Russia Navy Admiral Essen Damaged

Damaged on the night of 12 August 2026 in the combined Ukrainian strike on the Novorossiysk naval base, carried out with Neptune anti-ship missiles, Palianytsia strike drones and naval drones. OSINT analysis of satellite imagery by Exilenova+ and CyberBoroshno reported structural damage in the area housing the frigate's Kalibr cruise missile launchers. An assessment of Vantor imagery published on 13 August rated the damage to both Grigorovich-class frigates moderate but concentrated on the forward vertical launch cell banks, severe enough to disable them and strip the ships of their missile armament pending repair. The hit was the ship's third of 2026, following strikes on 2 March and 6 April that had already damaged the superstructure and bow section, and no Russian statement was issued.