Two Russian shadow fleet tankers were set ablaze in the Black Sea on Friday following suspected strikes by Ukrainian naval drones near the Turkish coast. The incidents prompted extensive rescue operations, successfully evacuating all crew members as Turkish authorities worked to extinguish the fires. The Security Service of Ukraine claimed responsibility, stating that the attacks were carried out in coordination with the Ukrainian Navy using “Sea Baby” naval drones.
Details of the Attacks
The first incident involved the Kairos, a 274-meter tanker traveling from Egypt to Russia’s Novorossiysk port. An explosion occurred approximately 28 nautical miles offshore, resulting in a significant fire. The Turkish Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure confirmed that all 25 crew members were safely evacuated by teams from the General Directorate of Coastal Safety. In a statement, the ministry noted, “During the Egypt-Russia voyage, the personnel on the KAIROS tanker, where a fire broke out due to an explosion, have been safely evacuated by our teams.”
Turkish rescue vessels, including the tug Kurtarma-12 and the emergency response vessel Nene Hatun, worked overnight to combat the blaze. As of the latest updates, the open deck fire was completely extinguished, though efforts to cool the enclosed areas were ongoing.
Later the same day, a second tanker, the Virat, was struck approximately 35 nautical miles offshore. Heavy smoke was detected in the engine room, but all 20 crew members were reported to be safe. Turkish rescue units and a commercial vessel were dispatched to assist in the situation. The situation escalated on Saturday when the Virat faced a second attack by unmanned vessels, sustaining minor damage to its starboard side above the waterline. The Turkish ministry reported that despite this, “the vessel is maintaining its stable condition” and “the crew’s health condition is good.”
Impact of the Strikes
Both vessels are currently under international sanctions due to their roles in transporting Russian oil. The Kairos is sanctioned by the UK and EU, while the Virat has faced sanctions from the US and EU. According to a representative from the Security Service of Ukraine, the attacks were aimed at disrupting oil shipments destined for foreign markets. “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 official stated.
The incidents also reflect growing concerns regarding Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” comprising vessels that operate outside of normal regulatory oversight. Michelle Wiese Bockmann, a maritime intelligence analyst at Windward AI, noted that the Kairos was recently removed from the Gambian ship registry for fraudulently issued certificates. “This vessel is flagless, stateless, and any insurance and class are invalidated by the fact that it’s falsely purporting to fly the flag of Gambia,” Bockmann explained.
These attacks mark a significant escalation in Ukraine’s campaign against Russian energy infrastructure. While Ukraine has targeted oil refineries with long-range aerial drones for months, the strikes on tankers at sea represent a new tactical approach. Unmanned naval drones have become a crucial component of Ukraine’s counteroffensive efforts in the Black Sea, contributing to the pushback against Russia’s naval presence.
In a related development, operations at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which manages over 1% of global oil transportation, were halted on Saturday after a Ukrainian drone attack damaged a mooring at Russia’s Black Sea terminal. The consortium primarily exports oil from Kazakhstan through Russia, with Kazakhstan’s government deeming the attack unacceptable.
As firefighting efforts continued, Turkish environmental teams and divers remained on standby in the area for inspection. Notably, the incidents did not disrupt shipping traffic through the Bosphorus Strait, which maintained normal operations.
