Russian Shadow Fleet Crew Requests Assistance Before Drone Attack in Urgent Plea
On Saturday, an unmanned sea vehicle struck the Russian oil tanker, Virat, in the Black Sea. This incident follows a previous attack late Friday, where the tanker was reportedly targeted by unmanned maritime drones. The crew of the Virat raised a distress call, stating, “This is VIRAT. Help needed! Drone attack! Mayday!” This incident occurred approximately 35 nautical miles offshore, as confirmed by Turkey’s transport ministry.
Transport Minister Addresses Incident
Turkey’s Transport Minister, Abdulkadir Uraloglu, commented on the incident, stating that the term “external impact” implies the vessel was hit by a mine, a rocket, or a similar projectile, potentially including unmanned underwater vehicles. Fortunately, the Virat sustained minor damage and the crew is reported to be in good health.
Ukraine Claims Responsibility
The attack on the Russian “shadow fleet” vessels has been claimed by Ukraine, which is amid ongoing conflict with Russia. Reports indicate that Ukraine’s security service, SBU, alongside the Ukrainian navy, coordinated the operation targeting the Virat and another tanker, KAIROS. A spokesperson from the SBU noted that both tankers sustained significant damage, effectively rendering them inoperable and disrupting Russian oil transportation.
Details of the Attack
- Date of initial attack: Late Friday
- Date of second attack: Saturday
- Location: Approximately 35 nautical miles off the Black Sea coastline
- Vessels involved: Russian oil tankers Virat and KAIROS
- Type of vessels: Sanctioned under Western laws for transporting oil from Russia
- Estimated value of oil transport: $70 million
Footage shared by the SBU reportedly shows the drones targeting the two tankers, resulting in explosions. Both vessels are flagged by Gambia and are targeted by international sanctions that limit their oil transportation capacities. Ukraine continues to call for stricter measures against Russia’s shadow fleet, asserting that these operations fund Russia’s military activities despite existing sanctions.
