Ukraine hits Russian Black Sea Fleet in coordinated strike, Zelenskyy reveals details

Ukraine has successfully struck at the heart of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealing details of a coordinated assault on the Novorossiysk port. At least four Russian warships were hit in the operation, which Zelenskyy described as a "combined use of our weapons within long-range strikes."

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It was a combined use of our weapons within long-range strikes. The operation was successful. I am grateful to the soldiers for their precision, and to the designers and manufacturers of our weapons for significantly increasing Ukrainian capabilities.

Zelenskyy lauded the precision of his soldiers and the advancements in Ukrainian weaponry, noting the successful outcome of the operation. The port of Novorossiysk serves as the primary base for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Russia relocated most of its fleet from Sevastopol in occupied Crimea to Novorossiysk in 2022, fearing Ukrainian missile and drone attacks, including those using naval drones.

This significant strike reportedly involved a coordinated deployment of long-range missiles, aerial drones, and naval drones for the first time. Zelenskyy identified specific Ukrainian weapons used, including Palianytsia, Kh-22, Bars, and Neptune missiles, along with MICH, Fire Point, Ramzaj, Sich, Trast, Khariok, Bobr, Lyutyi, and Dowbush drones, and Sarhan and Mamai naval drones. He confirmed that the Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov frigates, a large landing ship, a corvette, and other vessels were among those hit in the Novorossiysk bay.

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Among the results of the operation, it is worth highlighting the hits on Russian fleet ships that were hiding in the Novorossiysk bay. According to verified data, the Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov frigates, a large landing ship, a corvette, and other units were hit.

Zelenskyy asserted that Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory are justified and vowed to continue degrading Russia's war capabilities. "We will compel Russia to make peace also through further use of our long- and medium-range strike means," he stated, indicating that priorities for future actions have been set with military and security officials. Meanwhile, authorities in Russia's Krasnodar region reported two civilian deaths, including a child, and over a dozen injuries from drone attacks on civilian and industrial facilities in the area, without mentioning military targets.

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We will compel Russia to make peace also through further use of our long- and medium-range strike means. Today, together with the Minister of Defense, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Commander of the Drone Systems Forces, and representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine, we have determined the priorities for the near future.