The Aryavarth Express
Kyiv, Ukraine: Ukrainian underwater drones have struck two tankers linked to Russia’s so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea, a Ukrainian security official confirmed, marking a significant escalation in Kyiv’s efforts to disrupt Moscow’s oil export routes, CNN reported.
Ukraine claimed responsibility for the attacks after explosions rocked the vessels on Friday and Saturday. According to a Ukrainian security source, Sea Baby maritime drones were deployed in a joint operation carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the Ukrainian Navy. Moscow has not issued an immediate response.
The Ukrainian official said both tankers suffered critical damage and were effectively taken out of service. “This will deal a significant blow to the transportation of Russian oil,” the source stated. Russia relies on hundreds of tankers—often sailing under foreign flags—to continue exporting oil despite international sanctions.
One of the targeted vessels, the Gambian-flagged tanker Virat, was hit twice—first on Friday and again on Saturday—according to Turkey’s Transport Ministry. Turkish authorities reported minor damage above the waterline and confirmed there was no fire on board. The ship was approximately 30 miles (50 km) off the Turkish coast, and tracking data showed it slowing down and turning toward land late Friday.
“There is no request from the personnel to abandon the ship,” Turkey’s transport ministry said, though a firefighting tugboat was dispatched to assist. Turkey’s foreign ministry later expressed concern, warning the attacks posed “serious risks to the safety of navigation, life, property, and the environment in the region.”
The Virat’s destination remained uncertain. Shipping data showed it awaiting orders somewhere in the Black Sea. The tanker had previously been sanctioned by the U.S., U.K., and EU under different names.
A second explosion on Friday struck the Gambian-flagged tanker Kairos, another vessel sanctioned for transporting Russian crude. The tanker sustained severe damage, prompting the evacuation of all 25 crew members. Footage showed Turkish tugs battling a large fire on the ship about 30 miles offshore. By Saturday, Turkish authorities confirmed the blaze on the open deck had been extinguished. The Kairos—275 meters long and nearly 80,000 tons—was sanctioned by the EU earlier this year.
Both tankers had recently transited the Bosphorus Strait into the Black Sea. Shipping data indicated that other sanctioned vessels carrying Russian oil were following similar routes.
Meanwhile, early Saturday, a marine drone attack struck a mooring point in Novorossiysk, according to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. The pipeline, which transports Kazakh oil through Russia to global markets, activated contingency plans to reroute exports. Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry condemned the incident as “yet another deliberate attack,” warning it undermined relations between Kazakhstan and Ukraine. It noted this was the third strike on a civilian facility protected under international law.
Novorossiysk has faced multiple Ukrainian drone attacks in recent months as Kyiv continues targeting Russia’s military and economic infrastructure.
