Suspected Ukrainian strike leaves sanctioned oil tanker stranded off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast

SOFIA, Bulgaria Bulgarian authorities have begun operations to evacuate the crew of the oil tanker Kairos, which is currently stranded near the port of Ahtopol in the Black Sea. The vessel is believed to be part of Russias shadow fleet, used to bypass international sanctions linked to the conflict in Ukraine.

Last week, the 274-meter Gambian-flagged tanker caught fire after a suspected strike involving Ukrainian naval drones near the Turkish coast. The Kairos was traveling empty from Egypt toward Russias Novorossiysk port at the time. The 149,000-ton ship, constructed in 2002, previously sailed under Panamanian, Greek, and Liberian flags. It was sanctioned by the European Union in July, with the U.K. and Switzerland following suit.

On Friday, the tanker entered Bulgarian waters under tow from a Turkish vessel, but the towing operation was abruptly halted. The ship was left adrift without power, ultimately grounding less than a nautical mile from shore.

Rumen Nikolov, head of rescue operations at the Bulgarian Maritime Agency, stated that authorities need to clarify through diplomatic channels why the vessel entered Bulgarias territorial waters. He confirmed that the empty tanker remains stable despite adverse weather, and there is no immediate risk to the crew or the environment. All ten crew members, of various nationalities, are reported to be in good condition with sufficient food and water for about three days. Nikolov added that the vessel will be towed to a safe location once weather conditions improve.

Anton Zlatanov, head of border police, reported to Nova TV that communication with the crew has been established. The crew has anchored the ship and remains compliant with instructions. While they have requested evacuation, authorities are prioritizing safety in the operation. Zlatanov noted that the tanker is being closely monitored using shore-based thermal cameras, radar, and radio communication, maintaining contact with the crew throughout the situation.

Author: Gavin Porter