Ukrainian Military Strikes Russian Oil Tanker in Black Sea
The Ukranian military said it struck an oil tanker transporting Russian oil in the Black Sea. The tanker Marquise, which flies a Cameroonian flag and carries Russian oil, was struck while likely waiting for a ship-to-ship transfer of petroleum products.
According to the Ukrainian General Staff, the Marquise was hit with two “kamikaze” drones, targeting the vessel’s stern section, which contains the engine room. The tanker has the capacity to hold 37,000 tons of oil, and the extent of damage is still being assessed.
Russian Regions Hit by Drone Attacks
Air raid alerts were issued in several Russian regions on Wednesday following drone attacks targeting facilities in the Russian cities of Orsk and Perm. Officials reported that a Ukrainian drone attack sparked fires in both cities.
In Perm Krai, Governor Dmitry Makhonin said a drone hit one of the industrial sites in the Perm municipal district, sparking a fire. Ukraine’s Security Services confirmed its military struck an oil pumping facility, with nearly all of the facility’s oil tanks set on fire. Workers were evacuated from the site, and no casualties were reported.
Regional Authorities Respond to Threats
Artem Vorobiev, head of Orsk, warned residents of further drone attack threats to the city. “We ask residents not to panic and to follow the procedures for drone attacks. Please do not go outside or approach windows,” he said. The airport in Orsk has introduced temporary restrictions on arrivals and departures.
Russia earlier on Wednesday reported its air defenses intercepted a barrage of Ukrainian drones targeting Astrakhan, Belgorod, Volgograd, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov, and Saratov oblasts, as well as Russian-occupied Crimea.
Original Article: Russian oil tanker struck in devastating attack as war of the seas heats up — The-Express