Ukrainian strikes on the Russian Black Sea Fleet in September 2023, including attacks on its headquarters, caused severe but localized physical damage. The fleet withdrew most of its ships from Crimea as a result.

Ukrainian strikes on the Russian Black Sea Fleet in September were more devastating and better coordinated than others so far in this war. The physical damage was almost certainly severe, but localised, leading to Russia withdrawing most of its fleet from Crimea.

The fleet almost certainly remains capable of carrying out its main wartime tasks of striking with cruise missiles and patrolling the area, but its ability to continue broader regional patrols and enforce a de facto blockade of Ukrainian ports is likely to decline.

Its ability to protect its facilities and conduct weekly maintenance has deteriorated.

The Kremlin reframed the degradation and expulsion of the Black Sea fleet from Crimea as a success.

The Russian MoD claimed on Thursday that its air defenses shot down a Ukrainian missile targeting Russian rear positions in occupied Crimea on Wednesday night. Russian milbloggers claimed instead that what Russian forces intercepted was a Ukrainian drone near Feodosia.

In September 2023, the airbase was hit by a combined attack of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and Neptune missiles