Ukraine has achieved what was previously considered impossible even in military theory: a state without a large navy has effectively defeated an aggressor in a maritime zone it considered its “home waters.”
The Russian fleet has lost its offensive capability and is now forced to fight for its own survival. In particular, as of early 2026, about 30% of the combat strength of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has been lost or seriously damaged.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense recalls Russia’s largest ship losses and how the Defense Forces have turned the Black and Azov Seas into a high-risk zone for any Russian-flagged military vessel.
Large landing ship “Saratov” March 25, 2022
The Russian ship was destroyed in the port of temporarily occupied Berdiansk. The strike was carried out using a Tochka-U ballistic missile, marking a rare case of a land-based missile being used against a naval target in a port. Alongside it, two more ships — “Novocherkassk” and “Caesar Kunikov” — were damaged; they managed to leave the pier with fires on board.
This is the first large-scale loss of the Russian fleet. Thanks to the strike on the Saratov, the Russian forces plans to land an amphibious assault in southern Ukraine were disrupted.
Missile cruiser Moskva April 13, 2022
The flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet was attacked by Ukrainian anti-ship missiles “Neptune” near Zmiinyi (Snake) Island. Despite crew attempts to control damage, the cruiser sank the next day while being towed to Sevastopol. This is the most expensive loss for the Russian army. Moskva provided air defense cover for the naval group in the Black Sea using its S-300F system. Without this “umbrella,” Russian ships became vulnerable to aviation and drones, which ultimately led to the liberation of Zmiinyi Island and the opening of the “grain corridor.” It was also the first case since 1982 in which a ship of this class was sunk.
Landing craft project “Serna” and assault boats “Raptor” May 7, 2022
A group of vessels was struck near Zmiinyi Island using Bayraktar TB2 strike drones. This was a series of precise strikes: first, a Project 11770 “Serna” landing craft was destroyed while attempting to deliver a Tor air defense system to the island. At the same time, two Project 03160 “Raptor” assault boats were hit while maneuvering near the pier.
The destruction of the Serna together with the Tor system deprived the Russian garrison on Zmiinyi Island of air defense, while the loss of fast “Raptor” boats eliminated the ability to quickly evacuate personnel or deliver reinforcements.
Logistics vessel Vsevolod Bobrov May 12, 2022
The Project 23120 vessel, one of the newest in the Russian fleet (commissioned in 2021), was hit near Zmiinyi Island. A large fire broke out on board as a result of the strike by Ukrainian weapons. Although the ship remained afloat and was later towed to Sevastopol, it suffered serious structural damage and damage to expensive equipment, putting it out of service for a long time.
Vsevolod Bobrov served as a multifunctional support ship. Its damage significantly complicated Russia’s ability to deliver air defense systems and heavy equipment to Zmiinyi Island.
Tug Spasatel Vasily Bekh June 17, 2022
The Ukrainian Armed Forces struck the Russian vessel with missiles while it was transporting ammunition, weapons, and personnel to Zmiinyi Island. The ship carried a Tor air defense system that failed to intercept the incoming low-altitude missiles. This became the first successful use of Western anti-ship missiles since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The destruction of Vasily Bekh cut off the Russian logistics routes to Zmiinyi Island. After realizing that any supply ship would be destroyed on approach, Russian forces were forced to withdraw from the island, freeing the northwestern Black Sea from their constant presence.
Patrol ship Admiral Makarov October 29, 2022 and April 6, 2026
The first damage to the frigate occurred during a historic drone attack on Sevastopol Bay in October 2022. Admiral Makarov, which at the time functioned as the de facto flagship after the sinking of Moskva, suffered hull and radar damage.
The second incident in April 2026 resulted from a massive combined strike on Novorossiysk, where the frigate sustained critical damage to its superstructure and Kalibr missile launchers. Admiral Makarov is one of Russia’s most advanced Black Sea ships, equipped with “Shtil-1” and “Kalibr” systems.
Minesweeper Ivan Golubets October 29, 2022
The Project 266M ship was also hit during the first mass Ukrainian naval drone attack on Sevastopol Bay. A direct hit caused fire onboard.
In addition to hull damage, specialized radar and minesweeping equipment was severely damaged, rendering the ship non-operational for a long period.
The disabling of the minesweeper weakened the Russia’s ability to clear paths for missile carriers, marking the first step toward a maritime blockade of the Russian fleet by its own fear of drones.
Large landing ship Olenegorsky Gornyak August 4, 2023
The ship was attacked by a surface drone in Novorossiysk Bay. This was the first successful Ukrainian drone operation at such a distance from the controlled coastline—over 700 km.
A significant list to port was recorded, indicating flooding in internal compartments due to a breach near the engine room. The operation forced Russia to rethink its entire protection system for key naval bases and significantly complicated the use of large vessels for transporting military cargo to Crimea.
Submarine Rostov-on-Don and landing ship Minsk September 13, 2023
Both vessels were struck by missiles while in dry dock at the Sevmorzavod shipyard in Sevastopol. As a result of the strikes and fire, Minsk suffered critical damage to its superstructure and internal compartments, making repair economically unjustified.
The submarine received two direct hits that penetrated its strong hull. As B-237 Rostov-on-Don was a carrier of Kalibr missiles, its disablement reduced Russia’s strike capability. The successful strike on a heavily protected base in Sevastopol forced Russia to relocate its fleet to Novorossiysk, significantly complicating logistics.
Patrol ship Pavel Derzhavin October 11 and October 13, 2023
The Project 22160 vessel struck a naval mine in Sevastopol’s outer roadstead during patrol operations.
Two days later, while attempting to leave the harbor, it was hit again by a naval drone attack, forcing it into long-term repairs.
This was one of the first successful examples of “remote mining” and combined operations.
Small missile ship Project “Buyan-M” October 13, 2023
The vessel was hit using experimental-armed naval drones while attempting to leave harbor following earlier explosions in the area.
This resulted in another Kalibr missile carrier being disabled. Buyan-M class ships are among the most active platforms used in missile strikes against Ukraine.
Missile corvette Askold November 4, 2023
A newly built Project “Karakurt” missile ship capable of carrying eight Kalibr missiles was struck by missiles at the Zaliv shipyard in Kerch. The ship had not yet been officially commissioned. Post-strike images showed severe damage to the central hull and launch systems. The attack demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to reach targets in the most remote part of Crimea—Kerch.
Fast landing boats “Serna” and “Akula” November 10, 2023
During a night operation near Vuzka Bay (occupied Crimea), two Russian landing craft were hit—one “Serna” (Project 11770) and one “Akula” (Project 1176). The attack was carried out by naval drones that penetrated barrier defenses and struck vessels at the pier.
Both boats were loaded with armored vehicles, including BTR-82s, which sank with them.
Large landing ship Novocherkassk December 26, 2023
The ship was struck by cruise missiles in the port of Feodosia. A massive explosion indicated secondary detonation of cargo, possibly including Shahed drones. The vessel almost completely sank.
After its loss, Russia largely stopped using large landing ships for their intended role due to fear of further port attacks in Crimea.
Missile boat Ivanovets January 31, 2024
The Project 12411 “Molniya” missile boat was destroyed at Donuzlav Lake in western Crimea using naval drones. Multiple drone strikes immobilized it, followed by hits that detonated Moskit anti-ship missiles onboard. The ship capsized and sank completely.
Large landing ship Caesar Kunikov February 14, 2024
The Project 775 vessel was destroyed in Ukrainian territorial waters near Alupka using a swarm of naval drones. It capsized and sank after hull breaches.
Patrol ship Sergey Kotov March 5, 2024
One of the most modern Russian Black Sea Fleet ships was attacked by a swarm of naval drones near the Kerch Strait. After multiple hits, it suffered critical damage and sank.
Landing ships Yamal and Azov, reconnaissance ship Ivan Khurs March 24, 2024
A combined strike in Sevastopol damaged two Project 775 landing ships and hit the reconnaissance ship Ivan Khurs, damaging its systems.
Rescue ship Kommunа April 21, 2024
A strike damaged this historic 1913 vessel in Sevastopol Bay, affecting its deep-sea recovery systems.
Minesweeper Kovrovets May 19, 2024
Destroyed during a night strike in Sevastopol.
Missile ship Tsiklon May 19, 2024
A Karakurt-class missile ship was destroyed in Sevastopol. Satellite images confirmed sinking.
Railway ferry Conro Trade August 22, 2024
Struck at Port Kavkaz. A fire and explosions caused it to capsize and sink.
Landing craft BK-16 and “Raptor” April 1, 2025
Destroyed near occupied Crimea during a coordinated drone attack.
Small missile ship Project “Buyan-M” August 28, 2025
Hit by autonomous underwater drones near Novorossiysk, losing propulsion.
Varshavyanka-class submarine December 15, 2025
Damaged near Sevastopol during a combined drone strike.
Minesweeper Valentin Pikul, ASW ships Yeysk and Kasimov March 2, 2026
A large-scale drone strike on Novorossiysk resulted in the sinking of Valentin Pikul and heavy damage to the other two vessels.
