Sea Baby Drones Strike Third Tanker in Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Sea Baby unmanned surface drones of Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) struck the Russian shadow fleet’s tanker Dashan (imo-9299666/”>IMO imo-9299666/”>9299666) in the Black Sea. According to volunteer Serhiy Sternenko, the vessel was sailing under the flag of the Comoros and was moving through Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone toward the port terminal in Russian Novorossiysk.
The operation was carried out jointly by the SSU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence and the Ukrainian Navy. The tanker was traveling at maximum speed with its transponder switched off, complicating its identification and tracking.
Critical Damage Caused by Sea Baby Drone Strike
As a result of the strike, the Dashan sustained critical damage. According to preliminary information, the vessel is disabled and unable to continue its voyage. The Russian pro-war Telegram channel Rybar claimed the tanker was hit 160 km from Feodosia in occupied Crimea.
Dashan is a crude oil tanker built in 2005. It sails under the flag of the Comoros. The vessel is about 275 meters long, 50 meters wide, and has a draft of 15.7 meters. Its deadweight capacity exceeds 164,000 tons, allowing it to carry large volumes of oil.
Dashan‘s Role in Russia’s Shadow Fleet
Dashan is regularly recorded in the Mediterranean and Black seas. International organizations, including Greenpeace, classify the vessel as part of the “shadow fleet” transporting Russian oil. The vessel’s involvement in this shadowy network highlights its importance in bypassing international sanctions against Russia.
The strike on Dashan marks the third attack on a Russian tanker in recent months, further disrupting Moscow’s efforts to circumvent global restrictions. As tensions escalate, Ukraine’s Sea Baby drones continue to play a crucial role in countering Russia’s clandestine oil transportation operations.
Original Article: Sea Baby Drones Hit Third Tanker of Russia’s Shadow Fleet in Black Sea — Militarnyi