Ukraine Disables Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Vessel with Sea Drones in Black Sea
Ukrainian sea drones hit the Dashan tanker in the Black Sea, disabling it and marking the third attack on Russia‘s “shadow fleet” in two weeks.
The strike damaged the tanker’s stern and increased war insurance costs for Black Sea shipping, prompting daily policy reviews by insurers. The SBU aims to cut Russian petrodollar revenues, while Putin threatened to sever Ukraine‘s Black Sea access in response to the attacks.
According to a Ukrainian official, the Dashan tanker was sailing at maximum speed with its transponders off when powerful explosions hit its stern, inflicting critical damage on the vessel. He made no mention of possible casualties in the incident.
The strike on the Dashan, which is under European Union and British sanctions and is sailing without a known flag registry, was also confirmed by three maritime security sources. There was no immediate comment from Russia on the incident.
Naval drones could be seen speeding towards the hulking tanker followed by powerful explosions as they reached it, video footage provided by the official showed. Reuters was able to verify it was the Dashan tanker in the video by comparing the deck, cranes, and structures with file imagery. The location and date were confirmed by the SBU source’s account and ship tracking data.
“The SBU continues to take active measures to reduce petrodollar revenues to the Russian budget,” said the official. “Over the past two weeks, this is the third tanker of the shadow fleet put out of action that had helped the Kremlin circumvent international sanctions.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, threatened last week to sever Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea in response to the attacks on tankers, which he derided as piracy.
Ukraine has been attacking Russian oil refineries for months, using long-range aerial drones to strike far behind the front lines of Moscow’s war against Ukraine. The strikes on the tankers represent a different line of attack.
European leaders discuss Ukraine with Trump at ‘critical moment’ for peace Ukraine says Russia launches large mechanised assault in Pokrovsk There have been at least seven blasts on other tankers that called at Russian ports since December 2024 at locations including in the Mediterranean. Ukraine is suspected of carrying out those attacks using limpet mines, maritime security sources said, but Kyiv has not confirmed or denied any role.
Original Article: Ukraine disables Russian ‘shadow fleet’ vessel with sea drones in Black Sea | The Straits Times — Straitstimes