Ukrainian Naval Drones Strike Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tankers in Black Sea
Ukrainian naval drones have hit two sanctioned oil tankers in the Black Sea as they headed to a Russian port, an official said. The two tankers, identified as the Kairos and Virat, were empty and sailing to Novorossiysk, a major Russian Black Sea oil terminal.
The official at the Security Service of Ukraine stated that the tankers were due to load up with oil destined for foreign markets. Video footage shared by the official showed naval drones speeding towards hulking tankers followed by powerful explosions that caused fires on the vessels. Reuters could not independently verify the identity of the tankers in the clips or the location and date of the footage.
Critical Damage Caused to Tankers
The official said, “Video shows that after being hit, both tankers sustained critical damage and were effectively taken out of service. This will deal a significant blow to Russian oil transportation.” The strikes on the tankers represent a different kind of attack compared to Ukraine’s previous efforts targeting Russian oil refineries using long-range aerial drones.
Western Sanctions Targeted by Russia’s ‘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 ageing, unregulated vessels came to prominence after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, bypassing Western sanctions aimed at reducing Moscow’s oil revenue.
Global Security Threatened by Russian Response
Separately, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which handles more than 1 per cent of global oil, said on Saturday it halted operations after a mooring at Russia’s Black Sea terminal was significantly damaged by a Ukrainian naval drone attack. Russia has notified all international platforms about the attack and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova commented that Ukraine’s actions now pose a threat to global security.
International Reactions
Kazakhstan, which exports mainly from Kazakhstan via Russia and the Black Sea terminal, called the attack unacceptable. The country’s foreign ministry said it was protesting “over yet another deliberate attack on the critical infrastructure of the international Caspian Pipeline Consortium in the waters of the Port of Novorossiysk”. Türkiye voiced concern over the attacks, saying the incidents took place in its Exclusive Economic Zone and posed serious safety risks.
Original Article: Ukraine hits two Russian ‘shadow fleet’ oil tankers with naval drones in the Black Sea — Net