a 30N6E radar was also hit, which is part of an S-300 surface-to-air missile system.
Additionally, a mobile fire team was struck on pier No. 2, alongside the tunnel portal of the Hrushova oil depot leading to the Sheskharis terminal. Infrastructure at piers No. 3, No. 6 and No. 7 was also damaged.
Earlier on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine struck the naval base in Novorossiysk with domestically made Palianytsia drones and Neptune missiles.
The naval base sits on the Black Sea, more than 300 kilometers (roughly 186 miles) from the frontline. Zelensky said the country’s defense forces had conducted what he called a “unique operation.”
Emergency declared in Novorossiysk following the strikes
Russian authorities declared an emergency following a large-scale Ukrainian attack that damaged infrastructure, disrupted the water supply, and sparked multiple fires.Novorossiysk Mayor Andrei Kravchenko announced the measure after authorities lifted a drone alert that had remained in effect overnight.
The attack ruptured two major water pipelines, forcing authorities to suspend water supplies to the city, according to the mayor. He also reported multiple fires but did not disclose the full extent of the damage.