Ukrainian security sources report critical damage to Russian frigate Admiral Essen following strategic port strike

SBU sources confirm the Russian frigate Admiral Essen sustained critical damage in Novorossiysk, rendering it unable to fire Kalibr missiles at Ukraine.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 5, 2026, 8:36 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Interfax-Ukraine

Strategic Strike in Novorossiysk

The Security Service of Ukraine and national defense forces carried out a targeted operation against the Russian naval base in Novorossiysk during the early hours of March 2, 2026. Military sources briefed the media on Thursday regarding the specific results of the engagement, confirming that the frigate Admiral Essen was a primary target. The operation involved penetrating a dense, multi-layered air defense network protecting the bay, marking a significant breach of Russian coastal security protocols at one of its most critical maritime hubs.

Technical Damage Assessment

Details from security officials indicate that the strike successfully hit the mid-section superstructure of the frigate. The impact triggered secondary explosions of grenade launchers used for deploying thermal decoys and radio signal dispersers. These technical failures were compounded by the destruction of the TK-25 electronic warfare system, which is essential for detecting radar emissions and providing defensive jamming during active combat. The loss of these systems effectively strips the vessel of its primary automated defenses against incoming aerial and maritime threats.

Failure of Radar and Guidance Systems

Beyond structural damage, the ship’s sophisticated sensory equipment was heavily impacted by the strike. Reports suggest that the ZR-90 Orekh target illumination radars, which facilitate the guidance of the ship's air defense missile complex, were directly struck. Furthermore, the main Fregat-M2M surveillance radar, responsible for long-range detection of air and surface objects, sustained likely damage. The cumulative effect of these losses means the frigate can no longer effectively track targets or provide reliable air cover for its own operations.