Ukraine reported using sea drones to target two oil tankers belonging to Russia’s sanctioned shadow fleet near the Turkish coast. The vessels, Gambian-flagged Kairos and Virat, experienced explosions on Friday evening following the strikes confirmed by their crews to Turkish authorities.
Kairos, en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk, caught fire, leading to the safe evacuation of its 25 crew members. Virat sustained minor damage from two hits and had no crude oil cargo at the time. Turkey’s transport and infrastructure minister, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, stated that the incidents occurred within the country’s exclusive economic zone, with measures taken to prevent future occurrences and ensure safe navigation.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) claimed responsibility for the attacks, carried out in collaboration with the Ukrainian navy using specialized “sea baby” drones equipped with reinforced warheads. Both ships had been sanctioned by the U.K. and the EU, with Canada also sanctioning Virat.
Despite Western sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet, these vessels persist in transporting Russian crude, bolstering Moscow’s economy and supporting its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The proliferation of the shadow fleet, characterized by older vessels that frequently change names and registration countries, poses challenges for enforcement efforts. Recent tensions in the Black Sea stem from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent attacks on merchant ships and ports.
Ukraine’s recent strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, including Novorossiysk port and the Afipsky oil refinery, have escalated hostilities. Concurrently, Russia’s missile and drone attacks on Ukraine have resulted in casualties. The attack on Novorossiysk damaged the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s mooring point, impacting the transportation of crude from western Kazakhstan to the Black Sea.
The ongoing conflict highlights the complexities and consequences of the escalating situation between Ukraine and Russia.
