Ukraine Claims Attack on Two Russian “Ghost Fleet” Oil Tankers in the Black Sea
On Saturday, Ukraine announced it had attacked two oil tankers in the Black Sea. The operation targeted vessels being utilized by Russia to evade Western sanctions. This news comes amid ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Details of the Attack
According to a senior source in the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU), the tankers targeted were the Kairos and the Virat. These vessels were struck by naval drones dubbed “Sea Baby” during a coordinated effort between the SBU and the Ukrainian navy.
Turkey’s Ministry of Transport, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, confirmed that the Virat was targeted by a drone on Friday and was hit again on Saturday morning. The assault occurred approximately 35 nautical miles (about 65 kilometers) off the Turkish coast in a special economic zone, not within Turkish territorial waters.
Impact on the Tankers
- The Virat sustained minor damage to its starboard side above the waterline.
- No fire was reported, and the crew onboard is safe.
- The Kairos experienced a fire after an explosion occurred Friday night, 28 miles (around 52 km) off the coast of Turkey.
- All 25 crew members from the Kairos were evacuated safely.
Images shared by the Turkish Maritime Authority showed the Kairos engulfed in flames and surrounded by thick black smoke. Both tankers were reportedly empty at the time of the attacks.
Background Information
The Kairos and the Virat are subject to Western sanctions due to their involvement in transporting oil from Russian ports. This trade is prohibited following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Both vessels were en route to the port of Novorossiisk, located on the northeast coast of the Black Sea, where they were scheduled to be reloaded. Following the drone attack, activities at an important oil terminal near the port were halted due to damage to one of its three berths.
Environmental experts and divers are prepared to be dispatched to the site once the fire aboard the Kairos is extinguished. Currently, Turkish authorities report no pollution has been observed around the vessel.
Conclusion
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues to escalate, with naval operations targeting Russian resources in response to the invasion. Ukraine’s latest actions highlight its commitment to countering Moscow’s attempts to bypass sanctions.
