(BLACK SEA, TURKEY) – Ukrainian naval drones struck two oil tankers operating under sanctions in the Black Sea over the weekend, as they were en route to the major Russian oil terminal at Novorossiysk to load cargo destined for foreign markets. This aggressive action is Kyiv’s latest attempt to escalate pressure on Russia’s vast oil industry, which remains a crucial source of funding for the war effort despite international sanctions.
An official from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed on Saturday that the domestically produced Sea Baby naval drones were responsible for critically damaging the two sanctioned vessels, identified as the Kairos and the Virat. Both oil tankers, which are part of Russia’s so called “shadow fleet” used to circumvent Western sanctions, were sailing empty from Egypt toward the Novorossiysk terminal in Krasnodar Krai, Russia, at the time of the attacks. Video footage shared by the official purportedly shows the naval drones speeding towards the hulking tankers, followed by powerful explosions that caused fires on the vessels. The SBU source noted that targeting the tankers while they were empty limited the potential for an environmental disaster, while still dealing a significant blow to Russian oil transportation capacity.
The joint operation between the SBU and the Ukrainian Navy successfully disabled the vessels, which, according to the official, were capable of transporting oil with a combined market value of almost million per trip. This operation highlights the effectiveness of direct military action in disrupting Russia’s capacity to earn capital. The ongoing attacks contrast with the limitations of economic sanctions, which have been partially bypassed by the shadow fleet. This fleet consists of hundreds of often ageing, lightly regulated vessels that use opaque ownership structures and frequently switch flags to move Russian crude, posing significant environmental and navigational risks in international waters.
The Kairos, a 274 metre long tanker flagged to Gambia, reportedly suffered an explosion and caught fire on Friday evening while sailing in the Black Sea, approximately nautical miles ( kilometres) off the coast of Turkey’s Kocaeli province. Turkey’s Transport Ministry confirmed the incident, stating that the crew of 25 was safely evacuated by rescue boats while fire fighting efforts continued into Saturday. The Virat, also flagged to Gambia, was reportedly struck later on Friday, approximately nautical miles ( kilometres) off the Turkish coast, and sustained minor damage above the waterline after a reported drone attack. The vessel was struck again by unmanned vessels on Saturday morning, according to Turkish authorities, who confirmed the crew’s safety and the stability of the vessel. The Turkish government has expressed concern that these incidents, which occurred within its Exclusive Economic Zone, pose serious safety risks and has contacted all relevant parties to prevent the war from expanding across the Black Sea.
The attacks on the two vessels, which are listed on Western sanctions lists by entities including the US, EU, and UK for their role in transporting Russian oil, represent an expansion of Ukraine’s strategy of interdicting Russian naval capabilities and critical infrastructure. This approach follows earlier successful operations that have severely degraded the Russian Black Sea Fleet, which was forced to relocate its main headquarters from Sevastopol in Crimea to Novorossiysk, a port which is increasingly becoming an active war zone.
Furthermore, the attacks coincide with a separate incident at the Novorossiysk port, where the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which handles over one per cent of global oil, suspended loading operations after a naval drone damaged a mooring point, an attack also claimed by Ukraine.
The combined disruption to both the ‘shadow fleet’ and key port infrastructure indicate Ukraine’s determined campaign to target the financial and logistical pillars supporting the Russian dictator’s war. Russia has made no public comment on the tanker strikes.
