Explosions Rock Sanctioned Russian Tankers in Black Sea, Crews Rescued
Ankara/Istanbul, 28 November 2025 – Two oil tankers belonging to Russia’s sanctioned “shadow fleet” were rocked by powerful explosions in the Black Sea off Turkey’s northern coast on Friday, triggering fires on both vessels.
Turkish authorities said rescue operations were swiftly launched and all crew members from both ships have been safely evacuated. The Liberian-owned, Gambia-flagged 274-metre tanker Kairos suffered a major explosion while en route in ballast from Egypt to the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The vessel reported an “external impact” approximately 28 nautical miles off Turkey’s Black Sea coast, near the entrance to the Bosphorus Strait.
Thick black smoke and flames were seen billowing from the ship. Turkey’s Transport Ministry and Directorate General for Maritime Affairs confirmed that two fast rescue boats, a tugboat, and a dedicated emergency-response vessel were dispatched immediately. All 25 crew members aboard Kairos were rescued unharmed.
Second Tanker Struck, Crews Safe
A second tanker, the Virat, was struck roughly 35 nautical miles offshore, further east in the Black Sea. Heavy smoke was reported from its engine room, but the 20 personnel on board were reported to be in good condition. Rescue units and a nearby commercial vessel were sent to assist.
Both vessels appear on Western sanctions lists targeting Russia’s shadow fleet – ageing, often sub-standard tankers used to circumvent G7/EU oil-price caps and sanctions imposed after Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, according to LSEG shipping data.
Possible Cause of Explosions Revealed
Turkish officials and shipping sources said the most likely cause of at least the Kairos incident was the ship striking a drifting sea mine; several mines laid during the Russia-Ukraine war have broken free and been spotted in the Black Sea in recent years. Despite the incidents, maritime traffic through the strategically vital Bosphorus Strait continues normally, shipping agencies reported.
Tanker Virat Underway to Turkey
Turkish authorities report that the ship will reach port on December 1st. The Virat and the tanker Kairos were en route to Russia as they were attacked by Ukrainian drones off the Turkish coast.
Original Article: Two Sanctioned Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers Hit by Explosions in Black Sea, Crews Rescued — Greekcitytimes