Ukrainian naval drones struck two oil tankers associated with Russia's so-called shadow fleet in the Black Sea, as reported by Ukrainian officials. Verified footage reveals the drones speeding toward the vessels, resulting in spectacular explosions and substantial flames.
The targeted tankers, identified by Turkish authorities as the Kairos and Virat, were attacked while off the Turkish coast on Friday, with the Virat undergoing a second strike on Saturday. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in these incidents.
This action signifies a strategic escalation by Ukraine, aimed at crippling Russia's oil export revenues, which are vital for funding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Both vessels form part of Russia's shadow fleet—a collective term for the hundreds of tankers employed by Russia to evade Western sanctions that have been enforced since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Many of these vessels are aged and feature ambiguous ownership or insurance arrangements.
The two ships were reportedly struck in different areas of the Black Sea, with the action sending a clear signal from Ukraine indicating that ships transporting Russian oil risk direct assault, apart from merely facing sanctions.
Sources indicated that Sea Baby drones, a product of Ukraine's security services, were utilized in these strikes. Concurrently, Turkish authorities disclosed their involvement in emergencies, engaging their boats to extinguish the fire from the attack on the Kairos.
These drone strikes are indicative of Ukraine's evolving tactics to confront the Russian maritime presence and further disrupt global oil logistics associated with the Russian economy.
In another dimension of the conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced a high-level delegation is en route to the US to seek an agreement aimed at ceasing hostilities. The delegation will be spearheaded by Rustem Umerov, marking a significant political maneuver in light of recent leadership changes within Ukraine's negotiation team.
