Underwater Drones Used in Joint Operation by Ukrainian Security Services and Navy
Ukrainian underwater drones have struck two tankers belonging to Russia‘s so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea, according to an official in Ukraine‘s security services (SBU). The attacks occurred on Friday and Saturday, with both vessels sustaining critical damage.
The SBU reported that Sea Baby maritime drones were used in a joint operation by the SBU and the Ukrainian navy. There was no immediate comment from Russia. According to a Ukrainian security source, the attacks will deal a significant blow to the transportation of Russian oil.
Tankers Sustain Critical Damage
Both tankers, the Virat and Kairos, sustained critical damage, with the Virat being attacked again on Saturday after first sustaining damage on Friday. The Turkish Transport Ministry reported that minor damage was sustained above the waterline, with no fire occurring. The vessel is approximately 30 miles off the Turkish coast.
The Virat‘s destination was unclear, as it awaited orders in the Black Sea. It was sanctioned by the United States in January and later by the United Kingdom and European Union this year. Shipping data showed that the Kairos, which carries Russian crude oil, had been evacuated after an explosion on Friday. The Turkish Transport ministry expressed concern over the attacks, citing serious risks to navigation, life, property, and the environment.
Pipeline Attack Also Occurs
In a separate incident, a marine drone attacked a mooring point in Novorossiysk early Saturday, according to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium. This attack disrupted oil exports from Kazakhstan through Russia to customers overseas. Kazakhstan’s energy ministry activated a plan to redirect export oil volumes to alternative routes.
Kazakhstan’s foreign affairs ministry issued a statement protesting “yet another deliberate attack” on the pipeline, stating that it harmed relations between the central Asian nation and Ukraine. Novorossiysk has been attacked by Ukrainian drones multiple times, with CNN reaching out to Ukraine’s security services for comment.
Original Article: Ukraine says it hit Russian ‘shadow fleet’ tankers with underwater blasts in Black Sea — Cnn