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Russia lost two Kalibr missile carriers at once; Putin's Black Sea Fleet is sinking

Duration: 3:23 485 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

Recent satellite imagery and open-source intelligence reports indicate that the Russian Black Sea Fleet suffered a significant blow on August 12th when two of its frigates, the Admiral Makarov and the Admiral Essen, sustained serious damage during a strike on the Novorossiysk naval base. Analysis suggests that these vessels may have lost their primary offensive capability, as the launchers for the Kalibr cruise missiles were destroyed or severely compromised. Specifically, the Admiral Essen reportedly suffered a direct hit to its bow that deformed the deck and obliterated the eight-cell module of the UKSK-3S14 universal ship launcher, while the Admiral Makarov experienced an internal detonation in its vertical launchers due to damage to its combat information and control systems. The extent of this damage implies that both frigates will require extensive repairs that could keep them out of active service for at least a year, effectively removing two key platforms from the fleet's operational capacity. Ukrainian military officials, including the General Staff and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have officially confirmed the destruction of these ships, with Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk emphasizing that the loss of Kalibr missile carriers is a critical blow to Russia's ability to shell Ukrainian territory. Pletenchuk described these missile carriers as a persistent headache and the main target for Ukraine, noting that their continued use of Novorossiysk as a launch base has resulted in multiple attacks on Ukrainian soil over the past month. Beyond the immediate loss of firepower, the strike highlights the deteriorating operational environment for the Russian Navy in the Black Sea, where there are virtually no safe harbors left. Spokesman Pletenchuk explained that the fleet is now trapped in a difficult cycle: remaining in dry docks or at base makes the ships easy targets for precision strikes, while attempting to go out to sea exposes them to relentless drone attacks and naval mines like the Neptune system. This strategic paralysis means the Russian military can no longer effectively service or deploy its fleet, forcing it to remain stationary at bases where it struggles to survive against sustained aerial and maritime pressure. Ultimately, this situation marks a turning point where the Black Sea Fleet is increasingly confined to defensive postures, unable to project power or conduct offensive operations as it did previously.

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The Russian Black Sea Fleet frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen suffered serious damage during a strike on the Novorossiysk naval base on August 12th. OSINT website Absolutely Reliable Source published a satellite image showing damage to the launchers, suggesting that the frigates may have lost the ability to use the caliber missiles. According to Absolutely Reliable Source, the deck of the Admiral Essen was deformed as a result of a hit in the bow, and the eight-cell module of the UKSK-3S14 universal ship launcher, designed to launch caliber missiles, was destroyed. Military also reports damage to the combat information and control system Tribovik-M on the frigate Admiral Makarov, which is the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. The hit fell on the area of the vertical launchers. This caused an internal detonation and burnout of the UKSK-3S14 launchers. In addition, the ship suffered damage to the radar, electronic warfare, and communication systems. According to them, thus, the Russian Black Sea Fleet could lose two main carriers of the caliber missiles at once. If damage to the launchers is confirmed, both frigates will require extensive repairs, and their return to combat duty could take at least a year, they added. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially reported on the of the frigates on August 12th, and now the first information has appeared about the possible extent of the damage caused. Subsequently, the spokesman for the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dmytro Pletenchuk, stated that among the main destroyed targets in Novorossiysk were the carriers of the caliber missiles, which remain a serious threat to Ukraine. He claims that among the main targets destroyed in Novorossiysk are the carriers of the caliber missiles, which remain a serious threat to Ukraine. We can single out the main destroyed targets in Novorossiysk. These are the carriers of the caliber missiles. This is a headache and the main target because it is they who are still shelling the territory of Ukraine, Pletenchuk explained. According to him, the Russian military continues to use Novorossiysk as a base for strikes on Ukraine. Last month, there were three attacks from the base in Novorossiysk. And they need to be dug out directly from there because they no longer go to sea, the spokesman for the Ukrainian Navy added. Pletenchuk assured that there is virtually no safe place left in the Black Sea for the Russian fleet. An important component is that they cannot properly service their fleet. Because to stand somewhere in a dry dock or more for a long period is to immediately become a desirable easy target. Going out to sea means meeting drones, meeting the Neptunes, and more. Therefore, they have to sit at the base and try to survive there. There is no talk of the sea now. Unfortunately, aviation is still working there. >> [music] [music]