Ukraine Strikes Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker South of Crete
For the first time, Ukraine‘s Security Service (@ServiceSsu) has struck a tanker belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet in neutral waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The SSU’s elite Alpha unit targeted the tanker QENDIL (imo-9310525/”>IMO imo-9310525/”>9310525) using aerial drones while it was sailing in international waters.
The strike coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s annual end-of-year press conference, highlighting Kyiv’s growing capability to target Russian oil shipments far from home waters. The Qendil is part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a collection of unregulated vessels used by Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to evade international sanctions and continue exporting oil.
Targeting Russia’s Shadow Fleet
The Qendil was sailing off the coast of Crete, parallel to Libya’s coast, en route from India‘s Sikka port to Russia’s Ust Luga port in the Baltic Sea. India remains a significant consumer of Russian oil, though U.S. pressure aims to curb its purchases. Ukrainian officials say these tankers help Moscow generate revenue to fund its ongoing war in Ukraine despite Western sanctions.
MarineTraffic tracking data showed the Qendil sailing off the coast of Crete, parallel to Libya’s coast, en route from India‘s Sikka port to Russia’s Ust Luga port in the Baltic Sea. India remains a significant consumer of Russian oil, though U.S. pressure aims to curb its purchases.
A Long-Range, Multi-Stage Operation
The operation reflects a major escalation in Ukraine‘s maritime tactics. As reported in Reuters, British maritime risk-management firm Vanguard described the strike as a “stark expansion of Ukraine’s use of uncrewed aerial systems against maritime assets associated with Russia’s sanctioned oil export network.” The Ukrainian official noted that the attack involved “multi-stage measures,” though precise operational details were not disclosed.
Earlier in 2025, Ukraine reportedly smuggled drones deep into Russia to destroy strategic bombers at air bases, demonstrating its growing long-range strike capabilities.
Vessels Mentioned
- QENDIL (imo-9310525/”>IMO: imo-9310525/”>9310525)
Original Article: Ukraine Strikes Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker South of Crete — Tovima