Ukrainian Forces Strike Five Russian Vessels in Novorossiysk, Including Kalibr Missile Carrier

Combined Assault on Naval Base

According to ХВИЛЯ: In a combined operation on the night of March 2, Ukrainian defense forces targeted the Russian Federation's naval base in Novorossiysk. The strike successfully hit five Russian military vessels, which included:

• The minesweeper Valentin Pikul,
• The small anti-submarine ships Yeysk and Kasimov,
• An Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate, a platform capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles.

The operation involved a fleet of no fewer than 200 attack drones. This attack is part of Ukraine's ongoing campaign to degrade Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which has been a critical instrument in the wider invasion.

Beyond the warships, the assault also damaged the Sheskharis oil terminal, disabling its oil-loading berths. A radar station belonging to an S-400 air defense complex was destroyed. Russian military personnel casualties were reported as three killed and sixteen wounded.

Further Details on the Attack

According to the monitoring group Crimean Wind and the Telegram channel Spy Dossier, five military ships in the port sustained damage, with one-likely the minesweeper Valentin Pikul-suffering significant harm. Ukraine's General Staff stated that 'systematic steps to weaken the offensive capabilities and reduce the military-economic potential of the Russian aggressor will continue.'

Among other infrastructure targets mentioned was the Albashneft oil refinery, struck on February 28, 2026, which resulted in the destruction of four RVS-5000 reservoirs and damage to three storage tanks and pipelines. These actions underscore the Ukrainian military's focus on crippling key logistical and military resources. The use of massed drone swarms represents a significant evolution in asymmetric warfare tactics against a larger conventional force.

The Novorossiysk raid forms a key part of Ukraine's broader strategy to diminish Russia's military dominance in the Black Sea region. By targeting warships and supporting infrastructure, these operations leverage unmanned technology to execute strategic objectives, potentially altering the regional balance of power and shaping the future course of the conflict.