Ukraine strikes Russian missile ship Naro-Fominsk in Gulf of Finland
Ukraine launched a reported drone strike against a Russian Kalibr-armed warship in the Gulf of Finland during an overnight operation.
Ukraine struck a Russian warship in the Gulf of Finland during an overnight drone operation targeting military and oil infrastructure, according to the Security Service of Ukraine. The targeted vessel was identified as the Naro-Fominsk, a Buyan-M-class missile corvette belonging to Russia's Baltic Fleet.
Finnish defence officials confirmed detecting an explosion aboard a Russian warship in international waters near Gogland Island. Brig. Gen. Markku Viitasaari of Finland’s Defence Ministry told the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that Finnish surveillance systems recorded flashes and smoke from the vessel.
Media additions
Estonian Defence Minister Martin Herem told public broadcaster ERR that the explosion occurred at about 05:30 local time on Wednesday. Herem stated that smoke was seen coming from the ship afterward and that the vessel headed back toward St. Petersburg.
"We know that smoke came from the ship afterward. The vessel itself headed back toward St. Petersburg."
Martin Herem, Estonian Defence Minister, via ERR
Despite these accounts, Estonian officials stressed that Estonia could not independently confirm whether the explosion resulted from a Ukrainian attack or an accident. Finnish authorities initially believed the ship might have been firing at incoming drones, but subsequent sensor data indicated at least one explosion occurred aboard the warship.
Significance of the operation
Defence analysts noted that previous Ukrainian operations against Russia’s Baltic Fleet had primarily targeted vessels undergoing repairs, construction, or maintenance at naval bases and shipyards. By contrast, the Naro-Fominsk was reportedly conducting operational duties at sea when it was attacked, marking a notable development in Kyiv's naval campaign.
The *Naro-Fominsk* is equipped to carry Kalibr and Oniks cruise missiles, which Russian forces have used in strikes against Ukraine. The Security Service of Ukraine did not specify the exact location of the strike or disclose how severely the vessel was damaged, and casualty numbers remain unconfirmed. Ukrainian OSINT community Exilenova+ reported potential casualties among the crew, though that claim has not been independently verified.
Military analyst Emil Kastehelmi, co-founder of the Black Bird monitoring group, told the BBC that the Baltic Sea fleet had previously remained untouched, stating that Ukraine utilized a perceived window of opportunity. Kastehelmi added that he did not view the strike as a serious escalation, despite its unprecedented nature.
Wider drone raids and regional impact
The operation on Wednesday coincided with broader Ukrainian drone attacks on the Russian oil-export hub of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region. Ukraine’s General Staff reported damage to five oil storage tanks and processing facilities at the port. Russian authorities acknowledged the drone attacks, confirming that three workers were injured, though Moscow did not publicly comment on the reported strike against the warship.
Herem reported that Ukrainian drones attacked the Ust-Luga region from midnight until approximately 06:00, mostly flying close to the Estonian border while remaining within Russian airspace. According to Herem, one drone briefly entered Estonian airspace from Latvia before heading toward Russia, while NATO aircraft based in the Baltic states were airborne but not utilized to destroy the drones due to safety assessments.
Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tykhyy dismissed Moscow's allegations that Kyiv used Baltic state airspace to attack Russia as baseless, while acknowledging that diversion incidents can occur when Russia employs electronic warfare against drones.
As a precautionary measure, the Finnish Defence Forces imposed temporary restrictions on maritime areas and airspace in the eastern Gulf of Finland early on Wednesday. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen maintained that the Baltic Sea remained stable and safe, with no threat to marine traffic.
Previous actions in the Baltic
| Date | Target | Location | Nature of attack |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Buyan-M missile ship Serpukhov; Alexandrit-class minesweeper Aleksandr Obukhov | Baltiysk naval base, Kaliningrad region | Sabotage operations by Ukrainian military intelligence |
| March 2026 | Project 23550 patrol icebreaker Purga | Vyborg Shipyard, Leningrad region | Struck while under construction; left partially submerged |
| June 2026 | Steregushchiy-class corvette Boykiy | Kronstadt Naval Plant | Targeted while undergoing repairs in dry dock; extensive fire damage |
| November 2026 | Buyan-M-class missile corvette Naro-Fominsk | Gulf of Finland, near Gogland Island | Drone strike while vessel was at sea on operational duties |
Defence officials highlighted that the Gulf of Finland is a narrow waterway shared by oil tankers, civilian shipping, and subsea data cables, distinguishing the incident from naval clashes in the Black Sea.
What to watch next
- Whether Moscow formally acknowledges any damage sustained by the Naro-Fominsk or releases casualty figures.
- Whether the warship undergoes extended repairs at Kronstadt or returns directly to active service.
- Whether Finnish or Estonian authorities introduce permanent maritime or airspace restrictions in the eastern Gulf of Finland.
- Whether Ukrainian forces pursue further naval strikes against operating Russian assets in the Baltic Sea.
