On the night of May 23, Ukrainian forces launched drone strikes against a naval base in Nоворосійськ, targeting two vessels of the Russian Black Sea Fleet: the frigate “Admiral Essen” and a hovercraft missile ship of project 1239.
According to reports from the Special Operations Forces (СБС), the frigate “Admiral Essen” of project 11356 was hit, along with the hovercraft missile ship. However, the extent of the damage to both vessels has not been specified.
“You are destined to sink someday; you cannot hide!” – wrote a member of the Ukrainian forces.
Additionally, two oil terminals in the Nоворосійськ area, “Sheskharis” and the “Grushova Balka” storage facility, were also struck. The latter is noted as the largest oil product storage facility in the Caucasus, with a capacity of 1.2 million tons.
The operation also targeted other locations that night, including a rear base and logistics hub of the 6th Army of the Russian Air Force and Air Defense in Rovenki, Luhansk region, a drone control point in Oleshky, Kherson region, as well as fuel tankers and armored vehicles in the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia region.
Furthermore, the Ukrainian forces reported the destruction of an “Osa” surface-to-air missile system in Donetsk.
The deep strike operations involved units of the Drone Forces, specifically the 414th separate brigade “Madyar’s Birds” and the 412th brigade “NEMESIS.”
It is noteworthy that on May 7, Ukrainian defense forces had previously targeted a small missile ship of project 22800 “Karakurt” at the “Kaspіysk” base in Dagestan. Earlier, on April 5, drones had also attacked Nоворосійськ, resulting in a fire at the “Sheskharis” terminal. Following that incident, Bloomberg reported that the terminal was inactive for five days, contributing to a significant decline in Russian oil maritime exports to their lowest level in eight months.
Ukrainian drone strikes on May 23 targeted a naval base in Nоворосійськ, hitting key Russian naval assets and oil facilities. This operation reflects ongoing military engagements between Ukraine and Russia, with implications for regional security and oil exports.