Ukraine Targets Shadow Fleet Tanker in Mediterranean
Ukraine has launched a drone attack on the Oman-flagged crude oil tanker Qendil (imo-9310525/”>IMO: imo-9310525/”>9310525) while it was sailing in the Mediterranean, according to Ukrainian media citing sources from the Ukrainian Security Services.
The reported attack occurred at 1100 hrs GMT, with RBC-Ukraine sharing a video of the incident showing a hexacopter drone being used in the strike. The Qendil, built in 2006 and measuring 115,338 dwt, was heading west in the Mediterranean between Malta and Crete until it made a U-turn right before midnight on December 18, changing its destination to Port Said in Egypt.
Drone Strike Marks Expansion of Ukraine’s Maritime Operations
A security source told Lloyd’s List that a type of hexacopter drone was launched from a short distance, either from another vessel or from a neighboring country. The attack marked the first confirmed Ukrainian strike this far from the Black Sea theatre, according to security firm Vanguard.
Vanguard noted in a statement that this development reflected “a stark expansion of Ukraine’s use of uncrewed aerial systems against maritime assets associated with Russia’s sanctioned oil export network.” The company emphasized that this escalation should be a serious wake-up call for the maritime industry, underscoring the urgent need for dynamic risk assessments.
Qendil‘s Sanctioned Status and Connection to Russian Shadow Fleet
The Qendil is sanctioned by the EU and the UK, and is part of Russia’s shadow fleet. Lloyd’s List defines a tanker as being part of the Shadow Fleet if it engages in one or more deceptive shipping practices indicating that it is involved in the facilitation of sanctioned oil cargoes from Iran, Russia, or Venezuela.
According to its AIS data, the Qendil made a U-turn right before midnight on December 18 and turned towards the east, changing its destination to Port Said in Egypt. The reason for this U-turn remains unknown.
Ukraine’s Claimed Drone Attacks on Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers
This is not the first time Ukraine has claimed drone attacks on Russian shadow fleet tankers. In November, Ukraine claimed drone attacks on two Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea through SBU sources. This latest attack marks the first time Ukraine has claimed an attack on a vessel in the Mediterranean.
Maritime Industry Warned of Escalation
A security source told Lloyd’s List that the drone strike far from the traditional Black Sea theatre should be a serious wake-up call for the maritime industry. If confirmed, the use of a short-range, vessel-launched or coastal drone platform would mark a significant escalation, not just in capability but in geography, signaling that commercial shipping linked to strategic energy flows may now face risk well beyond declared conflict zones.
The Qendil is empty at the time of the attack and has suffered critical damage, making it unable to be used for its intended purpose anymore.
Original Article: Ukraine targets shadow fleet tanker in Mediterranean — Lloyd’s List