Ukrainian naval drones reportedly targeted two Russian oil tankers in the Black Sea, in what Kyiv described as a strike against Russian oil export operations. The incident has drawn condemnation from Turkey, which stated the attacks occurred within its exclusive economic zone.
According to a source within the Security Service of Ukraine, the drones struck the tankers, identified as the Kairu and Vera, as they were en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk to load oil destined for international markets. Video footage purportedly shows the drones approaching the tankers, followed by significant explosions and fires erupting onboard. Ukrainian officials claim the vessels are now out of service, representing a major blow to Russian oil transportation capabilities.
Ukraine has intensified its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure in recent months, targeting refineries and supply lines with long-range drones. Kyiv asserts these attacks are part of an effort to disrupt what it calls Russia’s ‘shadow fleet,’ a network of hundreds of older, often unregistered vessels allegedly used to enable Moscow to export oil and circumvent Western sanctions imposed since the full-scale invasion in 2022.
Data from London exchanges indicates that both the Kairu and Vera are already subject to international sanctions.
Separately, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which transports over 1% of global oil supplies, announced a suspension of operations after a mooring at a Russian terminal was damaged in a separate Ukrainian drone strike. Kazakhstan has deemed the targeting of the CPC terminal as ‘unacceptable.’
Ankara has expressed concerns following confirmation that the tanker attacks occurred within its exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, warning that such incidents ‘pose serious risks to the safety of navigation, lives, property, and the environment.’ A spokesperson for the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated that Ankara is in contact with relevant parties to prevent the escalation of the conflict.
