SSU reveals attack on Novorossiysk port: Russian frigate can no longer fire Kalibr missiles

This was reported to Ukrinform by a source in the SSU. 

The special service confirmed that during the attack on the port of Novorossiysk on the night of March 2, the SSU, together with the Defense Forces, struck the frigate Admiral Essen, which carried eight Kalibr cruise missiles. The strike hit the ship's midship superstructure. As a result, grenade launchers firing heat traps and radio signal diffusers exploded.

Illustration provided by the SSU 

The TK-25 electronic warfare system, which detects radar emissions and creates interference, was also damaged; the ZR-90 Orekh target illumination radars, which are part of the ship's anti-aircraft missile guidance system, were hit; The main Fregat-M2M surveillance radar, which is responsible for long-range detection of air and surface targets, was probably damaged. 

During the operation, the SSU broke through the dense and multi-level enemy air defense system around Novorossiysk Bay and the port. The fire on the deck lasted about 18 hours, which indicates serious internal damage and complicated the work of emergency teams, the source said. 

The ship sustained critical damage, which significantly limits its ability to use Kalibr cruise missiles. Currently, the frigate cannot strike targets on Ukrainian territory. 

As reported, on the night of March 2, the SSU, together with the Defense Forces, struck the naval minesweeper Valentin Pikul. The anti-submarine ships Yeysk and Kasimov also suffered serious damage.

The first photo is illustrative