Ukrainian Navy Strikes Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker with Sea Drone Attack
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has launched a naval drone strike against a Comoros-flagged oil tanker, Dashan, which was part of Russia’s “shadow fleet” and sailing through Ukraine’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. The attack is the third on Russian tankers in two weeks, aimed at disrupting Moscow’s ability to export oil around the world.
The SBU source reported that the ship had its automatic identification system switched off at the time of the strike, which occurred on Wednesday. Footage of the blast shows an explosion at the rear of the ship, inflicting critical damage on the vessel. The ship is under EU and British sanctions, and Moscow has not commented on the incident.
The SBU continues to take active measures to reduce petrodollar revenues to the Russian budget, according to 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,” said the official.
Putin Threatens to Cut Ukraine’s Access to Black Sea
In response to the attacks on Russian tankers, Vladimir Putin threatened last week to cut Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea. The Russian president vowed that Russia would intensify attacks on Ukrainian facilities and vessels. “The most radical solution is to cut Ukraine off from the sea, then piracy will be impossible in principle,” Putin said in televised remarks.
Economic Impact of Attacks
The SBU estimates the Dashan to be worth around $30m (£22.4m). The vessel can carry roughly $60m worth of oil goods on a single voyage. Canada, Australia, and Switzerland have also previously imposed sanctions on the vessel over its role in transporting Russian oil and operating with its identification systems turned off.
The attacks on Russian oil facilities and transport methods now form a key part of Kyiv’s defence strategy as it looks to inflict economic damage. Ukrainian forces have targeted Russian oil refineries using long-range aerial drones to strike deep inside Russian territory. Since 2024, there have been at least seven other attacks on tankers calling at Russian ports, including in the Mediterranean Sea.
Business Impact
Former SBU officer Ivan Stupak said the attacks are an attempt to “scare tanker owners away from entering the Black Sea ports of the Russian Federation and from loading Russian oil there”, a business he told The Kyiv Independent is “very lucrative” for the vessels.
Original Article: Ukrainian navy cripples Russian shadow fleet tanker with sea drone strike — Aol