Ukraine’s Sea Baby Drones Strike Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers in Black Sea
According to sources in Ukraine‘s Security Service (SBU), sea drones known as Sea Baby successfully engaged two sanctioned oil tankers belonging to Russia‘s shadow fleet in the Black Sea. The operation was a joint effort between the SBU’s 13th Main Directorate of Military Counterintelligence and the Ukrainian Navy.
The modernized Sea Baby sea drones, capable of covering long distances and equipped with reinforced warheads, struck the Kairos and Virat tankers. Video footage shows that both vessels suffered critical damage and were put out of operation, significantly impacting the transportation of Russian oil.
SBU Targets Sanctioned Vessels
The sanctioned vessels, empty and headed to load cargo at the port of Novorossiysk, were targeted by the SBU as part of its efforts to cut Russia‘s financial capabilities to wage war against Ukraine. The attack disabled vessels that could carry oil worth nearly $70 million and were helping the Kremlin circumvent international sanctions.
An informed SBU source stated, “The SBU continues active measures to cut Russia‘s financial capabilities to wage war against Ukraine. Sea Baby sea drones disabled vessels that could carry oil worth nearly $70 million and were helping the Kremlin circumvent international sanctions.”
Background: Explosions on Russian Tankers
Earlier reports indicated explosions occurred on two tankers belonging to Russia‘s shadow fleet in the Black Sea near the Bosporus Strait, causing the vessels to catch fire. The Turkish Ministry of Transport clarified that an explosion and fire occurred while the 274-meter tanker Kairos was traveling from Egypt to the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The incident happened 28 nautical miles from the Turkish coast.
Another tanker, Virat, was affected by an explosion approximately 35 nautical miles from the Turkish coast, slightly east in the Black Sea. Virat tanker of Russia‘s shadow fleet, which caught fire yesterday, November 28, after explosions near the Bosporus, was attacked again in the morning.
Original Article: Ukraine hits Russia’s shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea with naval drones, sources say — Rbc