Ship Ablaze Near Sochi, Russian Authorities Silent
A Liberia-flagged tanker, Aframax Rea, is reportedly ablaze near the Russian port city of Sochi, according to Russian independent media Novaya Gazeta Europe. The incident was first reported on October 6, with videos published on social media showing fire and thick black smoke above the city.
The ship’s location was last tracked by online marine traffic data provider MarineTraffic approximately 23 hours prior to the reported blaze, near the border between Russia and Georgia in Nizhneimeretinskaya Bay. The vessel is a large crude oil tanker that was included on Ukraine’s sanctions list as part of Russia’s shadow fleet on February 12, 2026.
Ukrainian Drone Attacks Target Sochi
Sochi has been increasingly targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks over the past year. In September alone, strikes were reported on the port and an oil depot. The city is approximately 650-700 kilometers from the Ukrainian border in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai region.
Merchant Vessels Hit by Drones
Earlier on October 6, a Russian strike was reported on a merchant vessel flying the Marshall Islands flag in the Black Sea, killing at least one crew member and injuring several others. The vessel was carrying rapeseed oil and suffered damage, with a fire breaking out in the superstructure.
Separately, two merchant ships, the Togo-flagged Alfa Watan and the Palau-flagged Able, were hit by drones of unknown origin approximately 112 kilometers off Bulgaria’s coast on October 6. The incident is believed to be the first reported drone attack on commercial shipping inside Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone.
President Zelensky Denies Ukrainian Involvement
In a post on Telegram on October 6, President Volodymyr Zelensky denied that Ukrainian forces were behind the strikes near Bulgaria.
Russian Attacks Intensify in Odesa Region
Since mid-July, Russia has intensified its attacks on Odesa’s ports and adjacent infrastructure. Although the ports remain technically open, fewer ships now dare to enter this new maritime kill zone. According to Dmytro Barinov, president of the Ukrainian Ports Association Ukrport, “The ports are almost blocked.”
Original Article: Shadow fleet tanker reportedly ablaze near Russian port city Sochi — Kyivindependent