Ukraine Claims Strike on Russian Missile Carrier, Black Sea Rig Near Crimea

Ukraine has said it carried out a significant overnight attack targeting Russian naval and energy infrastructure, striking a missile-carrying warship in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and a drilling rig near occupied Crimea.

According to Ukrainian military officials, the operation was conducted using long-range drones and targeted the Russian frigate Admiral Makarov, a vessel capable of launching Kalibr cruise missiles. The strike reportedly hit the ship while it was stationed at the key port of Novorossiysk.

Ukraine’s drone forces commander said the same operation also struck a drilling platform in the Black Sea, identified in some reports as the Syvash rig, in a coordinated assault involving naval and security units.

The extent of damage to both the warship and the offshore installation remains unclear, and there has been no immediate confirmation from Russian authorities regarding the reported strike. However, earlier reports indicate that Russian air defences were activated during the attack but failed to fully repel the incoming drones.

The latest strike comes amid an escalation in Ukraine’s campaign targeting Russia’s Black Sea assets, including ports, oil terminals, and naval vessels. Ukrainian forces have increasingly relied on drone warfare to hit strategic infrastructure far from the frontline.

Separately, reports indicate that Ukrainian drone operations have also targeted Russian oil infrastructure in Novorossiysk, causing disruptions and fires, while Russia continues retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian cities.

The Black Sea region remains a critical battleground in the war, with both sides seeking to weaken each other’s military and economic capabilities through long-range strikes.