Ukrainian Drones Strike Novorossiysk Overnight, Hitting Russian Black Sea Fleet Vessels

A Bold Nighttime Raid on Novorossiysk

According to ХВИЛЯ: Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces, known by the call sign Madyar, reported a successful nighttime raid on Novorossiysk carried out during the night of May 22–23, 2026. The operation targeted combat ships of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, including the Admiral Essen frigate (Project 11356) and a Project 1239 hovercraft missile ship. Ukraine's General Staff confirmed that the strikes ignited fires at the Sheskharis and Grushovaya Balka oil terminals-the latter being the largest petroleum storage facility in the Caucasus, holding 1.2 million tons of fuel.

Targets Hit and Operational Impact

The raid by the Unmanned Systems Forces' 'Birds' unit extended beyond the port of Novorossiysk to other key sites. The General Staff also recorded a strike on the shadow fleet tanker CHRYSALIS in the Black Sea. The extent of damage to the vessels has yet to be determined. Additionally, the drones hit:

• an Osa surface-to-air missile system
• a rear base and logistics hub of Russia's 6th Air Force and Air Defense Army in Rovenky
• a drone control center in Oleshky, Kherson region

In the temporarily occupied part of Zaporizhzhia, drones struck fuel tankers, specialized equipment, and armored fighting vehicles.

Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces Madyar stated: 'You're doomed to sink one day, scab-you can't hide!'

He added: 'More to come.' The affected targets include the Admiral Essen frigate, the hovercraft missile ship, the Grushovaya Balka oil storage facility, the Sheskharis terminal, the Osa air defense system, and other objectives across multiple regions, such as Novorossiysk, Donetsk, Rovenky, Oleshky, occupied parts of Zaporizhzhia, and the Black Sea.

This operation highlights the growing ability of Ukrainian drone forces to deliver significant blows against enemy military assets, carrying strategic weight in the course of the war. The raid's success could disrupt Russia's Black Sea Fleet logistics and combat readiness while boosting morale among Ukrainian troops amid the ongoing conflict. The use of advanced strike capabilities may shift the balance of power at sea and on land, opening new avenues for further Ukrainian offensives.

The recent raid on Novorossiysk is part of a broader strategy by Ukrainian forces to weaken Russian naval capabilities. Similar operations, such as the strike on Prymorsk, have demonstrated the effectiveness of targeted assaults on key maritime assets, further highlighting the ongoing conflict's intensity and the tactical prowess of Ukraine's drone units.