She was one of three ships to be struck by Japanese torpedoes in the surprise attack on the night of 8/9 February 1904. "Tsesarevich" was hit abaft the portside torpedo bulkhead and the ship took on an 18° list that was partially corrected by counterflooding compartments on the starboard side. She got underway, but ran aground at the narrow harbor entrance. She was refloated and moved into the harbour for repairs that lasted until 7 June. Some of the ship's guns were removed during the summer to reinforce the defenses of the port. "Tsesarevich" lost a total of four 75-millimetre, two 47-millimetre and two 37-millimetre guns. The ship was hit twice on 7 August by Japanese shells fired at long range; a fragment from one of them lightly wounded Vitgeft.