Russia-Ukraine War — 2026-04-07

Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Kalibr-Carrying Frigate Admiral Makarov in Novorossiysk Port

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces struck the Russian frigate Admiral Makarov, a Kalibr cruise missile carrier, in the port of Novorossiysk overnight April 5-6. The operation by the Ptakhy unit of the 1st Separate Centre was planned with Ukraine's Security Service. The frigate fired air defense missiles during the approach but failed to prevent the strike by FP-2 kamikaze drones. The operation also targeted the Sivash jack-up drilling rig in a joint strike with Ukrainian Navy deep-strike forces.

Analysis
Striking a Kalibr-carrier in port marks an evolution in Ukrainian deep-strike doctrine, moving from oil terminals and logistics nodes to high-value naval combatants. The Admiral Makarov class carries eight Kalibr cruise missiles used to strike Ukrainian cities. Eliminating these platforms reduces Russia's standoff strike capacity from the Black Sea, which Ukraine has systematically degraded since the Moskva sinking in 2022.

3 sources

Ukrainian drones strike Kalibr missile carrier in Russia's Novorossiysk - Ukrainska Pravda
Ukraine Nails Russian Missile Frigate in Novorossiysk Strike, Hits Black Sea Rig - Kyiv Post
Russia attacks Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa; Ukraine strikes key Russian ship - Washington Times