Ukrainian Naval Drone Strike Disables Russian Shadow Fleet Tankers
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported that Ukrainian Sea Baby naval drones struck two sanctioned Russian oil tankers, Kairos and Virat, on November 28, disabling vessels tied to the Kremlin’s shadow fleet. According to a SBU source, the operation targeted ships off Turkey’s Black Sea coast that could have transported nearly $70 million worth of oil and helped Moscow bypass international sanctions.
The source told the Kyiv Independent that both tankers were en route to the Russian port of Novorossiysk to load cargo and were empty at the time of the attack. The drones “successfully completed their work on the ships,” adding that the joint operation with the Ukrainian Navy dealt “a significant blow to Russian oil transportation.”
Critical Damage Inflicted on Targeted Tankers
Video provided by the source shows both tankers suffering critical damage. The blasts targeted vessels with a long history of sanctions evasion. Kairos was returning to Novorossiysk after delivering Urals crude to India, while Virat, sanctioned by the U.S. and EU for Russian oil transport, spent much of the year idle in the western Black Sea after being added to the U.S. sanctions list on January 10.
Turkish Foreign Ministry Expresses Concern
The Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement following the strikes on the tankers, which were both sailing under the Gambian flag. The ministry expressed “concern” for safety in the region. “These incidents, which occurred within Turkey’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea, have posed serious risks to the safety of navigation, life, property, and the environment in the region,” the ministry said.
Turkey’s Unique Position as Mediator
Turkey is one of the few countries to maintain direct contact with both Kyiv and Moscow since the full-scale invasion began in 2022. Leveraging its unique position on the Black Sea, Turkey acts as a mediator between both sides. The country controls the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits, making it the only NATO member able to restrict naval access to the Black Sea.
The operation targeted ships off Turkey’s Black Sea coast that could have transported nearly $70 million worth of oil and helped Moscow bypass international sanctions.
Original Article: ‘Successful’ Ukrainian naval drone strike disables 2 Russian shadow fleet tankers, source says — Kyivindependent