Long Neptune Strike: Ukraine’s New Cruise Missile Cripples Russian Warships in Novorossiysk

Ukrainian naval forces struck Russia's Black Sea Fleet at Novorossiysk on September 9 with Long Neptune cruise missiles, hitting the frigates Admiral Essen and Admiral Makarov and a Project 21631 Buyan-M corvette. Satellite imagery indicated severe fire and structural damage aft on the corvette, including around its vertical-launch cells, while both Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates showed moderate-to-severe damage near their forward launch cells and superstructures. The observed damage could prevent the frigates from using surface-to-air and surface-to-surface weapons until repairs are completed. The assessment is based on official Ukrainian claims and subsequent visual evidence rather than a Russian damage statement.