Ukraine Claims Responsibility for Naval-Drone Strike on Russian-Linked Tanker in Black Sea
Ukraine has claimed responsibility for a new naval-drone strike on a Russian-linked tanker operating in the Black Sea, targeting what Kyiv describes as Moscow’s expanding “shadow fleet” used to transport sanctioned oil. The incident marks the latest escalation in Ukraine’s maritime campaign.
According to a Ukrainian security source, Kyiv’s naval drones struck the Dashan oil tanker, sailing under the Comoros flag, and that the vessel “suffered critical damage.” The tanker was identified by Ukraine‘s military intelligence service (GUR) as part of Russia‘s covert transport network that seeks to evade international sanctions.
Ukrainian Maritime Campaign Escalates
The attack on the Dashan follows a series of Ukrainian naval-drone operations carried out on November 29, 2025, targeting tankers accused of ferrying sanctioned Russian oil. According to a senior source in Ukraine‘s SBU security service, modernized Sea Baby drones struck two vessels—the Virat and the Kairos—in separate nighttime operations.
Video released by Ukrainian security bodies showed drones skimming across the water before detonating against the hulls of the tankers. Turkish authorities later confirmed both incidents. The Kairos, sailing under a Gambian flag, caught fire 28 nautical miles off Kocaeli, while the Firat (identified by Ukraine as Virat) suffered an engine-room blast 35 nautical miles offshore.
Regional Concerns and Diplomatic Tensions
The attacks are part of Kyiv’s strategy to undermine Moscow’s energy revenues. Ukrainian officials insist the targeted tankers were operating as part of Russia‘s sanctions-evading network, and are under Western restrictions for handling illicit oil shipments. The Black Sea has become an increasingly dangerous theater since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In addition to drifting sea mines, NATO members Türkiye, Romania, and Bulgaria established a joint mine-countermeasures task group in 2024 to manage the growing maritime hazards. But the direct targeting of commercial tankers represents a new dimension. Unlike passive mine threats, Ukraine‘s Sea Baby drone strikes extend the conflict into international waters—bringing heightened risks near a NATO member’s coastline.
Regional Stability and Maritime Safety
Türkiye, which controls the Bosphorus Strait and maintains relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, has stressed the importance of regional stability and the safety of civilian shipping lanes. The country’s Ministry of Transport described the fires as resulting from “external factors”, saying the damage was consistent with strikes from a mine, missile, drone, or unmanned watercraft.
The attacks on the Virat and Kairos prompted diplomatic concern in Ankara and required large-scale emergency responses from Turkish authorities. The Black Sea remains a flashpoint where economic warfare, regional security, and geopolitical diplomacy intersect.
Original Article: Ukraine Hits Another Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker in Black Sea — Kurdistan24