Ukraine Strikes Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker in Mediterranean
Ukraine has expanded its campaign against Russian oil by striking a Russian “shadow fleet” oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea with aerial drones for the first time. The vessel, the Qendil, was empty when it was struck, sustaining critical damage.
The attack marks a significant escalation of Ukraine‘s efforts to disrupt Russia‘s ability to export oil and fund its war effort. The Qendil was located off Libya’s coast at 1330 GMT, MarineTraffic data showed. The Ukrainian official who spoke about the attack did not provide exact details on when or where the strike occurred.
The use of aerial drones in this attack is a new development for Ukraine, which has previously used them to target Russian oil refineries and tankers. This marks the first time Ukraine has employed drones against a tanker in the Mediterranean, a significant expansion of its campaign.
Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’ Under Fire
Russia‘s “shadow fleet” refers to unregulated ships that Kyiv says are helping Moscow export large quantities of oil and fund its war effort despite Western sanctions. The Qendil is part of this fleet, and its attack highlights Ukraine‘s growing efforts to target these vessels.
The strike on the Qendil is notable not only because it was further away in the Mediterranean but also because it used aerial drones. This development reflects a stark expansion of Ukraine‘s use of uncrewed aerial systems against maritime assets associated with Russia‘s sanctioned oil export network, according to British maritime risk-management group Vanguard.
Multi-Stage Measures
The Ukrainian official did not provide details on how the drones reached the ship but said the operation involved “multi-stage” measures. The SBU, Ukraine‘s vast security agency behind the attack, has conducted highly sophisticated attacks against Russia, including smuggling in dozens of drones for an operation to destroy strategic bombers at air bases far beyond the front in June.
The strike on the Qendil is part of a broader campaign by Ukraine to disrupt Russia‘s oil exports and fund its war effort. This includes attacks on Russian oil refineries and tankers, as well as claims of credit for sea-drone attacks on three tankers in the Black Sea.
International Reactions
There was no fresh comment from Moscow on the latest attack. The international community has been watching Ukraine‘s campaign against Russia‘s oil exports with interest, with some countries expressing concern about the potential impact on global energy markets.
India is a major consumer of Russian oil, although it has faced pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to curb its purchases to reduce the oil revenue that Ukraine says is fuelling Russia‘s full-scale war. The Qendil was en route to the Russian port of Ust Luga in the Baltic Sea from the Indian port of Sikka, MarineTraffic data showed.
The strike on the Qendil highlights the growing intensity of Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil shipping and its willingness to expand its campaign beyond the Black Sea. As tensions between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate, it remains to be seen how this latest development will impact global energy markets and international relations.
Original Article: Ukraine strikes Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tanker in Mediterranean — Reuters