Explosions Rock Black Sea as Ukrainian Forces Target Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tankers
The Turkish government has confirmed that explosions occurred one after another on two tankers in the Black Sea, with Ukrainian media reporting that their country’s forces attacked the vessels due to suspicions they were Russian oil tankers evading international sanctions.
According to Turkey’s transport and infrastructure ministry, the explosions took place off the Turkish coast, resulting in all crew members safely evacuating. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of navigation, life, property, and the environment in the region.
Ukrainian Security Service Claims Responsibility for Attack
Ukrainian media outlets have reported that the country’s security service struck the tankers with naval drones in a joint operation with the Ukrainian Navy. The reports claim that the vessels were en route to a port in southern Russia and were believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” a group of ships carrying Russian crude oil to bypass international sanctions.
Footage shows a naval drone hitting one of the tankers, causing a massive explosion and intense fire, with a plume of black smoke. The reports suggest that the targeted ships could have been transporting crude oil worth 70 million dollars.
Turkish Foreign Ministry Warns of Serious Risks
The Turkish foreign ministry has issued a statement on Saturday, confirming that the explosions occurred within Turkey’s exclusive economic zone. It emphasized that the incident poses serious risks to the safety of navigation, life, property, and the environment in the region.
As the situation continues to unfold, international observers are closely monitoring developments in the Black Sea, where tensions between Ukraine and Russia have been escalating in recent months.
Original Article: Ukrainian media report attacks on 2 Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tankers in Black Sea — Or