Ukrainian forces have conducted a series of large-scale attacks on Russian Black Sea Fleet assets in recent weeks, striking targets in both occupied Crimea and the Novorossiysk naval base in successive operations.
In February 2026, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence special unit “Prymary”—also known as the Ghosts—carried out a coordinated strike in occupied Crimea that hit multiple Russian military assets. The operation damaged a Project 22460 patrol ship, a Project 1496M1 sea tug, a Project 16640 vessel, and a BK-16 landing boat. Ukrainian forces also claimed hits on an S-400 radar installation, a Forpost reconnaissance UAV, and a Ka-27 helicopter. Ukrainian officials declared that “Crimea is no safe harbor for the occupiers.”
In February 2026, operators of @DI_Ukraine special unit “Prymary” (Ghosts) carried out a series of precise strikes against russian assets in temporarily occupied Crimea.
Among the targets hit:
• Project 22460 patrol ship
• S-400 radar
• Forpost UAV
• Project 1496M1 sea tug
•… pic.twitter.com/T4RTar8nDT
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU)
March 6, 2026Just weeks later, on the night of March 1-2, 2026, Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale drone attack against Novorossiysk, now the Black Sea Fleet’s primary operating base. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and Defense Forces confirmed the operation, which Russian sources said involved approximately 200 drones.
Three Russian warships sustained confirmed damage in the Novorossiysk strike. The minesweeper Valentin Pikul, a Project 266M vessel, reportedly suffered the most significant damage. Two Project 1124M Albatros-class anti-submarine ships, the Yeysk and the Kasimov, were also hit. Russian authorities reported three sailors killed and between 14 and 16 wounded.
Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces confirmed that two Russian Black Sea Fleet frigates, Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov, were damaged during a Ukrainian strike on the Russian naval base in Novorossiysk on March 2.
Joint satellite analysis by CyberBoroshno and Exilenova of Novorossiysk naval base shows probable damage to six Russian warships: frigates Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov, minesweepers Valentin Pikul and Ivan Golubets, corvettes Kasimov and Yeysk, and a Project 12700… pic.twitter.com/Eyv84vZV9M
— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports)
March 4, 2026
