Ukraine Hits Two Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Oil Tankers with Naval Drones
KYIV, – Ukrainian naval drones hit two sanctioned tankers in the Black Sea as they headed to a Russian port to load up with oil destined for foreign markets, an official said on Saturday, as Kyiv tries to pile pressure on Russia’s vast oil industry.
The two oil tankers, identified as the Kairos and Virat, were empty and sailing to Novorossiysk, a major Russian Black Sea oil terminal, the official at the Security Service of Ukraine told Reuters. The vessels were part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which has been accused of helping Moscow export large quantities of oil and fund its war in Ukraine despite Western sanctions.
Naval Drones Strike Tankers
Naval drones could be seen speeding towards hulking tankers followed by powerful explosions that caused fires on the vessels, video footage shared by the official showed. The strikes represent a different kind of attack from Ukraine‘s usual long-range aerial drone strikes on Russian oil refineries.
“Video shows that after being hit, both tankers sustained critical damage and were effectively taken out of service. This will deal a significant blow to Russian oil transportation,” the official said in a written statement.
Impact on Russia’s Oil Industry
Ukraine has been attacking Russian oil refineries for months, using long-range aerial drones to strike far behind the front lines of Moscow’s full-scale war against Ukraine. The strikes on the tankers represent a different kind of attack and are part of Kyiv’s efforts to pressure Russia’s vast oil industry.
Kyiv has repeatedly called on the West to take real action against Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which the Ukrainian government says is helping Moscow export large quantities of oil and fund its war in Ukraine despite Western sanctions. The fleet of hundreds of often ageing, unregulated vessels came to prominence after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, bypassing Western sanctions aimed at reducing Moscow’s oil revenue.
International Reaction
Separately, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which handles more than 1% of global oil, said on Saturday it halted operations after a mooring at Russia’s Black Sea terminal was significantly damaged by a Ukrainian naval drone attack. CPC exports mainly from Kazakhstan via Russia and the Black Sea terminal. Kazakhstan called the attack unacceptable.
Turkey voiced concern over the attacks, saying the incidents took place in its Exclusive Economic Zone and posed serious safety risks. Ankara is in contact with relevant parties to prevent the war from spreading in the Black Sea and to protect the country’s economic interests and operations in the region, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said in a post on X.
The Ukrainian official did not say when the Ukrainian strikes took place. There was no public comment from Russia.
Original Article: Ukraine hits two Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tankers with naval drones — Hindustantimes