Ukraine Strikes Russian “Shadow Fleet” Tankers in Black Sea
The Security Service of Ukraine has announced that naval drones struck two sanctioned oil tankers, the Kairos and Virat, as they headed to a Russian port to load up with oil destined for foreign markets. The attack is part of Kyiv’s efforts to pressure Russia’s vast oil industry.
According to an official at the Security Service of Ukraine, the two oil tankers were empty and sailing to Novorossiysk, a major Russian Black Sea oil terminal. Video footage shared by the official showed naval drones speeding towards the hulking tankers followed by powerful explosions that caused fires on the vessels. The official claimed that after being hit, both tankers sustained critical damage and were effectively taken out of service.
The attack represents a different kind of strike, as Ukraine has been targeting Russian oil refineries for months using long-range aerial drones to strike far behind the front lines of Moscow’s full-scale war against Ukraine. This new tactic aims to deal a significant blow to Russian oil transportation.
Ukrainian Official Calls for Western Action Against “Shadow Fleet”
Kyiv has repeatedly called on the West to take real action against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which the Ukrainian government says is helping Moscow export large quantities of oil and fund its war in Ukraine despite Western sanctions. The fleet of hundreds of often aging, unregulated vessels came to prominence after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, bypassing Western sanctions aimed at reducing Moscow’s oil revenue.
Caspian Pipeline Consortium Halts Operations After Drone Attack
Separately, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which handles more than 1% of global oil, said it halted operations after a mooring at Russia’s Black Sea terminal was significantly damaged by a Ukrainian naval drone attack. CPC exports mainly from Kazakhstan via Russia and the Black Sea terminal. Kazakhstan called the attack unacceptable.
Ships on Sanctions List
Both the Kairos and Virat are on a list of ships subject to sanctions imposed against Russia following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to LSEG data. Turkey voiced concern over the attacks, saying the incidents took place in its Exclusive Economic Zone and posed serious safety risks.
Turkish Foreign Ministry Responds
Ankara is in contact with relevant parties to prevent the war from spreading in the Black Sea and to protect the country’s economic interests and operations in the region, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said in a post on X. There was no public comment from Russia.
Original Article: Ukraine hits two Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tankers with naval drones — Nbcnews