Ukraine targets Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers with underwater drones in Black Sea

Ukrainian underwater drones have targeted two tankers from Russias so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea, according to a source from Ukraines security services (SBU). The strikes occurred on Friday and Saturday, resulting in explosions on both vessels.

A Ukrainian security official told CNN that Sea Baby maritime drones were deployed in a coordinated operation involving the SBU and the Ukrainian navy. Russia has not issued an immediate response.

Both tankers suffered severe damage, rendering them non-operational. This will significantly impact the transportation of Russian oil, the source noted. Russia relies on hundreds of tankers, often registered under flags of convenience, to deliver oil despite international sanctions.

The Gambian-flagged tanker Virat was struck again on Saturday after initial damage on Friday, according to Turkeys Transport Ministry. The damage was mostly above the waterline, and no fire was reported. The vessel is located roughly 30 miles (50 kilometers) off the Turkish coast. Ship tracking indicated it slowed and turned toward the coast late Friday. The Turkish Transport Ministry confirmed there was no request from the crew to abandon ship, though a firefighting tugboat was dispatched.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed concern over the attacks, citing serious risks to navigation safety, human life, property, and the environment in the region. The Virats destination remains uncertain; shipping data indicated it was awaiting orders in the Black Sea. The tanker had previously been sanctioned by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union under different names.

Another vessel, the Gambian-flagged Kairos, carrying Russian crude oil, also experienced an explosion on Friday. All 25 crew members were safely evacuated. Both ships were outside Turkish waters during the incidents. Video footage showed Turkish tugs responding to a large fire aboard the Kairos about 30 miles from the Turkish coast. By Saturday, the Turkish Transport Ministry confirmed the fire on the Kaiross open deck had been extinguished.

The Kairos is approximately 275 meters long, weighs nearly 80,000 tons, and was previously sanctioned by the EU. It had departed an Indian port earlier this month, bound for Russias Black Sea port of Novorossiysk. Earlier in the year, multiple unexplained explosions occurred on vessels transporting Russian oil from the Black Sea. Both the Virat and the Kairos had passed through the Bosphorus Strait into the Black Sea. Other sanctioned ships carrying Russian crude were following similar routes, according to shipping data.

Additionally, early Saturday, a marine drone struck a mooring point in Novorossiysk, as reported by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. The pipeline transports oil from Kazakhstan through Russia to international markets. Kazakhstans energy ministry announced a plan to reroute export oil through alternative channels, while the foreign affairs ministry condemned the attack as a deliberate act against civilian infrastructure, emphasizing its negative impact on relations with Ukraine. Spokesperson Aibek Smadiyarov stated, This incident marks the third act of aggression against an exclusively civilian facility whose operation is safeguarded by international law.

Novorossiysk has experienced multiple Ukrainian drone attacks in recent months. CNN has reached out to Ukraines security services for comment.

Author: Sophia Brooks